260 likes | 397 Views
Building the Numbers. Jane Imrie Executive Director NCETM October 22 2008 London. Supporting the prime factors. ?. But what is mathematics?. Understanding mathematics is the difference between life and death…. Marcus du Sautoy, The Story of Maths, 2008. What is Mathematics?.
E N D
Building the Numbers Jane Imrie Executive Director NCETM October 22 2008 London Supporting the prime factors
But what is mathematics? Understanding mathematics is the difference between life and death…. Marcus du Sautoy, The Story of Maths, 2008
What is Mathematics? • Mathematics is a creative discipline. The language of mathematics is international. The subject transcends cultural boundaries and its importance is universally recognised. Mathematics has developed over time as a means of solving problems and also for its own sake. Mathematics can stimulate moments of pleasure and wonder when pupils solve a problem for the first time, discover a more elegant solution, or notice hidden connections.
In London • Approx 6000 skills for life teachers Only about 11% numeracy Fewer than half qualified 2006
What are the drivers? • 15-year olds in the UK fell from 8th place in 2003 to 24th in 2006 in the Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) mathematics tests. • The CBI's director-general, Richard Lambert, said, "At a time of increasing global competition, the UK cannot afford to be 'average'. • We need a renewed sense of urgency in tackling the UK's under-performance in literacy and numeracy." Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) survey
The Sainsbury Review Sainsbury (2007)The Race to the top; a review of the government’s science and innovation policies. London: TSO ....demand for skills will grow inexorably It is essential that we raise the level of our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills
Leitch Review of Skills (2006) Prosperity for all in the global economy – world class skills. London: TSO Without functional literacy and numeracy skills, people will find it increasingly difficult to do their jobs effectively and to progress to the higher levels of skills that the UK’s prosperity will increasingly depend on.
2020 ambition World Class Skills: 2020 ambition • “95 per cent of adults to have the basic skills of functional literacy and numeracy, up from 85 per cent literacy and 79 per cent numeracy in 2005.” By 2011... 390,000 to achieve a first E3 or above numeracy qualification
Research findings Numeracy skills linked to economic well-being “…. Men and women with poor numeracy skills at age 30 were more than twice as likely as those with competent numeracy to be unemployed” Barriers “…. For people with poor numeracy, the biggest barrier to participation is fear rather than complacency” NRDC
What can we do?? Join forces!
Implementation plan • Increase focus on numeracy in all relevant policy • Increase demand • Increase capacity • Workforce support • Further research Combined effort
Some NCETM initiatives • Mathematics Matters • College Organisation • www.ncetm.org.uk
Mathematics Matters • Values and principles • Practice • Obstacles • Communication
College Organisation • Importance • Range • Structure • Whole College Strategy • Team approach • Professional development • Opportunities NCETM
The NCETM • Extensive web portal – • Self evaluation, Personal Learning Space, Resources, Research, news • Regional Coordinators • Subject network meetings • Practitioner action research projects • … and much more!
? Only about 11% numeracy Fewer than half qualified Back to London
2020 • Together we can make a difference Together we will make a difference