Hi everyone, including the far flung ones!

To me, I'm also not sure there's a meaningful difference between
"numeracy" and "mathematical literacy" because we can really define them
as we like.

But, I see an important political issue here in the US in regards to the
terminology. A while back there was a policy document called something
like "From the margins to the mainstream." The primary focus of the policy
document was literacy, and there was a sentence stating something to the
effect that math was subsumed under "literacy." (The Adult Numeracy
Network actually responded to this document protesting this limited view
of mathematical learning.)

By talking about "mathematical literacy" within the adult basic ed
environment, we are using the "L word" and thus continuing to relegate
math/numeracy instruction and learning to a second tier level, subsumed
under the literacy umbrella. Since the field here has historically been so
focused on literacy, there has been limited attention to and recognition
that teaching and learning math is really very different from teaching and
learning reading/writing.

Those of you from other countries have somehow managed to elevate
"numeracy" to a relatively equal status with literacy. We couldn't
convince COABE to title their new journal "Adult Literacy and Numeracy,"
tho the Aussies have one with both words in the title.

So, I vote for the term Numeracy rather than Mathematical Literacy.

I guess this counts as a rant.

Best,
Lynda
Mary Jane Schmitt wrote:

> Hi Louise

>

> Yes, current versions of spell-check reject the word numeracy, even though

> its usage is becoming more common. When we used it in our papers, we

> generally meant adult numeracy. Early childhood numeracy* is different

> because numeracy does depend upon context - and age can be thought of as a

> contextual  and a cognitive factor. The math appropriate for a 3-year old

> to learn, understand, and be able to do is different for an adult. On the

> other hand, all age groups are included when being numerate is defined as

> having `the ability and inclination to use mathematics effectively in our

> lives--at home, at work, and in the community' (New Zealand Ministry of

> Education, 2001).

>

> As far as far as the relationship among mathematics, literacy, and

> numeracy, some  use a Venn diagram to illustrate numeracy as the

> intersection of mathematics and literacy - that might be a better analogy

> than a bridge between math and literacy. In fact, we see the term

> "mathematical literacy" to be synonymous with numeracy.

>

> * An aside, as we meant to focus on adult numeracy during this discussion:

>  There is a rich body of research on early numeracy development, even in

> infants. I am fascinated by studies that have shown 6-month olds to be

> aware of subtraction errors (as evidenced by extended gaze), or the idea

> that babies can subitize, (recognize small quantities without counting) .

> Australia and New Zealand have early numeracy educational initiatives that

> are very interesting. I think Dave Tout and I stand corrected on the K-12

> designation for "school math before reaching adulthood."  Even though many

> of the documents we referred to focused on K-12, we could have included

> pre-K.

>

> Take care,

> Mary Jane

>

>

> Mary Jane Schmitt

> TERC

> 2067 Massachusetts Avenue

> Cambridge, MA  02140

> mary_jane_schmitt at terc.edu

> www.adultnumeracy at terc.edu

>

>

>

>

> Louise Wiener <lwiener at llfinc.org>

> Sent by: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov

> 09/17/07 10:02 PM

> Please respond to

> specialtopics at nifl.gov

>

>

> To

> <specialtopics at nifl.gov>

> cc

>

> Subject

> [SpecialTopics 663] Re: International Discussion Ends and       Numeracy

> Discussion Begins

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Dear David,

>

> I found the Tout and Schmitt chapter particularly invigorating and

> challenging and hope Dr. Schmitt might comment on two thoughts for

> starters.

>

> I was surprised at the frequent reference to K-12 with almost no reference

> to pre-K.  I first became familiar with the term numeracy in the context

> of Head Start standards. Is there research on numeracy in the early

> childhood field – or has the name alone been adopted?

>

> I was struck, too, by the reference to numeracy as the bridge between

> mathematics and the real world. I see it  equally as the bridge between

> mathematics and literacy because  it captures (builds on?) the language

> and concepts of math as contrasted with the pure computation of math.

>

> You will note that at least my spell-check rejects “numeracy” as a

> valid

> word.  Perhaps we should start by lobbying there!

>

> Thank you, Louise

> --

> Louise W. Wiener, Chairman of the Board

>     Learning and Leadership in Families

>     2701 12th Street NE

>     Washington, DC 20018

>

>     Mobile Phone: 301-213-6516

>     Office Phone: 202-243-7783

>     Website: www.LLFinc.org

>     Email: lwiener at LLFinc.org

>

>     United Way / CFC # 8981

>

>

>   On 9/15/07 8:10 AM, "David J. Rosen" <djrosen at comcast.net> wrote:

>

> Special Topics Colleagues,

>

> I want to thank our guests for the topic:  What International Literacy

> Programs Offer Programs in the U.S. : Brenda Bell, Pamela Civins, Dr. John

> Comings, Barbara Garner, Dr. Erik Jacobson, Juliet Merrifield, and Dr.

> Ujwala Samant. I know we have only scratched the surfaces of several

> issues here in this one short week, but the discussion has been

> tantalizing.  I also want to thank Oxfam for making the book Developing

> Adult Literacy: Approaches to planning, implementing and delivering

> literacy initiatives by Juliet Merrifield Juliet McCaffrey, and Juliet

> Millican available by download free for this discussion. It will be

> available in hard copy on September 30, 2007.

>

> This marks the end of the international literacy discussion, for now at

> least.

>

> On Monday we will begin a new discussion on The Components of Numeracy

>  with Mary Jane Schmitt, Myrna Manly and Dr. Lynda Ginsburg, an occasional

> paper published by the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning

> and Literacy.

>

> For more information, and a short list of readings to prepare for the

> discussion please go to:

>

> http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/specialtopics/07numeracy.html

>

> or the short Web address:

>

> http://tinyurl.com/yvo6hf

>

> Please e-mail your questions for our numeracy guest experts

> to specialtopics at nifl.gov

>

> Your colleagues who may wish to join this discussion can subscribe

> by going to:

>

> http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/specialtopics

>

> After they complete a simple registration form (30 seconds) they

> will receive an email asking them to confirm that they wish to

> subscribe. They should Immediately reply to the email to complete their

> subscription. After the discussion ends they can unsubscribe from the same

> Web address, or stay on for the next discussion.

>

> David J. Rosen

> Special Topics Discussion Moderator

> djrosen at comcast.net

>

>

>

>

>

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-- 
Lynda Ginsburg
Senior Research Associate, MetroMath
Rutgers University
tel: 732-445-1409