DRIVE TO BOOST NUMERACY LEVELS IN QUEENSLAND STATE SCHOOLS

The Bligh Government today launched a comprehensive new blueprint to further boost student numeracy levels in Queensland state schools.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the strategy was set out in a new document Numeracy: Lifelong Confidence with Mathematics – Framework for Action 2007-2010.

“Our Government wants every child to develop excellent numeracy skills during their time at school,” Mr Welford said.

“We recognise that numeracy, like literacy, is a key pillar of learning and an essential component of our school curriculum.

“So we have committed $1.5 million in this year’s State Budget to drive our numeracy initiatives and give our schools and teachers the skills and resources they need to improve numeracy levels.

“This framework sets out a range of actions – there are 32 in all - that will improve numeracy education and give our students an even better start in life.

“Numeracy is about students having the confidence to choose and use mathematics skills they learn at school in everyday life, as well as the classroom.

“It is not just about mathematics skills. Numeracy skills apply right across the school curriculum. Numeracy is used in science class when students independently interpret a graph.

“They are used in woodwork when students confidently measure a piece of wood or in cooking when a student halves a recipe,” Mr Welford said.

“So every classroom teacher has a role to play in helping students develop numeracy skills.”

Mr Welford said the government would have a focused professional development strategy and develop support materials for teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills.

It would also:

• implement the strategy throughout Queensland’s state school system;
• promote ready access by teachers to the quality resource; and
• identify research materials that are available.

The document is available on the Department of Education, Training and the Arts website at: http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/area/literacy/index.html

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000