Numeracy Assessment

In order to improve my instructional practices, I analyzed instructional data from district math diagnostic and proficiency assessments. The most recent assessment assessed student’s abilities to count, add and subtract, and their understanding of place value. My students scored below not only the other first grade students at the school, but also all first grade students in the district. 81.6% of my students could count, read, and write numbers to 120. This was an improvement from their diagnostic assessment. However, only 66.7% could relate counting to addition and subtraction, and only 45% demonstrated understanding of place value in two digit numbers.

My skills in literacy and numeracy are good. I passed level 2 functional skills maths and English in July 2015.

The following evaluation presents the components of the normative sample applied in the KeyMath-3 Diagnostic Assessment (KeyMath-3 DA). For reference, a norm sample characterizes as a selected sample of test-takers from various common characteristics such as gender, age, grade, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or some combination thereof, for the purpose of creating test norms. The KeyMath-3 DA is a comprehensive, norm-referenced measure of essential mathematical concepts and skill which is untimed and individually administered (Connolly, p. 1, 2007). Furthermore, the test consists of 372 full color test items and 10 subtests covering three general math areas: Basic Concepts (numeration, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability), Operations (mental computation and estimation; addition and subtraction; and multiplication and division), and Applications (foundations of problem solving and applied problem solving). Additionally, data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census (2004) reinforced the integrity of the normative sample to establish the target counts in age, grade and season, race/ethnicity, geographic region and socioeconomic status.

The aims and importance of learning provision for numeracy development are to ensure all students understand that maths is a vital part of everyday life and will continue to be used throughout their life. Primary schools will teach students to learn various methods and techniques to be able to reach the correct answer. The end goal means more students will be able to solve a mathematical problem, independently, using a method that suits them. They can then develop their learning to improve their knowledge and apply it to real life situations; such as counting in groups of numbers such as 5’s or 10’s, which in turn can be applied when paying for

Numeracy development is important for all children as maths is an important part of everyday life. The way in which maths is taught has changed greatly over the years. When I was at school we were taught one method to reach one answer. Now, particularly in early primary phase, children are taught different methods to reach an answer, which includes different methods of working out and which also develops their investigation skills. For example, by the time children reach year six, the different methods they would have been taught for addition would be number lines,

Van de Walle, J, Karp, K. S. & Bay-Williams, J. M. (2015). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Teaching Developmentally. (9th ed.). England: Pearson Education Limited.

It is compulsory for Australian year 3, 5, 7 and 9 school students to complete the National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy (National Assessment Program, 2016) test. The NAPLAN test provides schools, governments, education authorities, students and the community statistics of schools and individual student’s weaknesses and strengths in specific areas of curriculum. One of the areas of curriculum that is tested is Mathematics. For this assignment we had to answer five questions from a year 9 NAPLAN test. I felt confident answering majority of the questions correctly; taking my time to logically work out each question with the aid of pen and paper when needed. I am a visual learner, so I was able to mentally solve most of the questions in my head. I rarely need to use a calculator as I have memorized many different strategies for working out mathematical questions.

The TLE GADOE (2016) states that the Individual Assessment of Number (IKAN) helps to identify student’s basic number knowledge. In contrast, the Global Strategy Stage Assessment (GloSS) assesses a student’s capability to use math strategies and identifies the mental processes students use to answers and solve operational problems with numbers (TLE GADOE, 2016). The assessments consist of a series of interview strategy and number questions which should be administered to individual students which is administered at least three times a year. The students are then assigned an overall Strategy Stage based on their responses to the questions in the interview (TLE GADOE, 2016). The series of questions increase in

- To encourage the effective use of numeracy and maths as a tool in a wide range of activities within and out of school

The report aims to illustrate and evaluate the Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement processes, procedures and initiatives taken by Further Education Providers, with Newcastle College FE as example for providing excellent educational services for students. Further, the report gives a personal review and analysis the role of tutor in the quality cycle

The programme has been planned to support pupil’s skills in Maths which will develop their numeracy skills and therefor enable them to use numbers in a variety of situations throughout their lives, calculation skills that will equip them with the skills to be independent with their own finances in many different situations, and with Problem solving skills which will enable them with the skills to manage their own finances throughout their lives, with the ability to develop their skills and understanding of the value of money and supporting them to control their finances effectively (Education Scotland 2016).

I was quite confident in completeing the compulsory NAPLAN Year 9 questions, I have a high level of understanding in the three numeracy strands (“Numeracy,” 2016) covered in the test and the questions that were selected cover the range of topics. The NAPLAN test is a compulsory test that enables the assessment of students from years three to nine, which provides statistical analysis to ensure the students are meeting the relevant educational outcomes for their year.

The National curriculum states that in Mathematics teachers should use every relevant subject to develop pupils’ mathematical fluency. Confidence in numeracy and other mathematical skills is

Tragically, 1 in 5 adults in America cannot read well enough to fill out a job application or read directions on a medicine bottle. Locally, this means thousands of adults in Dutchess County who are unable to live independently. These adults are unable to obtain a good paying job, make good health decisions, or read to their children. Research shows that the growing immigrant population has low literacy skills and lack the English Language skills necessary to access jobs, job training, college, and citizenship. We also know from research that when parents do not read, their children are at high risk of not reading with fluency - and the cycle of poverty and dependence continues.

Teaching students effectively in areas of multiplicative thinking, fractions and decimals requires teachers to have a true understanding of the concepts and best ways to develop students understanding. It is also vital that teachers understand the importance of conceptual understanding and the success this often provides for many students opposed to just being taught the procedures (Reys et al., ch. 12.1). It will be further looked at the important factors to remember when developing a solid conceptual understanding and connection to multiplicative thinking, fractions and decimals.