Not just for the kids: Adult skills in the 21st century

The Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an international survey of adult skills that covers reading literacy, numeracy and problem-solving of 16-to-65-year-old adults. This paper focuses on the development and evolution of the reading and numeracy aspects of PIAAC and presents an overview of Australian performance in PIAAC, the social and economic outcomes associated with literacy and numeracy proficiency and the literacy and numeracy standards for graduating teachers

PIAAC Numeracy Task Complexity Schema: Factors that impact on item difficulty

This paper describes some lessons learned from international adult numeracy assessments that can help in understanding the challenges that people, including both adults and school students, have when solving numeracy tasks and their levels of performance on functional mathematical problems. The paper presents a theoretical schema of five factors that predict, separately and in interaction, the complexity or level of difficulty of mathematically-related assessment tasks, including tasks that incorporate texts and require literacy or reading skills, which are very common in adults\u27 lives. The model was originally developed as part of the development of the Adult Literacy and LifeSkills survey in the mid \u2790s, but later adapted and effectively used within the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), a.k.a. OECD Survey of Adult Skills. The five complexity factors described in the model are grouped into two factors addressing mainly textual aspects of tasks, and three factors addressing the mathematical aspects of tasks. These factors can assist test developers, researchers and educators in predicting task difficulty and in targeting the development of items and tasks to more efficiently cover the range of student performance and skill levels

Critical connections between numeracy and mathematics: Supplementary materials

This publication contains three professional development activities targeted at teachers of mathematics. The activities for both groups and individuals focus on the challenge of word problems in maths and connecting maths to the real world. Also included are references, materials and resources related to the issue of the connections between numeracy and mathematics

Critical connections between numeracy and mathematics

Increasingly research is showing that life and work in the 21st century is requiring higher levels of mathematics and numeracy of its citizens. Numeracy and mathematics are intrinsically connected and BOTH are needed in our ever changing, globalised and technological world. This paper looks at the implications of this for the skills we want our students to develop and leave school with, and how we can better address these in our teaching and learning

Are Australian mathematical foundations solid enough for the 21st century?

This presentation will look at some key messages from the Australian results of both the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). PISA assesses the mathematical literacy of 15-year-old students around Australia, whilst PIAAC assesses the numeracy proficiency of adults aged 15–74. What do the two surveys assess and are they telling a similar story? How solid are Australia’s mathematical foundations and what do they say about teaching and learning? How do Australia’s results compare internationally with those leading the field? What are some of the research outcomes and implications for both policy and practice for schools and lifelong learning, including about linking maths and life outside the classroom? This paper presents a perspective on the mathematical capabilities of Australian students as revealed through data from the two international assessment programs

Why addressing literacy and numeracy in VET is a priority

In this video, David Tout (ACER), Juliette Mendelovits (ACER) and Megan Lilly (Australian Industry Group) assert the vital importance of strong literacy and numeracy skills to the Australian workforce

Critical connections between numeracy and vulnerability in adult life

Research shows numeracy is critical to improving the social and economic status, and overall well-being of low-skilled or otherwise vulnerable adults

LLN Acronyms ACSF FSK and more

A 5 minute vodcast providing background and discussing acronyms related to Literacy and Numeracy in Australian vocational education and training, including the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF), Foundations Skills Training Package (FSK), Core Skills for Work (CSFW), Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), and English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The N in LLN - Why it’s a crucial skill

In this video David Tout empasises the vital importance of strong numeracy skills particularly in relation to the increasing demand for STEM skills in the workforce. He explains that numeracy is the ability to apply mathematical skills to solve problems in context. David points out that as a nation, Australia\u27s numeracy skills are very low and need to be lifted

What is the Foundation Skills Training Package (FSK)

The Foundation Skills Training Package (FSK) was developed in recognition of the need to support adult learners with low levels of literacy and numeracy skills who are undertaking vocational education and training. In this video, David Tout explains how trainers in Registered Training Organisations can use the FSK