What Is Numeracy?

Numeracy refers to the ability to make sense of mathematics and to use mathematics effectively in real-life situations.

Numerate people are able to:

• use appropriate techniques, tools, and units in order to measure;
• solve problems by applying their understanding of numbers and the relationships between numbers, using different computational methods;
• analyze and describe geometric shapes and figures, location, and movement;
• analyze and make predictions from patterns;
• collect, organize, and analyze data.

Numeracy must be a goal for all students.