"In this changing world, those who understand and can do mathematics have significant opportunities and options for shaping their future."
Workplace numeracy is a key skill required by students who are making the school-to-work transition. In an increasingly technological world, numeracy skills are even more important.
Many students making the school-to-work transition require basic numeracy skills that might include:
- effective use of a cash register
- understanding their pay-stub information
- completing income tax forms
Tasks carried out in the workplace require the ability to complete calculations with speed and accuracy. Solid numeracy skills will help students to achieve their goals.
The Student Pathways for Success numeracy component focuses on providing opportunities for students to increase, sharpen, and expand their mathematics ability. Like reading and writing, mathematical literacy is a crucial component of every career pathway, so whether you are going to work in the construction industry or pursuing a retail destination, the math skills you gain in school will have a direct impact on your success in your future career.
Numeracy - Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics
According to the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), the purpose of the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics is to assess the level of achievement at which students in the applied and academic programs are meeting Grade 9 curriculum expectations in their respective mathematics programs. The assessment is also a means to report individual results and year-to-year data at the school, board, and provincial levels.
The provincial, board and school reports will include:
- overall results for mathematics
- overall results in mathematics by gender, ESL/ELD, and special needs status as identified in the students’ Individual Education Plan (IEP) or through the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) process
- item statistics including correct and incorrect responses for selected items on the assessment
- comparative data showing school, board, and provincial results over time
The Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics requires students to demonstrate both content expectations and cognitive processes. It assesses key aspects of mathematics across the four strands in the Grade 9 mathematics curriculum: number sense and algebra, measurement and geometry, relationships, and analytic geometry.
An expanded overview of the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics can be found on the EQAO web site: http://www.eqao.com/Parents/Secondary/
09/09.aspx?Lang=E&gr=09&Aud=Parents&App=Parents
Important Web Sites
Math Flow Chart:A graphic representation of possible Mathematics Pathways for secondary school students.
www.math.com
Math.com is an extensive and interactive site for students from Grades 7 through 12. The information is grouped into five major categories: homework help, practice, tutoring, calculators & tools, and games. Each category boasts a huge amount of useful information about everything from fractions and decimals to integers and exponents. If students need help with any math topic, this is the place to find it.
www.abc-canada.org/math_literacy/
ABC Canada’s site is devoted to math literacy highlighting math tips, tricks, and resources. This student-focused site provides a fact sheet on why math is important, covers math in the news, and outlines measurement conversion. The site also acts as portal for dozens of other useful links to math sites that cover a series of important topics.
www.infoplease.com/homework/hwmath.html
The mathematics homework centre covers the history of mathematics, definitions of the subject area, and notable mathematicians. Students will find a variety of practical and relevant information in the areas of measurement, money, numbers and tables.
www.mathematicsmagazine.com/
This online mathematics magazine is useful for students in Grades 7 through 12. This monthly publication poses 20 math problems for each garde level, with the solution posted in the next month’s issue. The site also covers the various math strands from a theoretical and practical perspective.
mathforum.org/students/
The Math Forum is the leading online resource for improving math learning, teaching, and communication since 1992. The site is a collaboration between teachers, mathematicians, researchers, students, and parents using the power of the web to learn math and improve math education. You will find a wealth of problems and puzzles, online mentoring, research, team problem solving, collaborations, and professional development.
www.homeworkspot.com/high/math/
The HomeworkSpot.com is a free homework information portal that features the very best K-12 homework-related sites together with engaging information in one high-utility, educational spot. With the help of students, parents and teachers, our team of educators, librarians and journalists has scoured the web to bring you the best math resources. The resources are organized into grade-appropriate categories for both elementary and secondary school.
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/brochure/earlymath/index.html
The Ministry of Education offers this booklet, entitled Helping Your Child Learn Math, as part of the province’s math strategy intended to help children develop these skills as early as possible. The information offers activities and tips for parents to help their children develop strong math skills.
jwmft.ednet.ns.ca/math_tips_for_parents.htm
A simple, straight-forward site that covers math tips for parents applicable to all grade levels.