Numeracy in the ACSF is about using mathematics to make sense of the world and applying mathematics in a context for a social purpose. Numeracy gives meaning to mathematics and mathematics is the tool (the knowledge and skills) to be used efficiently and critically (Johnston 1995, Tout & Schmitt 2002, Gal et al 2009).

Numeracy is concerned with dealing with situations that involve the use and application of a range of mathematical skills and knowledge which arise in the three Domains of Communication: personal and community, workplace and employment, and education and training.

Numeracy involves understanding and applying mathematical skills. It also involves drawing on knowledge of the context in deciding when to use mathematics, extracting the mathematical information from the context and choosing the appropriate mathematics to use. Numeracy requires reflecting on and evaluating the use of the mathematics, and being able to represent and communicate the mathematical results.

Numeracy Indicators

An adult's numeracy performance is described against three Performance Indicators.

• The first Numeracy Indicator addresses the identification of mathematical information and meaning in activities and texts.
• The second Numeracy Indicator addresses the use and application of mathematical knowledge and problem solving processes across a range of mathematical skill areas.
• The third Numeracy Indicator addresses the way informal and formal language, symbolic and diagrammatic representations and conventions of mathematics are used to communicate.

Specific Indicator statements describe exit performance at each level.

The following summarises the Numeracy Indicators for Levels 1 to 5; more detail on the Indicators, Domains of Communication and Sample Activities for Numeracy can be found in the Australian Core Skills Framework which can be downloaded from this site. More information on Numeracy at Pre Level 1 can be found in the ACSF Pre Level 1 supplement which can also be downloaded from this site.