Mathematical Skills and University Professor Emeritus

Graham Orpwood: We allow ourselves to believe that some people just aren’t great with numbers, and that okay, according to Globe and Mail. This is what York University professor emeritus Graham Orpwood calls the perception gap – the idea that mathematical skills and good numeracy are attainable only for some Canadians, rather than all of us. How can we expect to have a financially savvy citizenry when close to half our population lacks basic numeracy skills What are we doing wrong and how do we fix it It been suggested that our lack of basic numeracy skills has become acceptable, to a certain extent. Another part of this problem, which it seems we’re finally waking up to, is born in the confines of our primary classrooms. But while it a great start, is it enough I recently hosted a panel discussion at the Economic Club of Canada on this very issue and an interesting point emerged: the idea that poor numeracy is actually a social justice issue. Earlier this month, the Ontario government announced a $60-million investment in a renewed math strategy for elementary school students, a welcome proposal, given the magnitude of the problem. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.