Numeracy

The Ministry of Education and Child Care defines numeracy as “the ability to understand and apply mathematical concepts, processes, and skills to solve problems and make decisions in a variety of situations, including real-life scenarios.”

Numeracy involves students recognizing and understanding the role of mathematics in the world and having the capacities to use mathematical knowledge and skills purposely. To support students in becoming numerate and using mathematics confidently at school and in their lives, the district participates in various numeracy initiatives, such as the Standards-Based Assessment (SBA) and the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) initiatives. Both initiatives have helped teachers improve their articulation of math goals and competencies, broaden their understanding of what constitutes learning, and to deepen student learning of math concepts. Evaluation of the SBA and BTC initiatives have led to an increase in teacher comfortability and implementation level in a variety of new numeracy teaching and assessment practices. Further, these increases have translated into positive impacts for students as well, as participating teachers reported growth in students’ understandings and learning of mathematical concepts.

Providing support for these initiatives are the Numeracy Helping Teachers, who are leaders in the development and implementation of research informed numeracy curriculum within the district.

Numeracy Helping teachers work one-on-one with teachers pursuing numeracy inquiry questions, provide district-wide support, and facilitate professional learning through workshops, “lunch and learns”, book clubs, and more. Numeracy Helping Teachers also locate, provide, and guide the use of resources for classroom teachers.

In collaboration with district Numeracy Helping Teachers, the Research and Evaluation Department conducts evaluations of district-led numeracy initiatives. Our researchers utilize assessment tools such as surveys to evaluate the impacts of these initiatives. 

In collaboration with Numeracy Helping Teachers, the Research and Evaluation Department collects, analyzes, and reports on the data from evaluations of numeracy initiatives. Our reports are used to inform district decision making and planning regarding providing continuing numeracy support for our Surrey students. 

To view and download the Numeracy Initiatives report, click on the following report:

The Research and Evaluation Department provides support with the following initiatives. Downloadable reports and infographics are provided where permission has been granted.

2021/2022

Numeracy Initiative

2019/2020: 

Inner City Early Learning