A national charitable organization that champions literacy for Canadian adults is releasing new resources to help them improve their math skills for everyday life.
In celebration of International Day of Math on Friday, March 14, ABC Life Literacy Canada is highlighting its free math literacy program, ABC Everyday Numbers.
The charity says the resource is designed to help adult learners improve their math skills through free workshops and resources.
The program will release a new set of resources at the end of March, offering support to people looking to improve their confidence in math.
Math literacy or “numeracy” refers to the everyday uses of math and the ability to apply simple numerical concepts, such as addition and subtraction.
"It is essential for everyday life, from budgeting and problem-solving to career advancement. Despite its importance, many individuals struggle with numeracy skills, limiting their educational and professional opportunities," ABC Life Literacy Canada said in a release.
According to the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies’ 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, just over half (51 per cent) of adult Canadians score in the three lowest skill levels in numeracy, down from 54 per cent in 2012.
Only 15 per cent sit in the highest two levels, while 34 per cent are in the middle or at high school level.
While numeracy rates have slowly risen over the past decade, there is still room for growth and to ensure numeracy levels don’t slip, the charity said.
"As more jobs go digital and use automation, people without foundational math skills may struggle to keep up,” Alison Howard, executive director of ABC Life Literacy Canada said.
“Being comfortable with numeracy helps with problem-solving, making smart decisions and using technology in everyday work. ABC Life Literacy Canada is committed to helping adults improve their math skills by providing free, accessible learning materials for anyone who wants to improve their math confidence.”
ABC Everyday Numbers currently offers four workbooks — Playing with patterns, Multiply without memorizing, Estimating and Understanding rates — with corresponding online courses and video lessons.
The next workbook, online course and video lesson on Probability will be released by the end of March. The suite of free resources are available to learners, educators and community organizations.
ABC Everyday Numbers was developed with support from Manulife as part of the company's commitment to "driving inclusive economic opportunities".
To download free resources or host a workshop in your community, visit abceverydaynumbers.ca.