The National Numeracy Review, commissioned by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is an independent review undertaken by a panel of experts led by Professor Gordon Stanley as a measure to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes. Literacy and numeracy skills are correlated to success in school, students staying at school to Year 12 and to further education and work. Improved numeracy outcomes will encourage higher school retention rates, increase productivity and support economic prosperity. The purpose of the Review was to identify the teaching, learning and assessment practices that lead to improved numeracy outcomes for students.
Targeted consultations were conducted with government and non-government school education authorities, the teaching profession, universities, parents and researchers. The report combines a synthesis of information from evidence provided in submissions, through stakeholder consultations (including the National Invitational Forum) and a meta-analysis of existing Australian and International evidence-based research.
The Report identifies 15 recommendations with a focus on:
- the need for early, systemic teaching of numeracy and mathematics that includes assessment activities to ensure that all students have the foundational skills to progress through a developmental continuum; and
- increasing resources for teachers in terms of professional development and pre-service teacher education to address the identified shortfalls in both mathematics content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge to ensure quality teaching of numeracy and mathematics across the curriculum.
The report can be accessed at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) 
website.
- Download the Terms of Reference: PDF
(13.9 KB) RTF 
(30.1 KB)
A Background Paper was initiated to inform discussions on the literature currently available.
- Download the Background Paper: PDF (412.0 KB) RTF (573.5 KB)
A Discussion Paper was developed to assist submission respondents in organising their submissions in relation to the Terms of Reference.
- Download the Discussion Paper: PDF (135.0 KB) RTF (819.7 KB)
The National Numeracy Review was undertaken by a panel of eminent experts.
- Download the Review Panel membership (including biographies): PDF (14.5 KB) RTF (31.1 KB)
The National Numeracy Review was supported by a jurisdictional Reference Group drawn from state and territory education departments.
- Download information about the Reference Group members: PDF (16.1 KB) RTF (42.0 KB)
The Review involved a targeted consultation process with government and non-government school education authorities including Catholic and independent sectors, the teaching profession, universities, parents and researchers to consider current information and reviews.
This consultation strategy involved a number of face to face meetings with a number of government and non-government school authorities, invited submissions from key stakeholders and an invitational Forum.
The Forum, held on 24 July 2007 in Melbourne, provided an opportunity for 64 of the 85 targeted stakeholders invited to contribute their expertise to assist the National Numeracy Review Panel. The event was facilitated by Professor Barry McGaw, Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at The University of Melbourne.
The Invitational Forum occurred at the stage when the submissions had been received from targeted stakeholders and before any detailed analysis had begun. The Forum aimed to capture the participants’ perspectives to test against the evidence provided in the submissions. The Discussion Groups at the Forum were focused on obtaining further evidence for good practise in numeracy and mathematics education.
- Download a summary of the forum discussions: PDF (74.8 KB) RTF (134.1 KB)
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Information relating to the National Numeracy Review can be obtained by emailing numeracyreview@deewr.gov.au.
Director
Numeracy Section
Literacy and Numeracy Branch
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
GPO Box 9880 CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601