National Numeracy Website

QL Conference Announcement:  May 15-17 at Colby-Sawyer in New London, New Hampshire.

• 2008 Annual Meeting of the National Numeracy Network (NNN)

• Writing with Numbers Workshop sponsored by the Carleton Quantitative Inquiry, Reasoning and Knowledge (QUIRK) Initiative and the NNN

• Northeast Consortium on Quantitative Literacy (NECQL)

Numeracy: Advancing Education in Quantitative Literacy:  Numeracy is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal published by the National Numeracy Network.  Numeracy aims to support education at all levels that integrates quantitative skills across disciplines. The journal seeks evidence-based articles on teaching strategies and resources, education research, curriculum design, assessment strategies, and faculty development, as well as perspectives, reviews of educational resources, and commentaries/replies.

First Issue: Volume 1 (2008), Issue 1.

• The Scope of Numeracy by H L. Vacher and Dorothy Wallace, Editors. 

• Evolution of Numeracy and the National Numeracy Network by Bernard L. Madison and Lynn Arthur Steen. "In recent years quantitative literacy has received increasing attention, in part because it is most notably lacking and most critically needed."  "The interdisciplinary focus of NNN sets it apart, making it an interest of many but a passion of a few, much akin to its cause – quantitative literacy."

• Scientifically Based Research in Quantitative Literacy: Guidelines for Building a Knowledge Base by Richard L. Scheaffer. 

• Teachers Talk: Pressure Points in the K-8 Mathematics Curriculum by Kim Rheinlander, Dorothy Wallace, Wells Morrison, Daniel Ansari, Donna Coch, and B. Venus Williams. 

• Development of Case Stories by Interviewing Students about their Critical Moments in Science, Math, and Engineering Classes by Vicki V. May, Thomas H. Luxon, Kathy Weaver, Rachel Esselstein, and Cynthia Char. 

• Birds – Dead and Deadly: Why Numeracy Needs to Address Social Construction by Joel Best. "This paper argues that numeracy education needs to address social construction." "Any serious effort to make students more numerate about those statistics requires coming to terms with this process of social construction." "Social construction poses a challenge for those interested in promoting numeracy. Once we acknowledge that all numbers are products of social activity, we must confront the nature of the social environment in which numbers emerge and circulate. And that means moving numeracy education beyond the confines of teaching calculation and statistical concepts, to address matters of social construction."

• Review of The Triumph of Numbers by I. B. Cohen by H L. Vacher.

Civic Engagement and Numeracy: 10/19/2007.  Joel Best, Neil Lutsky and Milo Schield give talks at an AACU Civic Engagement conference.

SIGMAA QL 2007 MathFest. 8/3/2007: SIGMAA-QL Panel discussion on Quantitative Literacy, Mathematics and Civic Engagement: Teaching the Importance of Quantitative Literacy for a Healthy Democracy in a General Education Course. Panelists: Rob Root (Lafayette College), Maura Mast (University of Massachusetts Boston), Kay Somers, (Moravian College) and Andy Miller (Belmont University).  This panel session will consist of presentations on pedagogy associated with courses investigating the interaction between quantitative literacy/mathematics and civic engagement. Potential topics include: voting rights, voting fraud, gerrymandering, and one person/one vote; the impact of opinion polls on the democratic process; financial exploitation of the quantitatively illiterate; statistical misconceptions and their consequences in politics and policy; mathematics education as a determinant of economic status; and statistics and health policy. Panelists will be encouraged to share with the interested public curricular materials for units in a general education course linking mathematics to social justice including reading lists, study guides, discussion guidelines, and assignments.

NNN Open House ASA: 7/31/2007. Open House at National Meeting of the American Statistical Association featuring Kay Somers.

The Role of Statistics Educators in the Quantitative Literacy Movement by Joy Jordan and Beth Haines, Journal of Statistical Education, V14,#2.

NNN, SIGMAA & MSS: Midwest Sociological Society & North Central Sociological Assoc. April 4-7, 2007 Chicago

Panel: Q/L: Mathematicians, Statisticians, and Sociologists Share What Works (Session 47 Wed • 4:30–5:15 pm)

National Numeracy Network and SIGMAA for Quantitative Literacy Reception (Wed • 5:15–6:15 pm)

Panel: Teaching Statistics for the Social Sciences: A Conversation between Sociology and Mathematics (Session 240,Fri. 2:30 -4:15 pm )

Organizer: Cinnamon Hillyard (University of Washington Bothell). Panelists: Tricia M. Davis (University of Wisconsin–River Falls),
Julia McQuillan (University of Nebraska–Lincoln), William P. Peterson (Middlebury College) and Milo Schield (Augsburg College)

Quantitative Literacy at San Jose State: .

• Promoting of Mathematics that Matters: Why Mathematicians Can't Do It Alone by Deborah Hughes Hallet

• What is Quantitative Literacy in the 21st Century?  Mike Pogodzinski, San Jose State University

• Quantitative Literacy: Best practices. Mike Pogodzinski, San Jose State University

SIGMAA QL 2007 Joint Mathematics Meeting

Current Practices in Quantitative Literacy: An Interdisciplinary Perspective,  Friday: The issue of achieving quantitative literacy (QL) is one that spans disciplines. This panel will take a closer look at how very different institutions have used a cross-disciplinary approach to teach QL. Each program is featured in MAA Notes: Current Practices in Quantitative Literacy.  Saturday:  Annual Business Meeting and Reception. 

SIGMAA : 2006 Joint Mathematics Meeting   (1014-P1)

Organizers: Aaron G. Montgomery and Stuart Boersma, Central Washington University, and Semra Kilic-Bahi, Colby Sawyer College. 

MAA Session on Achieving Quantitative Literacy: Saturday January 14, 2006, 1:00 p.m.-3:55 p.m.

• Paradoxes: Explanations and Discussions. Saburo Matsumoto*, The Master's College (79)

• A Contemporary Approach to Q/L in a College Math Curriculum. Jay P Abramson* & Matt Isom, Arizona State Univ. (20)

• How a writing assignment changed our understanding of Q/L. Allen Emerson* & Kris Green, St. John Fisher College (1543)

• Learning to Make Inferences: Connecting Q/L and Language Arts for Math and English Preservice Teachers.  Kimberly M. Vincent* and Beth Buyserie, Washington State University. (1490)   Slides  PDF

• Incorporating Civic Engagement in Q/L Courses. Thomas Zachariah*, Suzanne Larson & Jacqueline Dewar, Loyola Marymount U. (1260)

• Ethnomathematics: Fusion or Fear. Michelle R DeDeo*, University of North Florida.(1425)

• The Q/R Requirement at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Maura B Mast* and Mark Pawlak. (1443) Slides: PowerPoint , PDF

• News Math: Working toward QL.  Bernard L. Madison*, University of Arkansas (49)  Slides: PowerPoint, PDF   See 2005 NewsMath

• Developing a QL Program: Do's and Don'ts. Judith Flagg Moran*, Trinity College Hartford CT (830) Slides: PPt (4 MB), PDF (no pics). 

• Defining and Implementing Quantitative Literacy Programs. Rick Gillman*, Valparaiso University (32)

•  An Overview of QL/QR Programs, Events and Publications. Caren Diefenderfer*, Hollins University, Rebecca Hartzler, Seattle Central Community College and Cinnamon Hillyard, University of Washington, Bothell. (1269)

MAA Session on Achieving Quantitative Literacy, II:  Sunday January 15, 2006, 8:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. 

• Numeracy: A Course for Honor Students. John C Maceli*, Ithaca College (944)

• The Mathematics of Association in Quantitative Literacy.  Milo Schield*, Augsburg College (36) Updated Slides: PDF (117 KB)

• Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum.  Gary T Franchy*, Davenport University  (1727) Slides: PowerPoint (362 KB),  PDF (498 KB)

• Profit Maximization and Level Curves: Applying Excel Data Tables, Conditional Formatting, and the Solver.  Mike Pogodzinski*, Department of Economics, San Jose State University (404) Slides: PowerPoint (836 KB)  PDF (914 KB)

• The Unholy Alliance: Integrating Math and Religion. Harrison W Straley* and Barbara Darling-Smith, Wheaton College  (27)

• From Math Distress To Math Success: The Development of a Quantitative Reasoning Course To Motivate Student Learning. Klement Teixeira* and Fred Peskoff, Borough of Manhattan Community College (789)

• Join the Mathematics Across the Community College Curriculum Project. Rebecca Hartzler*, Seattle Central Community College (1264)

Creating and Strengthening Interdisciplinary Programs in QL
June 14-18 2005, there was a MAA PREP QL workshop at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN coordinated by David Bressoud.   Quantitative literacy is "no more the exclusive preserve of mathematicians than writing belongs to the English department or critical reasoning to philosophy.  The goal of this workshop is for interdisciplinary campus teams to learn about many of the programs and assessment strategies that are now running, to gain familiarity with the tools, materials and case studies that these programs have generated and to have the opportunity to adapt and build upon these materials for use on their own campuses."

• News Math: An Experimental Course. Bernie Madison, University of Arkansas

• Quantitative Reasoning in the Arts and Humanities at Hollins University. Caren Diefenderfer, Hollins University

• Developing a QL Program: How Does Your Garden Grow. Judy Moran, Trinity College

• Developing the QL Habit of Mind in Multiple Contexts: Geoscience Education Modules. Len Vacher & Beth Fratesi, Univ. S. Carolina

• Teaching Data Structures and Relationships Using General Social Surveys. Stephen Sweet, Ithaca College

• Lessons Learned About Assessing Quantitative Literacy. Jack Bookman, Duke University

• Quantitative Literacy: Core Concepts Milo Schield, Augsburg College  Slides 6up

SIGMAA QL Panel: 2005 Joint Mathematics Meeting

System Wide Quantitative Literacy Initiatives. Organized by Judy Moran (Trinity College) and Caren Diefenderfer (Hollins University).  Panelists included Linda Sons (Northern Illinois University), Kathleen Burk (Georgia State University), Vauhn Foster-Grahler (The Evergreen State College), Kim Vincent (Washington State University) and Bernie Madison (University of Arkansas). Panelists discussed efforts in their states to implement statewide QL standards and programs; they also discussed issues involving definitions, standards, assessment, articulation agreements, and political hurdles.  The session was sponsored by the MAA SIGMAA for Quantitative Literacy.

Refocused College Algebra: A Basis for QL Programs.  

Panel Discussion, 2005 JMM. Organizer: Donald B. Small (U.S. Military Academy).  Panelists: Norma M. Agras (Miami-Dade College), Dora C. Ahmadi (Morehead State University), Laurette B. Foster (Prairie View A&M University) and Bernard L. Madison (University of Arkansas). Moderator: Harriet S. Pollatsek (Mount Holyoke College).  Sponsored by the MAA CUPM Subcommittee on Curriculum Renewal Across the First Two Years (CRAFTY).  "Faculty in quantitative disciplines urge mathematics departments to send them students having experience with elementary data analysis, plotting and interpreting plots, problem solving in the modeling sense, small-group work, and the use of technology. These aspects are basic to refocused college algebra programs. In addition, college algebra is the largest gateway course (in terms of student enrollment) and is thus well positioned to provide a basis for QL programs."

National Numeracy Network:

In Hanover, N.H., June 18-20, the National Numeracy Network was organized as an interdisciplinary professional organization that "envisions a society in which all citizens possess the power and habit of mind to search out quantitative information, critique it, reflect on it and apply it in their public, personal and professional lives."   The mission statement of the NNN states: "The National Numeracy Network promotes education that integrates quantitative skills across all disciplines and at all levels. To this end the Network supports faculty development, curriculum design, assessment strategies, education research and systemic change. The Network is the professional organization serving and promoting collaborations among those students, educators, academic centers, educational institutions, professional societies and corporate partners sharing our vision. The Network also strives to keep issues of quantitative literacy at the forefront of national and international conversations about educational priorities."   David Bressoud, Macalester College, will serve on the Advisory Board.

Quantitative Literacy Special Interest Group QL SIGMAA
In January 2004, the MAA Board of Governors approved a special interest group (SIG) on quantitative literacy.   "SIGMAA QL aims to provide a structure within the mathematics community to identify the prerequisite mathematical skills for quantitative literacy (QL) and find innovative ways of developing and implementing QL curricula. We also intend to assist colleagues in other disciplines to infuse appropriate QL experiences into their courses and hope to stimulate the general national dialogue concerning QL."

Quantitative Literacy Conferences and Workshops (Past):

• MAA: QL SIGMAA 2006 Joint Mathematics Conference (see above), San Antonio, TX (1/2006)

• MAA: QL SIGMAA 2005 Joint Mathematics Conference, Atlanta, GA (1/2005)

• MAA: Quantitative Literacy Across the Curriculum Sleeping Lady Conference Center, Washington (8/2004)

• Pew Foundation: Workshop on Quantitative Literacy Macalester College, St. Paul MN (1/2004) Schedule

• Evergreen: Creating the Quilt of Quantitative Literacy   Wittman-Grahler et al, Washington Center (2003)

• Williams-Wellesley-Amherst Workshop on Quantitative Skills  (10/2003)

• PKAL: Quantitative Literacy -- Everybody's Orphan Summer Institute I (2002)

• AAAS Annual Meeting:  Science in a Connected World (Feb 14-19, 2002 Boston) Symposia:

  • Teaching & Learning:  Living with Data: Achieving Q/L Steen, Scheaffer, Packer, Leitzel

  • Science & Society:  Show Me the Data! Seitelman, Paulos, Rubin, Maletskos, Finkelstein,  Moran

• MAA: Reforming College Algebra Feb 2-7, 2002

  • College Algebra Arnold Packer

• NCED/MAA National Forum on Quantitative Literacy in Washington DC (2001)

  • College Algebra Lynn Steen and Bernie Madison

  • Teaching & Learning:  Living with Data: Achieving Quantitative Literacy Steen. Abstracts for Scheaffer, Packer & Leitzel.

• PKAL Session on Quantitative Literacy in Snowbird, Utah (6/2001).  Reflections on QL.  What is QL?  Steen

• MAA Session on Quantitative Learning in San Antonio, Texas (1999)

• PKAL Session on Quantitative Literacy in Snowbird, Utah (6/2001).  Reflections on QL.  What is QL?  Steen

• MAA Session on Quantitative Learning in San Antonio, Texas (1999)

Quantitative Literacy Materials:

• The Components of Numeracy by Ginsburg, Manly, and Schmitt. 2006 National Center for Study of Adult Learning and Literacy.
• MAA: QL Resources; National Numeracy Network
• What is a course in Quantitative Literacy, Bernie Madison, President of National Numeracy Network
• Quantitative Reasoning: It's not just for Scientists and Economists Anymore, Corri Taylor, Wesley College

• Building Bridges for QL: NNN & SIGMAA QL. Bernie Madison MAA News May 2005

• Important Math Concepts for Numeracy Bernie Madison. Based on presentation January 2005 at MAA

• Quantitative Literacy  Bernie Madison.  Based on presentation January 2005 at MAA QL SIG

• News Math 2005 Bernie Madison, NNN website

• Everything I ever Learned about Averages ... I Learned in College 2004 Steen, Peer Review

• Multiple Approaches to Improving Quantitative Literacy at James Madison University 2004 Brakke and Caruthers, Peer Review

• Setting Greater Expectations for Quantitative Learning 2004 Carol Geary Schneider, Peer Review

• The National Numeracy Network: Promoting Quantitative Literacy Susan Ganter, AMATYC Fall 2003

• Creating the Quilt of Quantitative Literacy Wittman-Grahler, Harding and Russell, 2003

• Fostering Quantitative Literacy by Joy Jordan and Beth Haines  Peer Review, AACU Summer 2003

• Educating for Numeracy. Bernie Madison.  2002 Notices of the American Mathematical Society

• QL/NNN Materials produced by Jerry Johnson and colleagues at the University of Reno 2002

• Mathematics Across the Curriculum: An Evaluation Jane Korey, Dartmouth 2000 [In-depth Review]

• Summary and Recommendations MAA CUPM Quantitative Literacy Committee 1998

• Quantitative Reasoning for College Graduates by Linda Sons (Editor) MAA 1996

• MAA Quantitative Reasoning for College Graduates: A Complement to the Standards by Linda Sons 1994

• The New Liberal Arts Program (NLA): An Evaluation for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation by Oakes Ames 1993.  SteenQL
  Replication. Not surprisingly, most NLA courses still being taught in the early 1990s were being taught by the same faculty who created them eight or ten years earlier. Innovative courses are not easily transportable or transferable. When new faculty are asked to take on these courses, they are more likely to create their own than to pick up the course created by the pioneers.

• Everybody Counts: A Report on the the Future of Mathematics Education  National Research Council 1989

• Quantitative Literacy/Reasoning Web Site   Maintained by Bill Briggs, University of Colorado at Denver

QL/QR Talks (PowerPoint Slides):

• Quantitative Literacy/Quantitative Reasoning by William L. Briggs (SIAM, July 2004)

Quantitative Literacy Grants and Related Courses and Activities

• AMATYC Math Across the Community College Curriculum

• Edmund Community College Math Across Community College Curriculum $100K Grant (10/2004)

• Carleton College FIPSE Grant: Quantitative Inquiry, Reasoning, and Knowledge  8/17/2004

• QM4PP Workshop: Understanding the Numbers at Macalester College, St. Paul, MN. (6/2004)
• Macalester College, Math 108: Quantitative Methods for Public Policy  2002 Grant
• Quantitative Reasoning Across the Curriculum at Brooklyn CUNY 2001.

Quantitative Literacy Centers and Programs (alphabetical)

• Bowdoin Quantitative Skills Program 

• Carleton College Quantitative Skills Program

• Dartmouth Center for Mathematical and Quantitative Education

• DePaul Quantitative Reasoning Center (QRC)

• A First-Year Interdisciplinary QR Course: A Pre-Statistics Course  David Jabon and Carolyn Narasimhan

• Evergreen State Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning Center

• Trinity College Quantitative Literacy Program (including a center and specific courses)

• Wellesley College Quantitative Reasoning Center

Quantitative Reasoning Graduation Requirement (Q/R designated courses)

• Kenyon College Quantitative Reasoning Requirement

• Dartmouth College Mathematics Across the Curriculum at Dartmouth College by Jane Korey (1999)

• Dartmouth College Math Across the Curriculum: Evaluation Summary, Math and Humanities Courses Janey Korey (2000)

Quantitative Literacy Courses:

• Interdisciplinary Studies (DSC100-02 110): Measured Thinking: Principles of Quantitative Reasoning at Carleton College