Survey: challenges facing adult numeracy education across Europe

The field research aimed to uncover challenges in adult numeracy education across European countries. A survey was conducted among adult education leaders in 12 EU states, revealing issues such as the absence of standardized numeracy definitions and frameworks, and the necessity for professional development for adult numeracy tutors. The report discusses these challenges across various jurisdictions and provides recommendations for addressing them in the future. (O’Meara, ‘Sullivan, & Hoogland, 2022)

The review (done within the framework of CENF) investigates numeracy as it was, as it is, and what it will face in the near future. Numeracy is a multifaceted term integrating domains like learning and teaching, psychology factors, vulnerable groups, evaluation and assessment, theories and frameworks, professional development, contexts, and institutional support. Numeracy is about knowing ánd doing. Numeracy has been studied in a wide range of circumstances, including banking scenarios, shopping patterns, and occupations such as nursing, construction, and carpentry. For the coming future numeracy faces challenges, like numeracy as a social process, the impact of ICTs on numeracy, critical citizenship, teacher and training programs, and assessment.  (Hoogland & Díez-Palomar, 2022)