The province is working with its education partners to help improve the quality of math education in Manitoba. This announcement was made by Education Minister Nancy Allan at the Manitoba Education Math Summit in Winnipeg.
“We want students to have a strong foundation in mathematics that prepares them for participation in our knowledge-based economy. An effective math education provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed,” said Allan. This Conversation on Teaching and Learning Mathematics is an opportunity to share and discuss what we are currently doing, what we could be doing better, and what the future of teaching and learning math in Manitoba could be,” said Allan. “I’m looking forward to hearing from our partners in education about this important issue.”
A wide range of partners including educators, and business and industry representatives will be in attendance at the summit, with presentations from students, university mathematics professors, school division staff, mathematics education professors and industry.
The minister announced the province has identified three areas in which it intends to take action to ensure students receive a high-quality math education:
• strengthening the math curriculum by ensuring the appropriate balance is struck between skill development, conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities.;
• ensuring that high-school math courses have the learning expectations and outcomes necessary to prepare students for success in university and college programs, and the world of work; and
• working in partnership with the faculties of education to ensure that teacher candidates are prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide solid instruction in mathematics in schools.
“By working together and taking action we will ensure that our students will get the quality math education they need for their future. As we all know, mathematics is fundamental in everyday life. From doing your taxes to taking measurements, a good understanding of math will give students a solid foundation to help them in everyday tasks.”
The province recently announced additional funding of $800,000 for the Early Numeracy Initiative to support school divisions with design and implementation of numeracy programming and teacher professional development to improve students’ math skills in kindergarten to Grade 8.
Other initiatives Manitoba is undertaking to improve student achievement in both the short and long term include:
• providing a new, plain-language report card;
• implementing a new assessment policy to ensure more rigorous standards in schools; and
• reducing class sizes to 20 students in kindergarten to Grade 3.
More information about Manitoba’s math curriculum is available at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/math.
