While the responses of the project questionnaire provided insights into best practices in LBS numeracy, the international research allowed an interesting comparison of adult numeracy programming throughout many parts of the world including the United Kingdom, the United States, Tasmania and Australia. The definitions of numeracy worldwide speak to the growing understanding that numeracy is a tool through which people communicate, just as language is. Communicating through skills in numeracy is based largely upon numeric symbols, rather than alpha ones, but both literacy and numeracy require a significant degree of confidence and critical thinking in order to communicate effectively and to accurately interpret incomin g information.

Near the end of this manual are two evaluation forms in the Transformations section. One is a self-evaluation form for LBS numeracy programs, while the other is an evaluation form for this manual, Numbers Talk. Programs completing the self-evaluation form will have the opportunity to reflect on their strengths in delivering numeracy in LBS, as well as considering areas in which more attention may be beneficial. Individuals completing the evaluation of the manual will provide essential feedback for future endeavors into project publications such as this. Recommendations from the project questionnaire for future directions in LBS numeracy programming are also included in the Transformations section.

The items found under Data Management include the project questionnaire, a practitioner contact list, and a reference list.

Numeracy – Best Practices and Innnovations Bulletin, Spring 2000.