Numeracy Teaching Program for the Fourth Year Students of Lucena City National High School

Abstract

Numeracy Program is a plan designed to assist teachers in identifying where students' solution methods in mathematics are breaking down and provide explicit guidance to move the student beyond the identified hurdle. One way to improve the numeracy level of students is to create a program that will cater to the ones who need special attention when it comes to learning basic mathematics. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition,subtraction, multiplication, and division. If one can understand a simple mathematical equation, then one would be considered possessing at least basic numeric knowledge. Implementing a numeracy program in every school in the country is one of the first steps towards the country's goal of producing globally competitive citizens. This study was conducted at Lucena City National High School, School Year 2013-2014. This study used an experimental method of research using one group pretest-posttest design. The respondents underwent the numeracy program. Pretest and posttest were given to the respondents. The researcher obtained the respondents' diagnostic test scores in mathematics. She used the validated numeracy test of the Division of Quezon. Five (5) lessons with the inclusion of activities were prepared for teaching the respondents of the numeracy program. The study was conducted from August 2013 to December 2014. The respondents had remedial classes for the numeracy program twice a week from 10:30 to 12 noon. In order to determine the efficacy of the numeracy, the validated pretest/posttest was used. Based on the result of this study, the majority of the students are emergent in terms of basic mathematics skills. It only means that most of the students learned only a limited part possessing basic mathematics skills but not enough to perform complex topics in mathematics such as problem solving. Only a few students are capable of performing such skills efficiently wherein they possess thorough and comprehensive knowledge of mathematics in which they are involved. The ultimate goal of the program is to empower the students to recognize, comprehend and employ the ideas about basic mathematics skills. To attain the essential goals, five basic topics in mathematics were discussed in the program leading in the students' point of view as they accomplish systematically a wide variety of activities for comprehensive learning and concept mastery.