1. Literacy and Numeracy unit standards

2. Being able to use words and numbers effectively is fundamental for people in their lives.

3. These unit standards focus explicitly on literacy and numeracy in our everyday lives.

4. These standards recognise “ongoing transferable competence”.

5. Therefore assessment evidence must be: - naturally occurring - over a range of contexts - and over time.

6. Literacy – definition
The written and spoken/signed language people use in their everyday life, learning and work. It includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Skills in this area are essential for good communication, active participation, critical thinking and problem solving.

7. Numeracy – definition
Being competent, confident, and able to judge in everyday contexts whether to use mathematics in a particular situation and if so, what mathematics to use, how to use it, what degree of accuracy is appropriate, and what the answer means in relation to the context. Numeracy knowledge and skills are essential for mathematics in everyday family and financial matters, learning, work and community tasks, social and leisure activities.

8. The six unit standards
26622 Write to communicate ideas for a purpose and audience
26623 Use number to solve problems
26624 Read texts with understanding
26625 Actively participate in spoken interactions
26626 Interpret statistical information for a purpose
26627 Use measurement to solve problems

9. The Learning Progressions
The unit standards reference the Learning Progressions ( to help set the criteria for assessment evidence.
More information about the Learning Progressions is available in the ‘Assessment’ PowerPoint presentations.

10. Other PowerPoint presentations in this series:
Assessment for Literacy
Assessment for Numeracy
Moderation

11. Discussion/questions
For further information,
or to comment on this presentation, please contact National Qualifications Services