World Class Skills - the Leitch Review and associated documents, 2006-2007

These are two of many Harvard references to useful online references for the Level 5 Maths ADTLLS, Developing Role of Numeracy / History of Mathematics essay. (Part of Module 1: Approaches to Mathematics learning and teaching). The retrieval date is when I first used it.

Leitch, Lord S. (2006), The Leitch Review of Skills. Prosperity for all in the global economy – world class skills. Final Report. London: The Stationery Office. 
http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/6322/1/leitch_finalreport051206.pdf

Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (2007), World Class Skills: Implementing the Leitch Review in England. London: The Stationery Office. Retrieved on 3 January 2009 from http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/corporate/migratedd/publications/w…

(Now at: https://www.tuc.org.uk/research-analysis/reports/implementing-leitch-re…)

Here’s how I used the two references in my essay:
Indisputably, there is a strong need to improve the UK skills base. This is robustly argued by Leitch (2006) who believes that in order to be regarded as ‘world class’ the UK needs 90% adults to have Level 2 numeracy and literacy. The Government intends to implement his recommendations (DIUS, 2007) and has set a target for 165,000 learners to improve their skills each year.

Indisputably, there is a strong need to improve the UK skills base. This is robustly argued by Leitch (2006) who believes that in order to be regarded as ‘world class’ the UK needs 90% adults to have Level 2 numeracy and literacy. The Government intends to implement his recommendations (DIUS, 2007) and has set a target for 165,000 learners to improve their skills each year.

Thus there is still much work to be done and maintaining a balance between ‘numeracy’ and ‘abstract’ mathematics will be a challenge. Perhaps the introduction of functional skills in mathematics (and English), the related diploma for school leavers, and changes to current Skills for Life qualifications will help achieve Leitch’s aim.