Quantitative Literacy

This article addresses the topic of quantitative, or mathematics, literacy for the workplace and its relevance in programming for deaf students. As Craig and Craig indicated in framing this issue of the Annals, preparing students for the workplace is only one goal of literacy. Literacy also carries enormous political significance, as it relates to critical thinking, empowerment, fostering informed voting, preserving culture, and maintaining cultural and economic control; and it further can be viewed simply from the perspective of adding dignity and richness to life itself. However, because of its special impact in the workplace, this very pragmatic aspect of quantitative literacy will be the focus here. As noted educator and author Ira Shor (see, e.g., Shor, 1980) once said in response to a question I posed, "One should not apologize for the need nor the ability to earn a living."