Math skills among New Brunswick youth are dropping at an alarming rate. A University of New Brunswick researcher calls the decline an avalanche, and the numbers back her up.

In 2003, about 14 percent of fifteen year old students in the province fell below the United Nations numeracy standard. Today, that number sits at 38.5 percent. This means two out of every five fifteen year old students in New Brunswick function at a Grade 4 math level.

According to a recent report from CBC News, researcher Lucia Tramonte analyzed data from the Programme for International Student Assessment. The findings reveal a shrinking number of students scoring in the highest proficiency levels.

The share of New Brunswick students ready for a university STEM program dropped from 35.5 percent in 2003 to just 15.8 percent.

Wealthy Students See the Fastest Decline

You expect disadvantaged students to struggle the most. However, Tramonte found a unique pattern in New Brunswick. The decline in STEM readiness happened fastest among children from the wealthiest families.

The gap between rich and poor narrowed because advantaged students dropped to meet disadvantaged students. This trend raises serious questions about curriculum decisions and school dynamics.

Real World Consequences

This decades long drop in math competency impacts more than just future engineers and scientists. It leaves many young adults stuck without clear paths in education or employment.

The Atlantic Economic Council reports more than 58,000 people aged 15 to 29 in Atlantic Canada are not in employment, education, or training. Tramonte notes two generations of youth caught in this mudslide of competencies will only grow that number.

Finding a Solution

Math competencies are falling across Canada and internationally. Experts point to changes in curriculum difficulty, ineffective teaching methods, and a reduced focus on math.

To fix this, New Brunswick needs a healthy relationship with data. Tramonte suggests collecting detailed information on school resources and staffing. This data verifies how policy and curriculum changes directly promote better skills for all students.

We cannot wait for new students to enter the system. We must act now to help previous cohorts struggling with employability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of New Brunswick youth lack basic math skills?

Currently, 38.5 percent of fifteen year old students in New Brunswick fall below the United Nations numeracy standard, functioning at roughly a Grade 4 math level.

Are wealthy students performing better in math?

No. Data shows the decline in math readiness actually happened fastest among children from the wealthiest families in New Brunswick.

How does this impact the local economy?

Lower math skills reduce the number of students ready for university STEM programs and increase the population of young adults who are unemployed and not pursuing further education.