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The relationships between numeracy scores and soft skills in employed and unemployed Americans
Author(s) -
Sulak Tracey N.,
Wilson Robin,
Renbarger Rachel L.,
Kaul Corina R.,
O'Guinn Nicole
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
new horizons in adult education and human resource development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1939-4225
DOI - 10.1002/nha3.20281
Subject(s) - numeracy , soft skills , creativity , structural equation modeling , psychology , mathematics education , medical education , pedagogy , social psychology , literacy , computer science , medicine , machine learning
Over the past two decades, the skills needed to be successful in the workplace have expanded beyond technical skills to include 21 st ‐century soft skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. A structural equation model of the ATC21S TM was used to investigate the relationship between 21 st ‐century soft skills and numeracy for employed and non‐employed Americans ( N = 3,948) included in the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) data. Higher numeracy scores predicted employment while 21 st ‐century soft skills did not. The results of this study may indicate a greater need to focus on numeracy in compulsory education as well as adult basic education.