Attitude Towards Mathematics and Academic Performance of Senior High School: Basis for an Intervention Program
Felimar M. Calingayan
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
The key purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between the attitude of Grade 11 students of Hungduan National High School toward learning mathematics and their Mathematics performance. This descriptive study utilized the Mathematics Attitude Scale by Yasar (2014) as the main instrument. The findings indicate that most students demonstrated positive views about their mathematical abilities; however, they were unsure about their enjoyment level and progress in math. In addition, they showed mixed feelings about mathematics, demonstrating a neutral disposition. Further, students showed signs of confusion about their levels of fear, anxiety, and distress concerning mathematics, demonstrating a multifaceted emotional connection with the subject. Notably, the level of their attitude toward learning Mathematics determines their Mathematics performance. In light of the findings, it is recommended that the attitude towards learning the subject should also be given attention, and varied strategies should be utilized to cater to the needs of students.
References:
- Abosalem, Y. (2015). Khalifa University students’ attitudes towards mathematics in the light of variables such as gender, nationality, mathematics scores and the course they are attending. Education Journal, 4(3), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.edu.20150403.15
- Abubakar, R. B., & Oguguo, O. D. (2011). Age and gender as predictors of academic achievement of college mathematics and science students. International Association for Teaching and Learning, 2(1), 89–94. https://www.richtmann.org/journal/index.php/jesr/article/view/11719
- Appiah, D. (2016). Senior high school students’ attitude towards mathematics and perception of their mathematics classroom learning environment (Thesis). School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba.
- Aquino, A. M., Sabio, C. J., Vigonte, F. G., & De Leon, N. R. (2019). Parental involvement strategies vis-à-vis academic performance of junior high school students in mathematics. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 9(11), 815 – 819. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2019.9.11.1310
- Ashcraft, M. H., & Krause, J. A. (2007). Working memory, math performance, and math anxiety. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 14(2), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03194059
- Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman.
- Boaler, J. (2016). Mathematical mindsets: Unleashing students’ potential through creative math, inspiring messages and innovative teaching. Jossey-Bass.
- Brandell, G., & Staberg, E. (2008). Mathematics: a female, male or gender‐neutral domain? A study of attitudes among students at secondary level. Gender and Education, 20(5), 495–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540250701805771
- Capuno, R., Necesario, R., Etcuban, J. O., Espina, R., Padillo, G., & Manguilimotan, R. (2019). Attitudes, study habits, and academic performance of junior high school students in mathematics. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 14(3), 547–561. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/5768
- Caputi, M., Lecre, S., & Pagnin, A. (2016). The role pf mother-child and teache-child relationship on academic acjivement. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 14(2), 141 – 158. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2016.1173538
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer Science & Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7
- Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
- Eccles, J. S., & Wigfield, A. (2002). Motivational beliefs, values, and goals. Annual Review of Psychology, 53(1), 109–132. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135153
- Fetalver, M. A. & Merano, E. M. (2021). Self-efficacy and attitude as predictors of mathematics performance of senior high school students. International Journal of Advanced Research. https://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/13592
- Frenzel, A. C., Goetz, T., Pekrun, R., & Watt, H. M. G. (2010). Development of mathematics interest in adolescence: Influences of gender, family, and school context. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20(2), 507–537. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00645.x
- Frenzel, A. C., Pekrun, R., & Goetz, T. (2007). Perceived learning environment and students’ emotional experiences: A multilevel analysis of mathematics classrooms. Learning and Instruction, 17(5), 478–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2007.09.001
- Geisler, S., Rach, S., & Rolka, K. (2023). The role of attitudes in university mathematics dropout: A mediation analysis. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 112(2), 359–381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10649-022-10198-6
- Ghasemi, E., Burley, H. (2019). Gender, affect, and math: a cross-national meta-analysis of Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2015 outcomes. Large-scale Assess Educ, 7(10). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40536-019-0078-1
- Hembree, R. (1990). The nature, effects, and relief of mathematics anxiety. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 21(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.2307/749455
- Hwang, N. R., & Son, H. S. (2021). Students’ Attitude toward Mathematics and its Relationship with Mathematics Achievement. Journal of Education and E-Learning Research, 8(3), 272–280. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.509.2021.83.272.280
- Idris, F., Kamarudin, N., Kamarulzaman, W., & Ishak, N. M. (2020). Relationship between Parents’ Education and their children’s Academic Achievement. Journal of Arts & Social Sciences , 7(2), 82-92. https://doi.org/10.46662/jass-vol7-iss2-2020(82-92)
- Kamarudin, N., Kamarulzaman, W., & Ishak, N. M. (2018). The relationship between gender, age, and sttitude toward mathematics among Malaysian gifted students. The Educational Review, 2(8), 410–416. https://doi.org/10.26855/er.2018.08.001
- Kapp, K. M. (2012). The gamification of learning and instruction: Game-based methods and strategies for training and education. Pfeiffer.
- Karjanto, N. (2017). Attitude toward mathematics among the students at Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Programme. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 48(6), 849–863. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2017.1285060
- Khaiwal, R., & Gupta, M. (2025). Relationship Between Attitude Towards Mathematics and Academic Achievement of Eleventh-Class Students. Journal of Informatics Education and Research, 5(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.52783/jier.v5i1.2074
- Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J., & Findell, B. (2001). Adding it up: Helping children learn mathematics. National Academy Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9822
- Korupp, S., Ganzeboom, H. B. G., & Van Der Lippe, T. (2002). Do mothers and fathers matter? The impact of parental education on children’s educational attainment. Quality & Quantity, 36(17), 17–42. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014393223522
- Leder, G. C. (2019). Gender and mathematics education: An overview. In: Kaiser, G., Presmeg, N. (eds) Compendium for Early Career Researchers in Mathematics Education . ICME-13 Monographs. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15636-7_13
- Mazana, M. Y., Montero, C. S., & Casmir, R. O. (2019). Investigating Students’ Attitude towards Learning Mathematics. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 14(1), 207 – 231. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/3997
- McBride, B.A., Dyer, W.J., Liu, Y., Brown, G.L., & Hong. S. (2009). The Differential impact of early father and mother involvement on later student achievement. J Educ Psychol, 101(2), 498-508. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014238
- Middleton, J. A., & Spanias, P. A. (1999). Motivation for achievement in mathematics: Findings, generalizations, and criticisms of the research. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 30(1), 65–88. https://doi.org/10.2307/749630
- Musa, M. A., Abubakar, A. A., & Ali, A. A. (2022). Correlation between students’ attitudes and mathematics learning achievements among senior secondary school students in Yobe State, Nigeria. Indonesian Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 5(1), 147–155. https://doi.org/10.24042/ijsme.v5i2.11273
- Mutai, B. K. (2016). Gender differences in mathematics achievement among secondary school students in Bomet County, Kenya (Thesis). School of Education, Kenyatta University, Kenya.
- Nahimana, J. P., & Andala, H. O. (2023). Effect of students’ attitude towards learning mathematics on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Rwanda: A case of Nyagatare District. International Journal of Management and Development Studies, 13(11), 130–135. https://doi.org/10.53983/ijmds.v13n11.011 ijmds.in
- National Research Council. (2005). How students learn: Mathematics in the classroom. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/11101
- Nelson, R. B. (2009). The impact of parental education on student academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED507263.pdf?utm
- Olutola, A. T., Olatoye, R. A., & Olofintoye, O. O. (2021). Assessing the Impact of School Type, Gender, and Age on Attitude and Mathematics Achievement of Senior Secondary School Students. Journal of Contemporary Teacher Education, 43–52. https://tinyurl.com/4u4eee54
- Pajares, F., & Miller, M. D. (1994). Role of self-efficacy and self-concept beliefs in mathematical problem solving: A path analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 86(2), 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.86.2.193
- Peteros, E. D., Sarmiento, C. J. R., & Sarmiento, R. R. (2019). Attitude and academic performance of grade 10 students in mathematics under conditional cash transfer program. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 9(9), 708–717. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/5770
- Rodriguez, S., Regueiro, B., Pineiro, I., Estevez, I. & Valle, A. (2019). Gender differences in mathematics motivation: Differential effects on performance in primary education. Front. Psychol., 10, 19–24. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03050
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
- Samuelsson, J., & Samuelsson, M. (2016). Gender differences in students’ perceptions of mathematics education in Sweden. Open Review of Educational Research, 3(1), 18–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/23265507.2015.1127770
- Sen, S. H. (2013). The attitudes of university students towards learning. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.177
- Sfard, A. (1998). On two metaphors for learning and the dangers of choosing just one. Educational Researcher, 27(2), 4-13. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1176193
- Sfard, A. (1998). On two metaphors for learning and the dangers of choosing just one. Educational Researcher, 27(2), 4–13. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X027002004
- Subia, G. S., Amaranto, J. J., Bustamante, J. S., Bagon, C. M., & Paano, A. B. (2018). Attitude and Performance in Mathematics I of Bachelor of Elementary Education Students: A Correlational Analysis. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 39(1), 206–213. https://tinyurl.com/hav4ne5d
- Sunzuma, G., Masocha, M., & Zezekwa, N. (2013). Secondary School Students’ Attitudes Towards their Learning of Geometry: A survey of Bindura Urban Secondary Schools. Greener Journal of Educational Research, 3(8), 402 – 410. https://tinyurl.com/43zaewby
- Usher, E. L., & Pajares, F. (2009). Sources of self-efficacy in mathematics: A validation study. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 34(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2008.09.002
- Uwineza, P., Rubagiza, J., Hakizimana, J. D., & Uwamahoro, J. (2018). Gender differences in students’ attitudes toward mathematics in secondary schools in Rwanda. Rwandan Journal of Education, 4(2). https://www.ajol.info/index.php/rje/article/view/175131
- Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes (M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman, Eds. & Trans.). Harvard University Press.
- Yasar, M. (2014). Short form of “mathematical attitude scale”: Its psychometric properties. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/27472057
Full Text:
Note: Kindly Login or Register to gain access to this article.
ISSN 2984-8385 (Online)
ISSN 2984-8288 (Print)