Project MEAL: MAthematics Education Assistance for Learners

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Project MEAL is a prototype remediation program designed to help non-numerate Grade 7 students better understand and put into practice fundamental skills in mathematics. This is achieved by making them undergo a refresher course on the topics of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers (2-digits) and decimals (up to the hundredths place). This after class program hopes to bolster and both the foundation and capabilities of the said students in mathematics which in turn allows them to have the ability to grasp the more elaborate mathematical concepts that they will encounter during their regular classes.

METHODS

The study made use of quasi experimental design involving the quantitative method. It aims to emphasize learning competencies and cognitive skills through series of intervention assessments. The effectiveness of the test was basically determined by analyzing the pattern of the test scores that result from three (3) series of Pretest and Post-test. Purpose sampling was used with a population of 12 grade 7 students of Bagbag National High School during the school year 2018-2019.The data gathered were analyzed and compared using mean, standard deviation, weighted mead and t-test.

RESULTS

The student-participants' grades on the first, second, third in Mathematics were also gathered. This was done to ensure the comparability of their performance in Mathematics during the study period. This presented the comparative results of the pre-test and post-test performance of the student-participants’ foundation skills in mathematics. It showed that the results of students in the pretest can be described as Low. While the level of achievement of students in the post-test significantly increased, this is described as Moving towards Mastery. It revealed that the result of the students' performance in all Quarters was Passed.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the preceding findings, the Project MEAL Program was found to be an incredibly effective method of increasing the aptitude of the non-numerate students through the improvement of their fundamental skills in the subject of Mathematics. It is also important to consider that there were only 12 respondents, hence through this intervention, the learners were able to practice and prepare for quarterly and other standardized assessments which in turn resulted in more consistent and better test scores and grades.