Pupils' Attitude Towards MAthematics as Related to Academic Achievement

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have been undertaken to try to reach an understanding of the relationship between pupil's attitudes towards mathematics and academic achievement. However, more recent studies point to positive correlation between pupils’ academic achievement. The researcher wanted to look at how the attitude of the pupils towards mathematics affects their performance in the class. For this reason, the researcher developed a survey for students of Mathematics.

METHODS

The researcher used a modified survey questionnaire for Grade V and VI pupils of mathematics to look at their grades and to assess their success. The descriptive normative survey method of research was employed and the statistical tools used were weighted mean, mean, standard deviation (SD) and Pearson’s r.

RESULTS

With regard to the attitude of pupils toward mathematics, the highest obtained means are 4.53and 4.51 which has the respective items-" The Mathematics instruction that I have received will be helpful for me in the future". Item 15 as number 29 and lastly ranked number 30 is item 27. They are considered as negative attitudes. The overall mean is 3.09 or moderately positive attitude. As to pupils' attitude towards mathematics they expressed their feeling toward the subject. 5% of the respondents have high positive attitude towards Mathematics, 30% have positive attitude, 34% have moderately positive attitude and 31% have a negative attitude towards Mathematics. The standard deviation of 0.90 indicate that the group is homogenous in terms of their attitude towards Mathematics. The researcher presents the frequency and percentage distribution, mean, standard deviation of pupils' level of achievement in Mathematics. It shows that 5% of the respondents are outstanding. The mean is 81.99 or satisfactory with a standard deviation of 4.16 indicating a heterogeneous group of pupils. Pearson's test on the significant relationship between attitude towards mathematics and academic achievement in mathematics shows that the r value of 0.89 is higher than the critical value of 0.2540 at 0.01 level of significance.

DISCUSSIONS

The result of the test correlation between attitude and academic achievement in Mathematics reveals that it has very high positive correlation. The findings disclose that pupils' academic achievement is influenced by pupils' attitude towards mathematics. Those pupils with high positive attitude tend to have high academic achievement in mathematics and vice versa.