Mathematics National Achievement Test and Teaching Attributes Of Secondary Math Teachers in Laoag City

Abstract

Introduction

This descriptive study assessed the performance of students in Mathematics in the National Achievement Test and the teaching attributes of secondary Math teachers in Laoag City. The study confined itself to public secondary schools in Laoag City, namely: Ilocos Norte National High School (INNHS), Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trade (INCAT), Ilocos Norte Regional School of Fisheries (INRSF), Caaoacan High School, (CHS), Gabu National High School (GNHS), and Balatong Integrated School (BIS). All teachers including permanent and contractual handling Math subjects in public secondary schools in Laoag City served as respondents.

Methods

Data were gathered through the use of a survey questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Performance in Mathematics is based on the mean percentage score (MPS) obtained in the National Achievement Test from SY 2007-2008 to SY 2014-2015. The study's output is an action plan, validated by experts in the field of secondary mathematics education.

Results

Findings showed that almost all the public secondary schools in Laoag City performed low in Mathematics, as evidenced by the average mean percentage scores which are below average. Almost all of the mathematics teachers were qualified and experienced; they frequently used other teaching aids other than the textbooks and exercise books. The students felt that the subject is useful in their lives for their careers however, they felt that mathematics is difficult to them, hence obscuring the significance of the subject.

Discussions

Exercises books and textbooks were mostly used while interactive methods such as discussion/lecture, drill and practice and problem-solving were frequently practiced in public secondary schools in Laoag City. Other factors such as students' poor comprehension, tardiness, absenteeism, and cutting of classes, family situations/problems, financial problem, conflict among the students habitual computer/online games, and reduced instructional time caused by too many school activities and unavoidable calamities such as storms, might were contributory to the below-average MPS of students in Mathematics in the National Achievement Test.