The Mathematics Problem-Solving Skills and Reading Comprehension of Junior High School Students of the Palo 19 National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Mathematical problem solving is a process that involves a set of factors and tasks to achieve a defined goal. It depends on many skills and factors which therefore makes it challenging both to learn and to teach. For a closer view, one identified reason for poor performance in problem-solving of Grade IX students of Palo 19 National High School was their poor understanding or comprehension of the mathematical terms. The students most of the time got very low scores in math quizzes that involves an understanding of the word problems. Problem-solving and reading comprehension are two skills that should be developed in students to improve their performance in math.

METHODS

This action research was purely descriptive which uses pre-test/post-test results and survey results.

RESULTS

Table 1. Thirty-Item Pre-Test and Post-Test Results in Problem Solving

Students' Word Problem Solving Attitude Survey

Most of the students were not equipped with problem-solving techniques and mathematical terms/vocabulary words were limited. Meanwhile, they do not have problem-solving techniques that make them bored during problem-solving activities. Furthermore, students showed a cheerful outlook towards problem-solving techniques and they are willing to solve word problems.

DISCUSSIONS

This result is reflecting a very poor performance in Mathematics problem solving which can be due to poor comprehension of problem-solving vocabulary. On the other hand, the post-test revealed a 31% increase in the number of examinees who passed the test. The 9 passers in the pre-test had gone up to 26 which were 48%. Moreover, the table above presents the results of students' attitude in problem-solving. It shows students’ perception of their own ability to solve word problems. Results for students' attitude survey showed that 35 out of 54 pupils do not know how to get the correct answer in solving word problems. Twenty-six students also disagreed that they usually know all the vocabulary words used in the problem.