Attitudes Toward Mathematics of Lower Secondary Education Students in Korca Region

Abstract

The lower secondary education plays a crucial role in overall education. It represents an important phase in a students’ mathematical lifetime which has been shown to have a considerable impact on students’ performance and attitudes to mathematics. The current study is aiming to explore the factors that affect attitudes toward math among 221 students from 6 to 9 grades. An adapted questionnaire of 20-items (short ATMI) covering four domains: motivation, self-confidence, value and enjoyment were used in this case. Data analysis demonstrated that lower secondary education students have a positive attitude toward mathematics in the four domains of short ATMI. The Mann-Whitney U Test revealed that gender does not affect students’ attitudes toward mathematics. Meanwhile a significant difference was revealed in domains of Value and Enjoyment between students in private and public school with a small effect size.

Keywords: Motivation, Mathematics, Secondary education, Gender

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/15-9-03

Publication date: September 30th 2024