Influence of Sex and Ability Level on Students’ Mathematics Readiness in Enugu State.

Abstract

The study was investigated to ascertain the influence of sex and ability level on students’ Mathematics Readiness in Enugu State. The sample for the study was 203 students which were randomly selected from Nsukka and Obollo-Afor Education Zones in Enugu State. The instrument used for the study was mathematics readiness test (MATHRET) developed and validated by Unodiaku (2012) and revalidated by the researcher in Enugu Education Zone different from the main area of the study. The data obtained with the instrument were analyzed using mean and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Mean was employed to answer the research questions posed, while ANOVA was used in testing the formulated null hypotheses at 0.05 significant level. Finding of the study revealed that in general boys are ready more than girls in this test. Moreso, results indicated that the mean difference found between boys and girls was found significant (P<0.05) across the three ability level (high, average and low). It was generally found that sex and ability level are factors that influence mathematics readiness of students. It was recommended, among others that teachers should establish differential norms for both boys and girls in each of the ability level.

Keywords: Mathematics Readiness, Ability level, Achievement.