Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wyoming, 2006. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on April 15, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-111).

<p> </p> <p>This dissertation researched the scope of mathematics achievement disparities in the United States and how these disparities can be minimized through a self-efficacy lens. To answer pertinent research questions with data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2019 mathematics assessment in Grades 4, 8, and 12, gap analyses, two-level cross-sectional multilevel modeling, and two-level structural equation modeling were conducted. The discoveries demonstrated that the excellence gaps in U.S. in mathematics achievement by race/ethnicity, gender, NSLP, ELL, and IEP persisted and widened from Grade 4 to Grade 8 yet decreased at Grade 12. Self-efficacy was a noteworthy predictor of students’ mathematics achievement, displaying large effect sizes across grades. The disparities in mathematics achievement by student subgroups lessened when students' self-efficacy was equal. Moreover, self-efficacy mediated the relationships between mastery-approach goals, performance-approach goals, interest, persistence in learning and achievement. Additional results demonstrated that the status of being racially/ethnically underrepresented students partially moderated the connections between motivational variables and mathematics achievement. School locale and the percentage of underrepresented students significantly impacted students’ achievement. This dissertation underscores the importance of self-efficacy in closing mathematics achievement gaps and improving students’ mathematics achievement. </p>

This study was conducted in an attempt to integrate a number of cognitive, motivational and behavioral factors in elementary mathematics education, and to develop a theoretical model that explains the direct and indirect relationships among these concepts and their underlying dimensions. In particular, it was intended to examine the interrelationships among students&rsquo / achievement goal orientations, perception of classroom goal structure, self-efficacy, use of self-regulatory strategies, and academic achievement in mathematics. Participants were 1019 seventh grade students, enrolled in public elementary schools, located in four different urban and rural districts in Ankara. A self-report questionnaire and a mathematics achievement test were administered to the participants during their regular class periods. A pilot study was carried out with 250 seventh grade students, for conducting exploratory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling technique was used for data analysis. First, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted for each factor in the questionnaire. Then, a structural equation model was developed for the whole sample. Results revealed that students&rsquo / perceptions of classroom goal structure were directly linked to their adoption of achievement goal orientations. Among these goal orientations, only mastery goal orientation was associated with students&rsquo / use of learning strategies, which, in turn, related to their mathematics achievement. Among the learning strategies, only elaboration was significantly related to students&rsquo / mathematics achievement. Besides, self-efficacy was both directly and indirectly related to students&rsquo / adoption of achievement goals, use of learning strategies, and mathematics achievement.

La présente étude s’intéresse aux choix de filières de formation des filles comparées aux garçons. La présence des filles dans les filières de formation dans le domaine des sciences, de la technologie, du génie et de la mathématique (STGM) est moins importante que celle des garçons. Ce fait est documenté dans la plupart des pays industrialisés (OCDE, 2013). Les décideurs sont préoccupés par cette sous-représentation des filles et des femmes dans ces domaines et s’affairent à comprendre le phénomène, dans le but d’agir pour changer la situation (Drouin et al., 2008; MCCCF, 2011). Or, les facteurs d’influence pour expliquer cet écart entre les garçons et les filles sont nombreux et ne font pas l’objet d’un consensus dans la littérature (Ceci et al., 2009). Toutefois, plusieurs s’entendent pour dire que les mathématiques, importantes dans les profils de formation en STGM, et la façon dont les filles les perçoivent pourraient expliquer, en partie, leurs choix (Rowan-Kenyon et al., 2012 et Wang et al., 2013). Ces auteurs ont aussi suggéré que le contexte social et les croyances des filles au sujet des mathématiques seraient déterminants dans le processus de choix impliquant cette discipline. Un modèle théorique sociocognitif, inspiré par les travaux de Lent et al, (1994-2006), expliquant le processus de choix scolaires et professionnels a permis de conceptualiser les liens entre les déterminants socio-motivationnels spécifiques aux mathématiques. L’objectif général de la présente étude était de mieux documenter l’importance des mathématiques dans les choix de filières de formation menant aux carrières en STGM. Spécifiquement, nous avons examiné les relations entre le rendement en mathématiques, la perception des élèves quant au contexte social (soutien des parents et enseignants), leurs attentes de réussite, la valeur qu’ils accordent aux mathématiques (sentiment d’autoefficacité, anxiété, perception de l’utilité et intérêt) et les choix de filières de formation générale après leur secondaire (sciences humaines sans mathématiques, sciences humaines avec mathématiques, sciences de la santé et sciences pures). Nous avons exploré les distinctions entre les filles et les garçons. Pour ce faire, 1129 élèves finissants ont été questionnés au sujet de leurs motivations en mathématiques et de leurs intentions de formation post-secondaire. Par la suite, une comparaison entre les 583 filles et les 543 garçons a été réalisée par des analyses de régression logistiques multinomiales. Les résultats montrent que plusieurs déterminants permettent de dégager des similitudes et des différences quant aux choix de filières de formation des filles et des garçons. D’abord, il semble que pour la plupart des élèves, filles ou garçons, un rendement élevé et un important soutien des enseignants tel que perçu par les élèves à la fin du secondaire est davantage lié aux choix de filières en sciences pures et en sciences de la santé qu’en sciences humaines avec ou sans mathématiques. Toutefois, le soutien des parents perçu est plus déterminant pour les filles qui choisissent les sciences de la santé que pour les garçons. Le soutien des enseignants perçu est plus déterminant pour les garçons qui choisissent les sciences humaines que pour les filles. Aussi, un faible sentiment d’autoefficacité en mathématiques serait associé au choix de filières en sciences humaines, alors qu’une forte anxiété en mathématiques chez les filles serait associée aux filières en sciences de la santé. Pour les garçons, c’est davantage l’intérêt en mathématiques qui est déterminant pour choisir la filière des sciences pures. La perception de l’utilité des mathématiques est déterminante à la fois pour les garçons et pour les filles qui choisissent les filières de sciences les menant à des carrières en STGM. En somme, nos résultats suggèrent que le soutien en mathématiques de la part des adultes significatifs, tel que perçu par les élèves, est moins prépondérant que les attentes de réussite (sentiment d’autoefficacité et anxiété) et la valeur accordée aux mathématiques (intérêt et utilité perçue) pour comparer les garçons et les filles dans leurs choix de filières. À la lumière des résultats obtenus, il nous semble que l’implantation de mesures, dans les milieux scolaires, pour renforcer le sentiment d’autoefficacité des jeunes filles en mathématiques et surtout pour diminuer leur taux d’anxiété dans cette matière serait une voie prometteuse pour atteindre la parité entre les garçons et les filles dans les filières en STGM. / This study focuses on the choice of training options for girls compared to boys choice. The presence of girls in training courses in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is less important than that of boys. This is documented in most industrialized countries (OECD, 2013). Policymakers are concerned about the under-representation of girls and women in these areas and are working to understand the phenomenon in order to take action to change the situation (Drouin et al., 2008; MCCCF, 2011). However, the influencing factors to explain this difference between boys and girls are numerous and are not the subject of a consensus in the literature (Ceci et al., 2009). However, many agree that the mathematics major in STEM’s training profiles, and how girls perceive it might explain, in part, their choices (Rowan-Kenyon et al., 2012 and Wang et al ., 2013). These authors also suggested that, for girls, the social context and beliefs about mathematics would be decisive in the choice process involving the discipline. A socio-cognitive theoretical model, inspired by the work of Lent et al, (1994-2006), explaining the process of educational and occupational choices could help conceptualize the relationship between socio-motivational determinants in the field of mathematics. The main objective of this study was to better document the role of mathematics in the process of choice making leading to careers in STEM. Specifically, we examined the predictive value of mathematics performance, students' perception about the support of the social context (parents and teachers), their expectations of success and the value of mathematics (self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, interest and anxiety) on the choice of general education field after high school (social sciences/humanities with and without mathematics, health sciences and pure sciences). A comparison between girls and boys was made. To reach our goal, 1129 graduating students were questioned about their motivation in mathematics and their post-secondary education intentions. Thereafter, a comparison of the 583 girls and 543 boys was performed by multinomial logistic regression analyzes. The results show that several determinants can both compare and differentiate the choice of training options for girls and boys. First, it seems that for most students, boys and girls, high performance in mathematics and important support from teachers as perceived by the students at the end of high school is more related to the choice of pure science field and health sciences than humanities. However, the support of parents seemed to be more relevant for girls, than for boys, who choose the health sciences. Surprisingly, teacher support as perceived seems to be more relevant for boys than for girls who choose humanities. Also, a low sense of mathematical competence is associated with the choice of humanities courses, while a strong mathematics anxiety in girls is associated with health sciences sectors. For boys, it's greater interest in mathematics which is critical to choose the pure sciences field. The perception of the usefulness of mathematics is crucial for both boys and girls who choose science field leading them to careers in STEM. In sum, our results suggest that support in mathematics from the significant adults, as perceived by students, is less dominant than expectations of success (self-efficacy and anxiety) and the value placed on mathematics (interest and utility perceived) to compare boys and girls in their choice of field. In the light of the results obtained, we believe that the implementation of measures in schools to strengthen the self-efficacy of girls in mathematics and especially to reduce their anxiety levels in this area would be a promising way to achieve parity between boys and girls in STEM fields.