The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between 6th grade students&rsquo / problem solving achievement scores after completing instruction on problem solving and their mathematics achievement mean scores related to Least Common Multiple (LCM), Greatest Common Factor (GCF), Sets and Whole Numbers topics obtained throughout the semester. In addition, the relationship between 6th grade students&rsquo / problem solving achievement scores after completing instruction on problem solving and their actual mathematics net scores obtained from Level Determination Exam (SBS) was investigated. In total, 170 sixth grade students from a private school in Istanbul participated in the study. The data were collected via three sources namely / Problem Solving Achievement Tests (PSATs), Mathematics Achievement Tests (MATs) and SBS exam. Quantitative methods were utilized to examine the research questions and a correlational design was used. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between students&rsquo / problem solving achievement scores after completing instruction on problem solving and their mathematics achievement mean scores obtained through out the semester related to LCM, GCF, Sets and Whole Numbers Topics. In addition, the findings of the analysis showed that there was a significant large positive correlation between the problem solving achievement scores after completing instruction on problem solving and students&rsquo / actual mathematics net scores obtained from SBS.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of socioeconomic status, school factors (classroom climate, classroom activities) and affective variables (motivation, self-efficacy, mathematics anxiety, beliefs about the nature of mathematics and teaching of mathematics, students&rsquo / perceptions of their teachers and parents&rsquo / attitudes toward them) on mathematics achievement with 9th grade students in Ankara. For this purpose, structural equation modeling techniques were used. In the study, there were two research problems: &ldquo / What was the general model explaining the effects of socioeconomic status, affective and school factors on students&rsquo / mathematics achievement?&rdquo / and &ldquo / how the proposed model explained mathematics achievement in three school types (Anatolian, general and vocational high schools)?&rdquo / Some of the results of the analyses conducted in the study are the followings: In the main study, socioeconomic status had strong effect on mathematics achievement. In addition, while student-centered activities generally affected students&rsquo / mathematics achievement in a positive way but indirectly, teacher-centered activities had negative effects on affective variables. But for Anatolian and vocational high schools, this negative effect turned positive on mathematics achievement. In the main study, classroom climate had positive direct effects on self-efficacy and motivation toward mathematics as well as on mathematics achievement. Generally, affective variables had positive effects on mathematics achievement. But mathematics anxiety had no significant effect on it except general high school. The results of present study indicated that students&rsquo / perceptions of their parents and teachers&rsquo / attitudes and expectations toward them had positive indirect effects on mathematics achievement.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of problem solving approaches on pre-service elementary teachers&rsquo / basic mathematics achievement, problem- solving performance and their self regulated learning. The study was conducted as quasi - experimental design with 110 elementary school pre-service teachers at a public university in Central Anatolia Region in the 2007-2008 academic year during the second semester. The time duration of the study was 12 weeks. Experimental group was instructed by questioning problem solving approach while control group was instructed by traditional problem solving approach. The data were collected through Basic Mathematics Achievement Test, Mathematical Problem Solving Test, Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, Treatment Evaluation Form, interviews and observation checklists. The quantitative data was analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. The results revealed that questioning problem solving approach had a statistically significant effect on pre-service elementary school teachers&rsquo / basic mathematics achievement, problem solving performance, task value, and control of learning beliefs, metacognitive self-regulation and effort regulation. However, there was no statistically significant mean difference between the experimental and control group in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic goal orientation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, test anxiety, rehersal, elaboration, organisation, critical thinking, time and study environment management, peer learning and help seeking. In addition the interview results showed that questioning problem solving approach had developed pre-service teachers&rsquo / skills on Polya&rsquo / s problem solving phase which were devising a plan and looking back. The common opinions among the students about the qustioning problem solving approach that questioning problem solving approach improved their problem solving skills and they learned new ways of solution through class discussions. Moreover, they implied that they learned to think differently.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the structural relationships among self-reported mathematics achievement, attitudes toward statistics, and statistics outcomes by testing a structural model. The current study utilized a survey design. The participants of study consisted of 247 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in statistics courses in a university in Turkey. The participants were from different disciplines such as engineering, education, and economics. The Turkish version of the Survey of Attitudes toward Statistics-36&copy / (SATS-36&copy / ) was used to collect data. The SATS-36&copy / assessed six components of statistics attitudes: cognitive competence, value, difficulty, effort, interest, and affect. Higher scores of the six components referred to the more positive attitudes. In addition, the SATS-36&copy / involved additional items to measure students&rsquo / self-reports of mathematics achievement and statistics outcomes. Results of the descriptive statistics analyses revealed that participants of the study had positive attitudes toward statistics except that they had neutral perceptions about the difficulty of statistics and neutral interest in statistics. Statistics outcomes variable was significantly correlated with mathematics achievement, affect, value, interest, and effort variables. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized structural regression model. Results indicated that affect, value, cognitive competence, and interest variables had large total standardized effects on statistics outcomes variable. Mathematics achievement and the effort variables had small total effects on explaining statistics outcomes. Difficulty had no statistically significant total effect on explaining statistics outcomes. Overall, the hypothesized structural regression model explained 66% of the total variance in statistics outcomes, which was statistically significant.

This study empirically tested Benard’s (1991, 2004) theory of resilience and youth development by examining the influence of caring relationships, high expectations and opportunities for participation and contribution within the schools on the mathematics achievement and timely graduation of public high school students. Additional analyses focused on subsamples of students who were at risk of academic failure and school dropout—students from the lowest socioeconomic quartile, African American and Hispanic students, and a generic at-risk sample that includes students from these three groups plus students who had nontraditional families, had a disability, or were retained a grade in school. The study used data from the Educational Longitudinal Study: 2002, which was designed to monitor young people as they transition from tenth grade to postsecondary education and/or employment. Hierarchical Linear Models and Hierarchical Generalized Linear Models were used for the analyses. Experiences within the schools that conveyed caring relationships, high expectations, and opportunities for participation and contribution were associated with higher senior year mathematics achievement scores and increased odds of timely graduation for the overall public school sample and for the at-risk groups. Suggestions are made for increasing caring relationships, high expectations, and opportunities for participation and contribution within the schools. The limitations of this study and directions for further research are also discussed. / text

Esta pesquisa investiga processos cognitivos envolvidos na aprendizagem. Para isso, compara-se o desempenho acadêmico, o desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático em trinta e cinco adolescentes do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio do Colégio Júlio de Castilhos. O desempenho acadêmico é representado pela média obtida por cada um de 35 alunos, no primeiro trimestre do ano letivo de 2010 nas disciplinas que compõem o programa, excetuando-se a matemática. O desempenho matemático é representado pela nota final na disciplina no mesmo trimestre. O executivo central da memória de trabalho é avaliado por meio de dois subtestes selecionados da Bateria de Avaliação da Memória de Trabalho da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. O raciocínio lógico-matemático é avaliado com a tarefa piagetiana o equilíbrio da balança. Os dados obtidos através dos testes para avaliação do executivo central da memória de trabalho são estudados com análise estatística inferencial. Os dados obtidos com o método clínico piagetiano na aplicação da tarefa o equilíbrio da balança são estudados por meio de análise descritiva, além de serem transformados em escores a fim de serem incluídos na análise estatística inferencial. Encontrou-se correlação entre as quatro funções estudadas através do teste de correlação de Pearson. Os alunos são agrupados conforme o desempenho acadêmico, em alunos com desempenho alto, intermediário e baixo e, com esta categorização, é realizada a comparação entre grupos quanto ao desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático, por Análise de Variância. Encontrou-se que as funções diferem nos três grupos na maioria das comparações. Conclui-se que o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático têm um papel importante no desempenho acadêmico do aluno adolescente. / This research investigates the cognitive processes involved in learning. For this purpose, it compares academic performance, mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning in thirty-five teenagers in their first year of High School in a public school. Academic performance for each student is assessed through the average grade obtained in the first quarter of the 2010 academic year, in the subjects that comprise the program, except mathematics. The mathematical performance is represented by the final grade in the subject in the same quarter. The central executive of working memory is assessed by two subtests selected from the Working Memory Assessment Battery from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. The logical-mathematical reasoning abilities are assessed by the Piagetian task called the balance equilibrium. The data obtained through tests to assess the central executive of working memory are interpreted by means of inferential statistical analysis. The data obtained by the clinical method of application of the Piagetian task the balance equilibrium are studied through descriptive analysis and are converted into scores, which are then included in the inferential statistical analysis. There is a correlation between the four functions studied by the Pearson correlation test. The mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning are analysed among groups of students with above-, lower- and average academic performances. The functions in the three groups differed on most comparisons. The central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning play an important role in the academic performance of teenage students.

Esta pesquisa investiga processos cognitivos envolvidos na aprendizagem. Para isso, compara-se o desempenho acadêmico, o desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático em trinta e cinco adolescentes do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio do Colégio Júlio de Castilhos. O desempenho acadêmico é representado pela média obtida por cada um de 35 alunos, no primeiro trimestre do ano letivo de 2010 nas disciplinas que compõem o programa, excetuando-se a matemática. O desempenho matemático é representado pela nota final na disciplina no mesmo trimestre. O executivo central da memória de trabalho é avaliado por meio de dois subtestes selecionados da Bateria de Avaliação da Memória de Trabalho da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. O raciocínio lógico-matemático é avaliado com a tarefa piagetiana o equilíbrio da balança. Os dados obtidos através dos testes para avaliação do executivo central da memória de trabalho são estudados com análise estatística inferencial. Os dados obtidos com o método clínico piagetiano na aplicação da tarefa o equilíbrio da balança são estudados por meio de análise descritiva, além de serem transformados em escores a fim de serem incluídos na análise estatística inferencial. Encontrou-se correlação entre as quatro funções estudadas através do teste de correlação de Pearson. Os alunos são agrupados conforme o desempenho acadêmico, em alunos com desempenho alto, intermediário e baixo e, com esta categorização, é realizada a comparação entre grupos quanto ao desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático, por Análise de Variância. Encontrou-se que as funções diferem nos três grupos na maioria das comparações. Conclui-se que o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático têm um papel importante no desempenho acadêmico do aluno adolescente. / This research investigates the cognitive processes involved in learning. For this purpose, it compares academic performance, mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning in thirty-five teenagers in their first year of High School in a public school. Academic performance for each student is assessed through the average grade obtained in the first quarter of the 2010 academic year, in the subjects that comprise the program, except mathematics. The mathematical performance is represented by the final grade in the subject in the same quarter. The central executive of working memory is assessed by two subtests selected from the Working Memory Assessment Battery from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. The logical-mathematical reasoning abilities are assessed by the Piagetian task called the balance equilibrium. The data obtained through tests to assess the central executive of working memory are interpreted by means of inferential statistical analysis. The data obtained by the clinical method of application of the Piagetian task the balance equilibrium are studied through descriptive analysis and are converted into scores, which are then included in the inferential statistical analysis. There is a correlation between the four functions studied by the Pearson correlation test. The mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning are analysed among groups of students with above-, lower- and average academic performances. The functions in the three groups differed on most comparisons. The central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning play an important role in the academic performance of teenage students.

Esta pesquisa investiga processos cognitivos envolvidos na aprendizagem. Para isso, compara-se o desempenho acadêmico, o desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático em trinta e cinco adolescentes do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio do Colégio Júlio de Castilhos. O desempenho acadêmico é representado pela média obtida por cada um de 35 alunos, no primeiro trimestre do ano letivo de 2010 nas disciplinas que compõem o programa, excetuando-se a matemática. O desempenho matemático é representado pela nota final na disciplina no mesmo trimestre. O executivo central da memória de trabalho é avaliado por meio de dois subtestes selecionados da Bateria de Avaliação da Memória de Trabalho da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. O raciocínio lógico-matemático é avaliado com a tarefa piagetiana o equilíbrio da balança. Os dados obtidos através dos testes para avaliação do executivo central da memória de trabalho são estudados com análise estatística inferencial. Os dados obtidos com o método clínico piagetiano na aplicação da tarefa o equilíbrio da balança são estudados por meio de análise descritiva, além de serem transformados em escores a fim de serem incluídos na análise estatística inferencial. Encontrou-se correlação entre as quatro funções estudadas através do teste de correlação de Pearson. Os alunos são agrupados conforme o desempenho acadêmico, em alunos com desempenho alto, intermediário e baixo e, com esta categorização, é realizada a comparação entre grupos quanto ao desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático, por Análise de Variância. Encontrou-se que as funções diferem nos três grupos na maioria das comparações. Conclui-se que o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático têm um papel importante no desempenho acadêmico do aluno adolescente. / This research investigates the cognitive processes involved in learning. For this purpose, it compares academic performance, mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning in thirty-five teenagers in their first year of High School in a public school. Academic performance for each student is assessed through the average grade obtained in the first quarter of the 2010 academic year, in the subjects that comprise the program, except mathematics. The mathematical performance is represented by the final grade in the subject in the same quarter. The central executive of working memory is assessed by two subtests selected from the Working Memory Assessment Battery from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. The logical-mathematical reasoning abilities are assessed by the Piagetian task called the balance equilibrium. The data obtained through tests to assess the central executive of working memory are interpreted by means of inferential statistical analysis. The data obtained by the clinical method of application of the Piagetian task the balance equilibrium are studied through descriptive analysis and are converted into scores, which are then included in the inferential statistical analysis. There is a correlation between the four functions studied by the Pearson correlation test. The mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning are analysed among groups of students with above-, lower- and average academic performances. The functions in the three groups differed on most comparisons. The central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning play an important role in the academic performance of teenage students.

abstract: This study investigates Black male students' perceptions of their teachers' curricular expectations in mathematics classrooms. Curriculum in this study refers to what knowledge students are expected to learn, and the manner in which they are expected to learn it. The topic of this dissertation is in response to persisting and prevailing achievement disparities experienced by secondary Black male students in mathematics. These disparities exist at the school, district, state, and national level. Utilizing an action research methodology, multiple cycles of data collection led to the final iteration of the study, collecting strictly qualitative data and drawing from critical race methodology to address the three research questions. The three research questions of this study seek to address how Black male students perceive their mathematics teachers’ curricular expectations, what practices they have found to be effective in meeting their teachers’ higher curricular expectations, and to determine how they view the reform practices as part of the intervention. Research questions were answered using one-on-one and focus group interviews, classroom observations, and student journals. An intervention was developed and delivered as part of the action research, which was an attempt at curriculum reform influenced by culturally relevant pedagogy, warm demander pedagogy, and youth participatory action research. Findings from the qualitative methods, led to four assertions. The first assertion states, despite achievement disparities, Black male students care very much about their academic success. Second, a primary factor hindering Black male students’ academic success, as communicated by participants, is what they are learning and how they are learning it. Speaking to teachers’ expectations, participants believe their teachers want them to succeed and think highly of them. Additionally, participants preferred interactive, enthusiastic, and caring teachers, even if those teachers are academically demanding. Finally, participants found learning mathematics addressing a problem that affects them, while incorporating components that address their invisibility in the curriculum, increased relevance, interest, and academic self-awareness. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2020

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the use of a computer-managed integrated learning system entitled Accelerated Math (AM) as a supplement to traditional mathematics instruction on achievement as measured by TerraNova achievement tests of third and fourth grade high-ability students. Gender, socioeconomic status, and grade level were also considered. The population consisted of 624 students who were third and fourth grade high-ability students during the 2009-2010 school year. Data were gathered that covered a 1-year period for high-ability third and fourth graders. A series of independent samples t-tests were used to identify relationship among variables. The researcher's investigation of the relationship between AM and mathematics achievement might assist educators in planning for use of technology as a supplement to the normal mathematics curriculum. The findings indicated measurable differences in the performance of high-ability third and fourth grade students who qualified for free and reduced priced lunch and participated in AM compared to high-ability students who qualified for free and reduced priced lunch and did not participate in the program. High-ability students who participated in the AM program and who qualified for free and reduced lunch scored significantly higher on the TerraNova math achievement test than students who did not participate in AM and who qualified for free and reduced lunch. There were also measurable differences in the performance of high-ability fourth grade students who participated in the AM program compared to those who did not participate in the program. Fourth grade high-ability students who participated in the AM program scored significantly higher on the TerraNova math achievement test than fourth grade students who did not participate in the program. This study indicated no significant findings among gender, students in grade 3, and students who did not qualify for free and reduced price lunch who did and did not participate in the AM program.