The purpose of this study was to examine whether gender-based mathematics classes have a positive impact on the achievement levels of males and females. The study was conducted in order to give insight into the differentiated approach to teaching males and females separately and the effects the separate instruction has on mathematics achievement while closing the achievement gap. This study examined gender-based instruction as a strategy along with other variables that are perceived as having an impact on student achievement. The independent variables in the study were instructional leadership, teacher certification level, teacher content knowledge, teacher knowledge of primary gender learning styles, teacher expectations, gender-based instruction, teacher demographics, and student demographics. The dependent variable was student achievement in mathematics. The study was conducted in an elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia among third, fourth, and filth grade students and teachers. The 2007 Georgia Criterion Reference Competency Test (GCRCT) data were used as pretest data prior to teachers teaching students in a gender-based selling. Eleven teachers were given professional development in male/female primary learning styles. differentiated instruction, culturally responsive teaching, and data analysis. Anonymous surveys were completed by teachers and students. In addition, student demographic data were analyzed. The study was conducted in a Title I elementary school. Ninety-nine percent of the school’s students are on free or reduced lunch. The school serves 85% African- American students and 15% Hispanic, Latina/Latino. The school’s enrollment, K-5 is approximately 550 students. The results of the study indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship between a teacher’s content knowledge. years of experience, and his/her expectations relative to student achievement in mathematics. A regression analysis found that the most impacting variables on student achievement in gender-based classrooms were teacher expectancy, teaching experience and instructional leadership. A regression analysis was used to further determine which independent variables had the strongest impact on student achievement in mathematics. The regression showed that the strongest impacting variables again were teacher expectancy, teacher experience and instructional leadership; however, these variables are mediating at best. Those variables found to be the most significant in relationship to student achievement in mathematics were: gender-based instruction, teacher knowledge of student learning styles, and discipline.

Student Number: 0111229X. PhD Thesis. Faculty of Science. School of Education / This study is part of a larger national study, the Learners’ Perspectives Study. The main focus of this particular study is to explore, describe and explain learners’ perspectives regarding the incorporation of the everyday in mathematics. Two Grade 8 mathematics classrooms in two different schools, Umhlanga and Settlers are used as sites for empirical data. Learners’ perspectives are sought through a series of post-lesson interviews with different groups of learners for lessons in which the everyday was summoned for a mathematics lesson. During these interviews, learners whether 1. They welcomed or appreciated the use of the everyday in class or not and 2. The everyday inhibited or enabled easy access to mathematics content. In order to understand the background against which these perspectives are held, mathematics lessons wherein the everyday was incorporated were observed, recorded and transcribed. In addition, teachers’ views about these lessons were explored through interviews and activities which incorporated the everyday were analysed. I used Bernstein’s notions of classification and framing as a theoretical lens through which to account for my observations. It became necessary though, to supplement these through Dowling’s domains of text analysis (esoteric, expressive, public and descriptive). I also introduced the notion of authentic/inauthentic and close/far descriptions. It is a combination of these three broad theoretical frameworks which assisted in the provision of a comprehensive theoretical account. The significance of mathematics-everyday aspect in mathematics education is highlighted by the number of studies, as discussed in the study, and different orientations from which this aspect is engaged. What can be teased out of these studies is that mathematics education debates are seldom informed by the learners’ perspectives. The study suggests that most of the learners who participated in the interviews welcomed and appreciated the use of the everyday in mathematics. However, most learners (particularly from Umhlanga) viewed mathematics as a platform to raise genuine concerns about the everyday used. In contrast, some learners (particularly from Settlers) viewed the everyday as vehicles or see-throughs towards the mathematics content. What this study viii suggests is that, firstly, the everyday is multifaceted and the nature of the context summoned tends to influence views learners hold about the role of the everyday in mathematics. Secondly, the study suggests that learners’ perspectives about the everyday cannot be divorced from the classroom context in which they encounter these everyday contexts.