Children's attitudes towards mathematics at Form One level in area secondary state schools

Abstract

This study investigates the attitudes of form one Area Secondary students towards mathematics. The students were given an attitude questionnaire comprising a 24 item Attitude Test and a set of 8 affective type questions. The Attitude Test is made up of three subscales, namely: Subscale 1- Importance and Utility; Subscale 2- Lessons and Textbook; and Subscale 3- Topics and Exams. With regards to each of the 8 questions, the students were asked to indicate a preference. The Attitude Test was administered to 146 girls and 129 boys attending form one classes in four state area secondary schools. This test was constructed and used by another researcher Calleja (1993) with a sample of form one junior lyceum students. Since the test was found to be both reliable and valid by Calleja, there was no need to repeat the process of testing for reliability and validity. Variables such as the students' age, their family social background and their mathematical achievement were analysed in relation to their attitudes towards mathematics. In addition, sex differences on attitudes were also studied.