Maltese Form One students : attitude towards mathematics and understanding of measurement concepts

Abstract

440 form one students in Maltese state secondary schools were identified as a representative sample of the corresponding population. Two tests, a self-constructed Attitude Test meant to indicate children's general attitude towards mathematics, and part of the CSMS 'Measurement Test' were administered to this sample. However, owing mainly to absent students on days of testing, data were collected from 408 students (198 boys and 220 girls) for the Attitude Test, and from 411 students (206 boys and 205 girls) for the Measurement Test. Apart from the Attitude Test, insights of children's feelings towards the subject were further gained through their affective responses on four additional questions which were administered jointly with the Attitude Test. Only the first 17 questions of the CSMS 'Measurement Test' dealing with 'length' and 'area' topics were utilized in this research.