Introduction
Mathematics is a very important subject for a personās prosperity in the society. Many studies conducted over time reveal that students are more likely to perform substantially in mathematics if they are actively supported by both teachers and parents (Lamb & Fullarton, 2002; Patall, Cooper & Robinson, 2008). However, global patterns of mathematics performance reinforce the conviction that the subject continues to present a lot of challenges to students regardless of the many inputs intended to uplift its standards.
Not only must students deal with a wide array of mathematical skills such as the computation of decimals, percentages, fractions, and algebra to accomplish basic and compounded tasks, but must also understand the fundamental numerical concepts in order to be successful in their day-to-day educational and private activities, in addition to their work place environment later on in life (Grouws, 1992). Research has also constantly revealed that many learners develop a poor attitude towards the subject, and are not convinced about their mathematical inclination to solve problems.
The main purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between studentsā achievement in mathematics due to the teachersā support and the involvement of parents. The study will investigate the factors related to teaching and the positive interaction between teachers and students towards performance in mathematics. In addition, this paper will explore the ideal interrelationship between teachers and parents that can be effective in enhancing studentsā performance in mathematics.
Past research studies have shown that teachers who have experience of negative attitude towards mathematics tend to carry it on in their teaching. On the other hand, studies have shown that a parentās attitude towards mathematics has an impact on their childrenās learning of mathematics. Children who come from homes where parents have an interest in mathematics are more likely to exhibit the same behaviour in school.
Focus of the Study
After doing a research study on pre-service teachersā attitudes and beliefs towards mathematics, I was to explore the relationship between teachersā support and the parentsā involvement to their childrenās mathematics education to that of the childās performance in mathematics. Thus, in the previous research it was clear that teachers with negative attitudes and beliefs towards the mathematics subject are not very motivated in teaching the subject. Indeed, this negative attitude and beliefs is passed to their students unintentionally.
The previous research was a meta-analytic study and was not restricted to a particular country or context. The factors identified in the study were established from the thirty articles chosen for the research. Therefore, with the changing educational setting and cultural backgrounds, it is important to note that the factors identified in the study may not necessarily be the most crucial attitude and belief factors. Therefore, in this research study I would like to analyse PISA 2000 secondary data of Australia in exploring the relationship of studentsā performance in mathematics with the teachersā support and parentsā involvement.
Statement of the Problem
Several studies have shown that both teachersā support and the parentsā involvement in childrenās mathematics learning play a crucial role in the childrenās achievement in mathematics. Zacharos, Koliopoulos, Dokimaki & Kassoumi (2007, p. 307) stated that ā[t]eachersā attitudes and beliefs towards mathematics and its instruction are often reflected in their educational practices and thus affect their studentsā attitudes, interest and success in mathematicsā. Michigan Department of Education posited that āthe more intensely parents are involved, the more beneficial the achievement effectsā (2002, p.1).
Regardless of the fact that knowledge in mathematics, especially arithmetic, is required in our day to day life, it has long been perceived by many as a difficult subject (Akinsola & Tella, 2007). Therefore, it is important to investigate the relationship between the support provided by the teachers and the parentsā involvement in childrenās mathematics learning with the studentās achievement in mathematics. Thus, parents and teachers play a crucial role in shaping childrenās educational achievement.
Research Questions
In order to explore the relationship between studentsā achievement in mathematics with the teachersā support and parentsā involvement in childrenās learning, the following questions are focused in this research.
- What is the relationship between students achievement in mathematics and teachers support?
- What is the relationship between studentās achievement in mathematics and the parentās involvement?
- What are the factors that contribute to the studentās achievement in mathematical?
Research Method
This research study focuses on the relationship between the studentās mathematics performance and the teachersā support and parentsā involvement in childrenās mathematics education. Therefore, the most significant research method that will be effective in acquiring the desirable result will be quantitative research.
The study will be utilizing PISA 2000 data for Australia. According to the manual, sources and methods from the PISA website, survey method is used to collect data from a wide area by selecting a representative sample of a large population using a āscientific sampling methodā. Quantitative survey method is a significant research method because as Jones (2004) states āā¦ unless human behaviours can be expressed in numerical terms, it cannot be accurately measuredā. In addition, ā[quantitative] procedures ensure that your [researcherās] own personal biases and values do not influence the resultsā (Creswell, 2008, p. 58). In contrast, qualitative method usually uses case studies by selecting few individuals which in most cases may not show the actual picture for the entire population.
The quantitative research method is composed of two main sub-methods, namely descriptive and inferential method. In this research, inferential method will be used to describe the respondentsā responses. Lane (2007) states āinferential statistics are used to draw inferences about a population from a sampleā.
Inferential statistics are used for the testing of hypotheses to test the dependent variables with the independent variables in order to know the relationship between them (Lane, 2007; Wiersma, 1995). Creswell (2008) pointed out that inferential statistics are used when āanalyzing data from a sample to draw conclusions about an unknown populationā (p. 190).
Population and Sampling
As defined by Creswell (2008) population is, āa group of individuals who have the same characteristicsā (p.151). This group is also referred to as the target population or the sampling frame (Creswell, 2008, p152). The population for the study include 15 year old students from Australia.
A sample is defined as a sub-group or ārepresentativeā of the population (Creswell, 2008; Wiersma 1995). Thus, the results of the sample group can be generalized to the population. Creswell suggests taking a larger sample in order to minimise the āpotential error that the sample will be different from the populationā (2008, p. 156). According to Lokan, Greenwood and Cresswell (2001, p. viii) a national random sample size of ā6200 students from 321 Australian schoolsā from all regions participated in PISA2000.
Data Analysis
The responses given in the data set will be assigned numerical values which are referred as scoring data (Creswell, 2008). The coded data will be analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and it will be represented in graphs.
There are two variables in this study, namely dependent variable (student performance in mathematics) and two independent variables (teacher support: the interest the teacher shows in studentās learning; the opportunity provided to students to express their opinions; teachers help rendered to students with their work and teaching continued till students understand the concept) and parent involvement: time spent by the family members with childrenās homework).
Significance of the Study
Teacherās support and parents involvement in childrenās mathematics learning has a positive impact on studentās achievement in mathematics. The finding of this research study is significant for two major reasons;
This study would be very useful for parents and teachers to design and facilitate mathematics as a subject in such a way that it meets the needs of a cross-section of learners. The study would also identify the most critical factors that influence the studentsā performance in mathematics. From this background, the necessary changes can be made to the curriculum to make the study of mathematics not only enjoyable to the learners but also to achieve greater success.
The knowledge of mathematics acts as foundation for learning many different subjects in an effective manner and to be happy and successful in normal life. Therefore information gathered in this study would be fundamental in the design of a model that would include factors that determine success in mathematics. It thus includes the support that is necessitated for students from both teachersā and parentsā side.
Limitations
A number of limitations that exist have to be highlighted in this study. First, the scope of the research analysis undertaken in this study is to explore the relationship between studentsā achievement in mathematics and the teachersā support and parentsā involvement in the learning of mathematics. Because of time and financial constraints to carry out a study in Australia, the author focuses in analysing secondary data of PISA2000.
The purpose of the study is to inquire the relationship between studentās achievement in mathematics and the teachersā support and parentsā involvement in the learning of the subject. It is important to note that the data used in this study is the secondary data of PISA 2000. Therefore, the factors obtained are from the questions given in the PISA questionnaire. However, it is important to note that these elements are not necessarily the most crucial in determining the relationship between teachersā support and parentsā involvement in childrenās achievement in mathematics.
As the same questionnaire is being used in all the countries involved in the PISA survey, there is also a possibility that the crucial factors would keep on varying from one country to another. This situation is a limitation because the exact factors that are used to find the relationship in the Australian context may not be accurately identified.
Last but not least, with the changing educational setting and cultural backgrounds, many other factors are likely to be behind studentās performance in mathematics. As the data used in this study was obtained eight years ago, there is a possibility that the results of this study may not show the actual picture of the present situation.
Reference List
Akinsola, M. K. & Tella, A. (2007). Correlates of Academic Procrastination and Mathematics Achievement of University Undergraduate Students. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education. 3(4), p.363-370. Web.
Creswell, J.W. (2008). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. (3rded). New Jersey. Prenhall.
Grouws, D.A. (1992). Handbook of Research on Mathematics: Teaching and Learning. New York: Maxwell Macmillan International.
Jones, C. (2004). Quantitative and Qualitative Research: Conflicting Paradigms or Perfect Partners? Lancaster University. Web.
Lamb, S. & Fullarton, S. (2002). Classroom and school factors affecting mathematics achievement: a comparative study of Australia and the United States using TIMSS. Australian Journal of Education 46(2). p154-171.
Lane, D. (2007). HyperStat Online Statistics Textbook. Rice University. Web.
Lokan, J., Greenwood, L., & Cresswell, J. (2001). The PISA 2000 Survey of Students’ Reading, Mathematical and Scientific Literacy Skills. Web.
Patall, E. A., Cooper, H. & Robinson, J. C. (2008). Parent Involvement in Homework: A Research Synthesis. Review of Educational Research. 78(4). p.1039ā1101.
Wiersma, W. (1995). Research Methods in Education: An Introduction. (6th ed). Massachusetts. Allyn and Bacon.
What Research says about parent involvement in childrenās education: in relation to academic achievement. (2002). Michigan Department of Education. Web.
Zacharos, K., Koliopoulos, D., Dokimaki, M., & Kassoumi, H. (2007). Views of prospective early childhood education teachers, towards mathematics and its instruction. European Journal of Teacher Education. 30(3). p.305-318.