Promoting Adolescents' Math Motivational Beliefs: Competence Supportive Practices in Math Enrichment Program

• In Event: Out-of-School Time as a Mechanism for Promoting School Engagement

Abstract

Out-school-time programs including STEM enrichment programs can serve as a promotive context for adolescents’ motivational beliefs in math by providing a supportive environment for adolescents’ psychological need for competence. Utilizing mixed methods, this study examined Latino/as middle school students’ experiences in a university-based math enrichment program. First, we used quantitative methods to examine the association between adolescents’ perception of competence support and changes in their math motivational beliefs (i.e., math ability self-concept and subjective task-value) in the program. Second, utilizing qualitative methods, we examined the specific ways that frontline staff helped to support adolescents’ sense of competence in the program and their role in promoting adolescents’ motivational beliefs in math.

Authors

• Mark Vincent B Yu, University of California, Irvine

• Ta-yang Hsieh, Search Institute

• Glona Lee, University of California - Irvine

• Su Jiang, University of California - Irvine

• Sandra D. Simpkins, University of California - Irvine

• Alessandra Pantano, University of California - Irvine