Mathematical Resilience in Elementary School: Validation of a Tool to Support Student Success

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting Student Self-Efficacy in Mathematics Education (Table 9)

Abstract

Mathematical resilience is a positive adaptive stance to mathematics that allows students to persevere despite difficulties. The purpose of this study was to explore an instrument measuring the construct of Mathematical Resilience. Data from 189 fourth and fifth grade students in a southwest United States public school district were analyzed to examine whether the factor structure from the Mathematics Resilience Scale provided adequate model fit. Results from confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis did not support the validity of the hypothesized structure, but evidence does support a two-factor structure with sufficient validity evidence for use in research. This study provides yet another example of why it is critical to validate affective instruments when used with a new population.

Author

• Janice Kooken, Liberty University