Examining the Relationship Between Mathematics Proficiency and Attitudes About Math

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  In Roundtable Session: Emotions and Attitudes in Mathematics

Abstract

This study measured mathematics proficiency and attitudes toward mathematics among 84 ninth-grade Algebra 1 students in southern California. Overall scores on the Attitudes Towards Mathematics Inventory (ATMI) (Tapia and Marsh, 2000) were not found to predict scores on the Smarter Balanced Assessment for mathematics. However, statistically significant differences were found between groups of students on subscales of the AMTI. Counterintuitively, students who scored lower on the Smarter Balanced math test expressed more positive attitudes toward math. Further, students with the most English proficiency claimed to like math less, while those with the least proficiency claimed to enjoy it more. This study points to a complex relationship between students’ attitudes towards mathematics and their mathematical proficiency.

Authors

• Heidi Mahmud, Los Angeles Unified School District

• Randy Fall, Azusa Pacific University