The Factors That Affect Mathematics In A Group Of Grade Five Students In A Rural School: Review of Literature

Essay by ReggaeyouthUniversity, Master'sA+, October 2008

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The purpose of this research is to investigate how some factors affect students' performance in Mathematics. Maine (1998) posits that Mathematics develops the strictures for cognitive and logical development. It is essential that students grasp the concepts in Mathematics as they will set the premise for further usage. The writer states that Mathematics is originally a study of quantity and of points, lines and figures in space. Modern mathematicians have enlarged its scope, however, to include the study of more abstract and basic concepts.

Most people use Mathematics in their everyday activities. Shopping, for example, requires some arithmetical skill. It is difficult to imagine any career in which Mathematics does not play some part. Mechanics, engineers, doctors, nurses, businessmen, soldiers, economists, all need mathematical tools to do their jobs. Consequently students should be encouraged to practice Mathematics so that they will reap the benefits in the future.

The researcher observed that a number of students in Grade Five were not performing at the mastery level in this subject area.

Clearly there were some factors that were affecting their performance. Some of these factors include socio - economic status of students, parental involvement and a lack of motivation.

After carefully examining these students it was apparent to the researcher that the factor of low socio-economic status played a vital role in the students' performance. From mere observation it was clear that the students from an upper and middle socio-economic status performed better than students from a low socio-economic status.

Another factor that concerned the researcher was the involvement of parents in the students' academic life. Students whose parents were involved in their education, performed higher than students whose parents were not involved.

In addition, motivation plays an important role in students' interest in the subject, Mathematics. The researcher realised that the...