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Introduction: In today's world, which is progressively oriented towards science and technology and facing a growing demand for skilled professionals, it becomes essential to identify the factors that encourage individuals to pursue careers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Previous research has shown that affective‐motivational factors, math performance and gender influence STEM occupational and academic choices in adulthood. However, few studies examined how these factors may influence STEM choices as early as middle school. This study aims to assess how math anxiety, math self‐efficacy, math performance and gender influence STEM school choices during middle school. Methods: We longitudinally assessed a group of 109 students (Year 6) over three school years, with measurements taken on three different occasions. Results: Findings indicated that individuals who made an STEM school choice experienced lower math anxiety, higher self‐efficacy and math performance and were predominantly male. Furthermore, the results indicated that both math anxiety in Year 7 and self‐efficacy in Year 6 made the most substantial unique contributions to the STEM school choice. Conclusion: Math anxiety and math self‐efficacy seem to be both crucial in influencing middle school students' STEM choices, offering new perspectives for early interventions aimed at promoting more informed school choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gender-sensitive analysis of influencing factors on mathematical performance of primary school pupils can yield valuable insights into facilitating this vital phase of pupils' educational trajectory. We view gender-sensitive mathematical performance in primary school based on works of Niklas (Psychologie in Erziehung und Unterricht, 62, 106, 2015) and Luttenberger et al. (Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 11, 311–322, 2018). All elements of their models can be assigned to structural traits of origin, home learning environment, interacting variables, and mathematics performance. These are presented and described in terms of gender. In our four-year long longitudinal study (n = 239) with four measurement points in primary school, the interplay and predictive power of these elements were analysed with structural equation model. Among the structural traits of origin, socio-economic status and migration background are relevant concerning precursor skills. The home learning environment is not relevant for precursor skills or later mathematics performance. The precursor skills and self-concept appear to be significant for mathematics performance whereas enjoyment of the subject does not matter. Gender affected only two measuring points of mathematics performance, so that the results support the gender similarity hypothesis according to Hyde (The American psychologist, 60, 581–592, 2005.) According to our study, school entry is not shaped by gender differences in social background, affective characteristics, or precursor skills. The results emphasize gender equality at the start of school, so that it is of interest for future studies to determine when and on the basis of which criteria performance differences develop in mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender differences in reading and math have been reported for many years. Girls outperform boys in reading (representing a school domain stereotyped as female); boys often perform slightly better in math (a stereotypical male domain). Research has so far investigated the contribution of domain-specific academic self-concepts and interests as well as gender stereotypes to these gender differences. Students' gender role attitudes (GRAs) and their relation with gender disparities in school performance, however, have been studied little. This study examines if students' GRAs contribute to explaining boys' higher math achievement and girls' higher reading achievement. Using PISA-2009 data from Germany, the sample included 9,460 grade nine students (49.70% girls; Mage = 15.61 years). Regression analyses revealed that egalitarian GRAs are beneficial for all students. Still more so for girls, egalitarian GRAs help girls perform particularly well in reading and compensate for possible disadvantages in math. In reading, girls with egalitarian GRAs reached higher performance scores than boys with egalitarian GRAs. In math, girls with egalitarian GRAs scored nearly as high as boys with egalitarian GRAs. Boys also benefited from egalitarian GRAs, although not as much as girls. Although gender disparities in reading and math achievement were explained only partly by students' GRAs, supporting boys and girls in endorsing egalitarian GRAs is worthwhile as they may help to increase societal gender equality more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has suggested that math anxiety may contribute to poor math performance by interfering with working memory. However, only a limited number of studies investigated the mediating role of working memory in the math anxiety-math performance link in school-aged children. Unlike math anxiety, ego-resiliency is a personality resource that promotes the management of challenges and has been positively associated with math performance and negatively with anxiety. Nevertheless, there is still limited understanding regarding the specific role of ego-resiliency in math learning and how it relates to math anxiety. This study aimed to investigate conjunctly the interplay between primary school children's ego-resiliency, math anxiety, working memory, and performance on two different math tasks (i.e., arithmetic task and word problem-solving task), after controlling for general anxiety and age. The study involved 185 Italian children from grades 3 to 5. Serial multi-mediational analyses revealed that: (1) ego-resiliency has a positive indirect effect on math achievement through two paths - math anxiety, and math anxiety and working memory; (2) the study replicated previous findings showing that working memory partially mediated the relationship between math anxiety and math performance; (3) similar patterns of results were found for both math skills. The study identifies ego-resiliency as a possible protective factor in the development of math anxiety and suggests that ego-resiliency could be worth considering when designing interventions aimed at reducing negative emotions towards mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although socioeconomic disadvantage is linked with academic underachievement, many children from low‐income backgrounds perform well in school. Which modifiable factors predict this academic resilience? We examine between‐ and within‐person predictors of one important academic metric – mathematics performance – across adolescence in 1715 (796 male, 919 female) youth living in poverty in Ireland, using data from three waves (9, 13, and 17/18 years) of the Growing Up in Ireland study. Using linear mixed models, math performance was worse when adolescents had more socioemotional and behavioural difficulties, more child–parent relationship conflict, parents had lower expectations of the adolescent's educational achievement, and when primary caregivers had less education. Adolescents who had better intellectual self‐concept and attended a non‐disadvantaged school had greater math performance. This research adds to the growing body of work suggesting academic resilience is dynamic and multisystemic; it provides potential targets at multiple levels to promote such resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a large body of evidence suggests that gender inequality in access to primary education has reduced significantly in India, there has been relatively little research on gender gap in learning outcomes, particularly math scores. Using a nationally representative household dataset, this study examines the role of parental resources in explaining gender gap in math scores for primary school-going children in India. We find that male children have significantly higher math scores than their female counterparts. However, this difference decreases with the increase in parental education and household assets. We also find that family investment in education explains a large part of gender gap in math. Overall, our findings provide a new understanding of gender gap in math scores in India. It has important policy implications for minimising gender gap in academic achievement to make school education more gender-inclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: This study examines the role of subjective anxiety (mathematics and spatial anxiety), along with physiological responses, in mathematics or math and mental rotation performance in 131 German primary school students (65 girls, 66 boys; Mean age = 8.73 years). (2) Method: Students' preference for math vs. German and their subjective anxiety were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Emotional reactivity was measured using the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). Math performance was evaluated via percentage scored and completion times on number line estimation, word problems, and missing terms tasks. Spatial skills were assessed using a novel mental rotation task (nMRT) incorporating gender-congruent and -neutral stimuli. (3) Results: Girls outperformed boys on percentage scored on the math task but took longer to complete this. No gender differences were found in performance on the nMRT. Girls demonstrated higher math anxiety and were less likely to prefer math over German. Math anxiety predicted math scores and accuracy on the nMRT while gender predicted math performance and mental rotation response time. Subject preference was associated with longer completion times and emotional reactivity with longer response times. Girls' preference for math and lower emotional reactivity was linked to shorter completion times, while lower math anxiety predicted higher scores. In contrast, these factors did not affect boys' math performance. Additionally, subjective anxiety, emotional reactivity, or subject preference did not impact spatial performance for either gender. (4) Conclusions: Supporting mathematical self-efficacy and emotional regulation, especially in girls, is crucial for enhancing STEM outcomes in primary education. Gender-fair assessment in mental rotation reveals equitable spatial performance and reduces the impact of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the hypothesis of Maloney et al. (Cognition 114(2):293–297, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2009.09.013), math anxiety is related to deficits in numerical magnitude processing, which in turn compromises the development of advanced math skills. Because previous studies on this topic are contradictory, which may be due to methodological differences in the measurement of numerical magnitude processing, we tested Maloney et al.'s hypothesis using different tasks and their indicators: numerical magnitude processing (symbolic and non-symbolic comparison tasks: accuracy, reaction time, numerical ratio, distance and size effects, and Weber fraction; number line estimation task: estimation error), math anxiety (combined scores of learning, testing, math problem solving, and general math anxiety), and math performance. The results of our study conducted on 119 young adults mostly support the hypothesis proposed by Maloney et al. that deficiency in symbolic magnitude processing is related to math anxiety, but the relationship between non-symbolic processes and math anxiety was opposite to the assumptions. Moreover, the results indicate that estimation processes (but not comparison processes) and math anxiety are related to math performance in adults. Finally, high math anxiety moderated the relationship between reaction time in the symbolic comparison task, reaction time in the non-symbolic comparison task, numerical ratio effect in the symbolic comparison task, and math performance. Because the results of the joint effect of numerical magnitude processing and math anxiety on math performance were inconsistent, this part of the hypothesis is called into question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet, while offering convenience, can also have negative impacts on learning and quality of life. Previous studies have demonstrated a negative correlation between pathological Internet use and academic performance, but the nature of this relationship in relation to development remains unclear. Utilizing a large sample, the current study aimed to compare the incidence of problematic Internet use across different age groups and explore how the correlation between problematic Internet use and math performance varies with the age of students. Cluster random sampling was used to distribute questionnaires to students in a city in eastern China. A total of 17,208 fourth-grade students (age: M = 9.79, SD = 0.44) and 11,127 eighth-grade students (age: M = 13.65, SD = 0.54) participated in this study. They were asked to complete the Pathological Internet Usage Scale and several math-achievement tests. The results revealed that: (1) A smaller proportion of upper-grade students exhibited problematic Internet use compared to lower-grade students; (2) There was a significant negative correlation between problematic Internet use and math performance; and (3) This correlation was less pronounced among older student.These results suggest that the negative correlation between problematic Internet use and math achievement decreases with age, and this reduced correlation may be linked to increased academic stress. As Chinese students advance in grades, their academic responsibilities become more burdensome, leading to reduced Internet usage. The findings of this study aim to provide insights into enhancing the academic performance of students with problematic Internet use through environmental education interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed performance, process, and survey data of eighth graders with learning disabilities (LDs) who took the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) digital math test. Compared with students with LDs who did not receive extended time accommodations (ETAs), students with LDs who received and used ETA scored significantly higher on the test, whereas students with LDs who received but did not use ETA scored significantly lower on the test. In addition, students with LDs in the two ETA groups reported a lower level of perceived time pressure and a higher level of math interest and enjoyment than their peers who did not receive ETA. For students with LDs who received ETA, optimal performance was achieved with 50% additional time, while their peers who did not receive ETA typically performed best when utilizing most of their allotted time. The analysis of process data revealed that students with LDs who used ETA performed more actions, had a higher number of revisits, used universal design digital tools more frequently, and performed better on time-consuming items than their peers who did not receive ETA at the same level of math performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the magnitudes represented by numerals is a core component of early mathematical development and is often assessed by accuracy in situating numerals and fractions on a number line. Performance on these measures is consistently related to performance in other mathematics domains, but the strength of these relations may be overestimated because general cognitive ability has not been fully controlled in prior studies. The first of two meta‐analyses (162 studies, 33,101 participants) confirmed a relation between performance on whole number (r = 0.33) and fractions number (r = 0.41) lines and overall mathematics performance. These relations were generally consistent across content domains (e.g., algebra and computation) and other moderators. The second (71 studies, 14,543 participants) used meta‐analytic structural equation modeling to confirm these relations while controlling general cognitive ability (defined by IQ and working memory measures) and, in one analysis, general mathematics competence. The relation between number line performance and general mathematics competence remained significant but reduced (β = 0.13). Controlling general cognitive ability, whole number line performance consistently predicted competence with fractions but not performance on numeracy or computations measures. The results suggest an understanding of the magnitudes represented by whole numbers might be particularly important for students' fractions learning. Research Highlights: Two meta‐analyses examined the link between the number line and mathematics performance.The first revealed significant relations across domains (e.g., algebra and computation).The second controlled for general cognitive ability and resulted in reduced but still significant relations.The relation between number line and fractions performance was stronger than relations to other domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between text-to-speech (TTS) usage and item-by-item performance in the 2017 eighth-grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math assessment, focusing on students with disabilities (SWDs), English language learners (ELLs), and their general education (GE) peers. Results indicate that all students use TTS more for longer and more difficult math items as well as for multiple-choice or short-response formats. Among SWDs and GE students, lower math proficiency and higher perceived time pressure are linked to higher TTS usage. Moreover, among GE students, factors such as male gender, minority status, lower math persistence, and higher math interest and effort during testing contribute to higher TTS usage. TTS usage is positively associated with item performance for SWDs and ELLs who received extended time accommodations but not for those who did not receive such accommodations or for general education students. The study suggests that the time constraints of speeded digital assessments may limit the potential benefits of TTS for SWDs and ELLs in math problem-solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detrimental effect of math anxiety on math performance is thought to be mediated by executive functions. Previous studies have primarily focused on trait‐math anxiety rather than state‐math anxiety and have typically examined a single executive function rather than comprehensively evaluating all of them. Here, we used a structural equation modeling approach to concurrently determine the potential mediating roles of different executive functions (i.e., inhibition, switching, and updating) in the relationships between both state‐ and trait‐math anxiety and math performance. A battery of computer‐based tasks and questionnaires were administered to 205 university students. Two relevant results emerged. First, confirmatory factor analysis suggests that math anxiety encompassed both trait and state dimensions and, although they share substantial variance, trait‐math anxiety predicted math performance over and above state‐math anxiety. Second, working memory updating was the only executive function that mediated the relationship between math anxiety and math performance; neither inhibition nor switching played mediating roles. This calls into question whether some general proposals about the relationship between anxiety and executive functions can be extended specifically to math anxiety. We also raise the possibility that working memory updating or general cognitive difficulties might precede individual differences in math anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine how “stand-your-ground” (SYG) laws affect children’s academic performance. Methods: We analyze 2008–2018 nationwide school district-level math and reading/language arts (RLA) test scores for 3rd-8th grade students combined with information on SYG laws by state and year. We implement two estimation approaches—two-way-fixed effects and group-time average treatment effects—and conduct analyses stratified by student race (Black, White) and area income level. Results: We find negative effects of SYG on math achievement among all students using both estimation approaches (−0.0377 standard deviation decline, p

Deficits in working memory are often used as evidence to support the diagnosis of a neuropsychological disorder or acquired brain injury. Subtests that comprise the working memory index (WMI) of the WAIS-IV are assumed to all measure the same construct; however, deficits in basic arithmetic skills may unduly influence performance on the Arithmetic subtest, particularly among students with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The current study examined the relationship between working memory scores and measured mathematical ability in a sample of 605 postsecondary students seeking psychoeducational assessments to verify their need for academic accommodation. Different combinations of the three WAIS-IV working memory subtests' scores resulted in significantly different composite WMI scores. Across diagnostic groups, subtest scores were highest on Letter-Number Sequencing and Digit Span and lowest on Arithmetic. Furthermore, math achievement scores were more strongly correlated with Arithmetic scores than with Digit Span or Letter-Number Sequencing scores. Students with learning disabilities performed significantly more poorly on Arithmetic relative to students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Given the risk of clinicians falsely diagnosing a working memory impairment, we therefore advise clinicians to substitute out the Arithmetic subtest, which requires math skills, when evaluating young adults for neurodevelopmental conditions. This will avoid them being falsely identified as having a working memory impairment when in fact their working memory is intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was investigated whether test anxiety (TA), mathematics anxiety (MA), and reading anxiety (RA) can be traced back to some type of general academic anxiety or whether these are separable. A total of 776 fifth graders (Mage = 10.9 years) completed questionnaires on TA, MA, and RA, as well as a mathematics test. Also, mathematics and reading performance results from the National Tracking System were requested. The sample was randomly split into two halves. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that a three-factor model (factors: TA, MA, RA) had superior model fit compared with a one-factor model (factor: "Academic anxiety"), in both halves. The resulting anxiety factors were related to math performance measures using structural equation models. A scarcity of data on reading performance prevented the analysis of links between anxiety and reading performance. Anxiety–math performance relations were stronger for MA than for TA and MA. We concluded that TA, MA, and RA are separable constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematics is an important subject at all educational level. It is considered as one of the key subjects in most of the fields of study. However, Mathematics is a cause of anxiety for many students studying at different educational level. Math anxiety (MA) is considered as the sign of poor performance in Mathematics. The objective of this review study was to analyze Math anxiety (MA) and Math performance (MP) relationship under various factors and theories at school level. To conduct the review, a total of 63 full-text articles were selected from different databases by ensuring the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies reviewed indicated that MA and MP mostly depend on the complexity of mathematical assignments and dimensions of MA. MA evaluated with affective and cognitive dimensions under various theories indicated a negative impact on MP. The results also indicated that when MA is associated with complex mathematics problems that require numerous steps to solve indicated a higher degree of math anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: This study examines the role of subjective anxiety (mathematics and spatial anxiety), along with physiological responses, in mathematics or math and mental rotation performance in 131 German primary school students (65 girls, 66 boys; Mean age = 8.73 years). (2) Method: Students’ preference for math vs. German and their subjective anxiety were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Emotional reactivity was measured using the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). Math performance was evaluated via percentage scored and completion times on number line estimation, word problems, and missing terms tasks. Spatial skills were assessed using a novel mental rotation task (nMRT) incorporating gender-congruent and -neutral stimuli. (3) Results: Girls outperformed boys on percentage scored on the math task but took longer to complete this. No gender differences were found in performance on the nMRT. Girls demonstrated higher math anxiety and were less likely to prefer math over German. Math anxiety predicted math scores and accuracy on the nMRT while gender predicted math performance and mental rotation response time. Subject preference was associated with longer completion times and emotional reactivity with longer response times. Girls’ preference for math and lower emotional reactivity was linked to shorter completion times, while lower math anxiety predicted higher scores. In contrast, these factors did not affect boys’ math performance. Additionally, subjective anxiety, emotional reactivity, or subject preference did not impact spatial performance for either gender. (4) Conclusions: Supporting mathematical self-efficacy and emotional regulation, especially in girls, is crucial for enhancing STEM outcomes in primary education. Gender-fair assessment in mental rotation reveals equitable spatial performance and reduces the impact of anxiety.

The experience of math anxiety can have detrimental effects on students’ math performance, and researchers have in recent years tried to design interventions aiming at reducing math anxiety. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of math anxiety interventions in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. The meta-analysis comprised 50 studies and included 75 effect sizes. On average, the effect sizes were moderate (g = -0.467) for reducing math anxiety and improving math performance (g = 0.502). Interventions that focused on Cognitive support or regulating Emotions were effective both in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. In addition, longer interventions and interventions targeting students older than 12 had the biggest decrease in math anxiety. Study quality was not related to intervention outcomes.

For autistic students receiving special education services, little is known about their relative strengths, weaknesses, and enjoyment across different math content areas; their overall math interest and persistence are also not well-studied. Using the 2017 eighth-grade National Assessment of Education Progress data, this study finds, relative to general education peers with the same math proficiency level, autistic students scored higher and exhibited faster speed in solving visuospatial problems (e.g. identifying figures), but scored lower on math word problems with complex language or social context. Autistic students reported a higher level of enjoyment in solving math problems related to finding areas of shapes or figures but a lower level of persistence than their non-autistic, general education peers. Our work points out the need to help autistic students overcome their weaknesses in word problems and develop their mathematical persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematics anxiety (MA) is considered a potential barrier to success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. A good number of students around the globe are terrified of mathematics. They do whatever they can to avoid math or math-related subjects. Therefore, the early identification of MA and its underlying factors is crucial in initiating timely interventions that can enhance positive attitudes in math, boost math performance, minimize math avoidance, and motivate students to pursue math-related careers. In this paper, we have presented a unique, multifaceted, and complete web-based MA screening tool called identifying mathematics anxiety through an automated process (IMATAP) to assess MA, its severity, and its deficiency. This assessment provides a detailed explanation of developing MA and helps teachers, parents, educators, and researchers design need-based intervention techniques (personalized or cluster-based) to reduce MA, which will ultimately help math-anxious students overcome math fear. Over the past two years (2021-2022), IMATAP has been successfully implemented in nine different primary and secondary level institutions in Bangladesh. Findings revealed that the effectiveness of the IMATAP system has been appreciated and highly accepted by both students and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates how minority students demonstrate their math self-efficacy and performance, shaped by factors such as class preparation and math teacher support. Leveraging a comprehensive US national dataset, this study aims to provide broadly applicable insights and suggestions for students from diverse racial and linguistic backgrounds. The findings underscore the substantial influence of high school students' class preparation on teacher support, math self-efficacy, and math performance. Notably, teacher support exhibits a positive impact solely on math self-efficacy but does not extend to their math performance. Upon examination of various demographic groups, this research identifies noteworthy disparities in the effects experienced by different racial and linguistic groups. This study's results carry practical implications for educators and practitioners, shedding light on strategies to enhance various minority students' math self-efficacy and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of game-based therapy and game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques on the math performance and attitude of students with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD). A pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design was utilized to investigate the impact of independent variables on the dependent variable, with the use of a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of male students with MLD in third to sixth grades from a school in Khomeynishahr, Iran, in 2020. A purposive sampling method was used to select 36 students with MLD, who were randomly assigned to three groups, including an experimental group receiving game-based therapy, an experimental group receiving game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques, and a control group receiving no intervention. Shalev arithmetic disorder scale and Aiken's mathematics attitude scale were used to collect data. MANCOVA was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that game-based therapy and game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques significantly improved the math performance and attitude of the students (p < 0.05). Additionally, game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques was found to be more effective in improving math performance compared to game-based therapy alone (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed between the two interventions in improving attitude (p = 0.792). Therefore, it can be concluded that integrating game-based therapy with cognitive rehabilitation techniques can be more effective than other interventions in improving the math performance of students with MLD.

Introduction: Activating people's sense of attachment security can buffer against psychological threats. Here we tested whether security priming can also buffer the adverse effects of stereotype threat among women. Method: Three studies (a pilot study (N = 79 women, 72 men), a laboratory study; N = 474 women, and an online study; N = 827 women) compared security priming to neutral and positive affect priming. Results: The pilot study revealed that women exposed to attachment security primes (e.g., the word "love") had better math performance than women exposed to neutral primes (e.g., "boat"). Men's math performance did not differ across priming conditions. Study 1 revealed that women showed better math performance in the attachment security priming condition than in the neutral or positive (e.g., "luck") priming conditions. The effect was observed among women high on math identification. In Study 2, despite an effect of security priming on the manipulation check [higher State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM) security score], security did not buffer stereotype threat effects. Discussion: Our findings provide partial support to the idea that security priming (an interpersonal process) can buffer stereotype threat (an intergroup process). Theoretical and practical implications related to attachment security priming and stereotype threat are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Today, education in schools requires the use of methods that make learning enjoyable and effective for students. On the other hand, applying the suggestions and paying attention to the results of this research can change the attitudes of teachers, planners, and educational policy makers towards using more innovative approaches in education. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of learning mathematics using the VAK(Visual Auditory Kinesthetic) method on the attitudes and academic performance of primary school students in virtual education during the Corona period.Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all fifth-grade female students in Arak in the academic year of 1401-1400, out of which 30 students were randomly selected and assigned to experimental (15) and control (15) groups. The experimental group learned 12 online sessions of mathematical concepts with the help of the VAK strategy in the Shad Network e-learning program. Both groups were evaluated at the beginning and end of the training period through Aiken's (1978) attitudes towards mathematics questionnaire and the researcher-made math test. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (analysis of covariance to test hypotheses) were used for data analysis.Findings: The results of the research showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the attitudes and academic performance (P

Math learning programs were expected to revolutionize students' learning, but their effects so far have mostly been disappointing. Following the debate about why to continue research on math learning programs, we aimed to reformulate this question into how to continue this research. Investigations to date have neither considered a sufficiently wide set of outcome variables nor differentiated between performance measures (e.g., measuring addition and subtraction performance separately) and affective-motivational variables. Moreover, as students can only benefit from a program if they use it, researchers need to take practice behavior into account. Thus, we investigated whether the adaptive arithmetic learning program Math Garden fostered students' addition and subtraction performance, their math self-concept, and a reduction of their math anxiety. We also investigated how practice behavior (practiced tasks/weeks) affected these outcomes. We used a randomized pretest-posttest control group design with 376 fifth-grade students in Germany. Students in the experimental condition practiced with Math Garden for 20.7 weeks and had an increase in math self-concept. The more subtraction tasks the students practiced, the more they improved their subtraction performance. We found no effects on math anxiety. The results are discussed in terms of providing a starting point for new directions in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relation between the human body movements and cognition has been a research hotspot in physical education and health promotion in recent years. This study applied the embodied cognition theory to examine the effects of the Movement Integrity with Intelligent Play (MIIP) program on preschoolers' math performance. Objective: This study explores whether the Movement Integrity with Intelligent Play is connected with math performance, physical activity (PA) levels, and enjoyment of kindergarten students. Method: A quasi-experimental trial was delivered to evaluate the effects of the MIIP program that integrated bodily movements into math cognitive tasks related to pattern cognitive skills. A total of 54 (N = 54, 30 girls, Mage = 75.69 ± 3.36) children from two preschool classrooms served as participants and were assigned to one of the following two conditions: the integrated condition group (ICG, n = 28), and the conventional condition group (CCG, n = 26). During a 2-week intervention period, the ICG received a task-relevant PA (3×30 min/wk) in addition to their regular in-school math lessons (2×30 min/wk). Finally, math performance, PA levels, and enjoyment were assessed. Results: Following the intervention, significant differences (p < 0.05) in math performance, PA levels, and enjoyment were found in the ICG. The results demonstrated that preschool children in ICG outperformed children in the CCG. Children in the CCG showed no significant differences in math performance and PA levels. In addition, children in the ICG scored higher scores (M = 9.25 ± 2.71) on perceived enjoyment of the instructional method than children in the CCG (M = 7.07 ± 3.91). Conclusions: The integrated intervention has beneficial effects not only on math performance, PA levels but also on enjoyment. Transforming the focus of instruction to an integrated PA enhanced both math performance, PA levels, and increased enjoyment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of game-based therapy and game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques on the math performance and attitude of students with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD). A pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design was utilized to investigate the impact of independent variables on the dependent variable, with the use of a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of male students with MLD in third to sixth grades from a school in Khomeynishahr, Iran, in 2020. A purposive sampling method was used to select 36 students with MLD, who were randomly assigned to three groups, including an experimental group receiving game-based therapy, an experimental group receiving game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques, and a control group receiving no intervention. Shalev arithmetic disorder scale and Aiken's mathematics attitude scale was used to collect data. MANCOVA was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that game-based therapy and game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques significantly improved the math performance and attitude of the students (p < 0.05). Additionally, game-based therapy integrated with cognitive rehabilitation techniques was found to be more effective in improving math performance compared to game-based therapy alone (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed between the two interventions in improving attitude (p = 0.792). Therefore, it can be concluded that integrating game-based therapy with cognitive rehabilitation techniques can be more effective than other interventions in improving the math performance of students with MLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have highlighted the important influence of math ability in a numerate society. In this study, we investigated the influence of emotional (math anxiety and math enjoyment) and cognitive-motivational (math self-efficacy) factors on math performance. Participants were 145 fifth-grade students (84 boys and 61 girls). The results showed that math performance was negatively correlated with math anxiety and positively correlated with math enjoyment and math self-efficacy. Moreover, math anxiety was negatively associated with enjoyment in math and math self-efficacy, whereas math enjoyment was positively correlated with math self-efficacy. Hierarchical regression analysis showed a significant influence of math anxiety and math self-efficacy on math performance in fifth-grade students. Results are discussed in terms of a new perspective in emotional and motivational factors to train in school contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experience of math anxiety can have detrimental effects on students’ math performance, and researchers have in recent years tried to design interventions aiming at reducing math anxiety. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of math anxiety interventions in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. The meta-analysis comprised 50 studies and included 75 effect sizes. On average, the effect sizes were moderate (g = -0.467) for reducing math anxiety and improving math performance (g = 0.502). Interventions that focused on Cognitive support or regulating Emotions were effective both in reducing math anxiety and improving math performance. In addition, longer interventions and interventions targeting students older than 12 had the biggest decrease in math anxiety. Study quality was not related to intervention outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting a pretest–posttest experimental design with repeated measures, this study examined the effects of three types of game-based learning supports in the form of modeling on knowledge development that contributed to successful math problem solving and students' perceived game flow. Forty-one sixth-grade students participated in the study and played a 3D architecture game that aims to promote mathematical conceptual understanding and problem solving skills, and presented with different types of learning supports (i.e., conceptual knowledge only, procedural knowledge only, and the combination of the two). No significant effect of the types of supports was found on participants' perceived game flow. However, there was a significant impact of support type on participants' performance on two posttests. The results indicated that the learning support with procedural knowledge only, compared with the learning support with both conceptual and procedural knowledge as well as that with conceptual knowledge only, was significantly more effective in promoting students' knowledge acquisition related to mathematical problem solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Today, education in schools requires the use of methods that make learning enjoyable and effective for students. On the other hand, applying the suggestions and paying attention to the results of this research can change the attitudes of teachers, planners, and educational policy makers towards using more innovative approaches in education. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of learning mathematics using the VAK(Visual Auditory Kinesthetic) method on the attitudes and academic performance of primary school students in virtual education during the Corona period. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all fifth-grade female students in Arak in the academic year of 1401-1400, out of which 30 students were randomly selected and assigned to experimental (15) and control (15) groups. The experimental group learned 12 online sessions of mathematical concepts with the help of the VAK strategy in the Shad Network e-learning program. Both groups were evaluated at the beginning and end of the training period through Aiken's (1978) attitudes towards mathematics questionnaire and the researcher-made math test. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (analysis of covariance to test hypotheses) were used for data analysis. Findings: The results of the research showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the attitudes and academic performance (P<0.05) and the walk method led to an increase in the students' performance and attitudes towards mathematics. Conclusion: According to the findings of the research, it can be concluded that the walk strategy would increase the students' mathematical attitudes and performance due to using of visual, auditory, functional content and paying attention to learning styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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IntroductionActivating people’s sense of attachment security can buffer against psychological threats. Here we tested whether security priming can also buffer the adverse effects of stereotype threat among women.MethodThree studies (a pilot study (N = 79 women, 72 men), a laboratory study; N = 474 women, and an online study; N = 827 women) compared security priming to neutral and positive affect priming.ResultsThe pilot study revealed that women exposed to attachment security primes (e.g., the word “love”) had better math performance than women exposed to neutral primes (e.g., “boat”). Men’s math performance did not differ across priming conditions. Study 1 revealed that women showed better math performance in the attachment security priming condition than in the neutral or positive (e.g., “luck”) priming conditions. The effect was observed among women high on math identification. In Study 2, despite an effect of security priming on the manipulation check [higher State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM) security score], security did not buffer stereotype threat effects.DiscussionOur findings provide partial support to the idea that security priming (an interpersonal process) can buffer stereotype threat (an intergroup process). Theoretical and practical implications related to attachment security priming and stereotype threat are discussed.

It was investigated whether test anxiety (TA), mathematics anxiety (MA), and reading anxiety (RA) can be traced back to some type of general academic anxiety or whether these are separable. A total of 776 fifth graders (Mage = 10.9 years) completed questionnaires on TA, MA, and RA, as well as a mathematics test. Also, mathematics and reading performance results from the National Tracking System were requested. The sample was randomly split into two halves. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that a three-factor model (factors: TA, MA, RA) had superior model fit compared with a one-factor model (factor: “Academic anxiety”), in both halves. The resulting anxiety factors were related to math performance measures using structural equation models. A scarcity of data on reading performance prevented the analysis of links between anxiety and reading performance. Anxiety–math performance relations were stronger for MA than for TA and MA. We concluded that TA, MA, and RA are separable constructs.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate a relationship between the math anxiety (MA) of parents and teachers and the MA of children and the effects on the children's performance in arithmetic. 286 children aged between 7 and 10 years and their parents and mathematics teachers participated in the study. The instruments used were: Math Anxiety Questionnaire; School Performance Test - Arithmetic subtest; Mathematical Anxiety Scale; and Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices. The results showed that advanced age of the teacher was a predictor of high levels of MA, which influenced the children's performance in arithmetic. Low parental education was associated with high MA, however, there were no correlations between parents' and children's MA. A significant difference was found between the MA mean scores for girls and boys, with the girls presenting higher levels of MA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates how minority students demonstrate their math self-efficacy and performance, shaped by factors such as class preparation and math teacher support. Leveraging a comprehensive US national dataset, this study aims to provide broadly applicable insights and suggestions for students from diverse racial and linguistic backgrounds. The findings underscore the substantial influence of high school students’ class preparation on teacher support, math self-efficacy, and math performance. Notably, teacher support exhibits a positive impact solely on math self-efficacy but does not extend to their math performance. Upon examination of various demographic groups, this research identifies noteworthy disparities in the effects experienced by different racial and linguistic groups. This study’s results carry practical implications for educators and practitioners, shedding light on strategies to enhance various minority students’ math self-efficacy and outcomes.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that mathematical gender beliefs affect girls' mathematical performance and Leads to a drop in math scores and Their interest is in mathematical utility. However, there is a research gap in the study of the effect of an empowerment education package with self- determination approach on girl students math performance and gender beliefs. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the empowerment education package with self- determination approach on girl students math performance and gender beliefs (with low performance in this lesson. Method: The present study was applied in terms of purpose and in terms of data collection method, an experimental type was semi-experimental with design pre-test,post-test and follow with control group. The study population consisted of all girl students ninth grade in 6 district Tehran city during the years 2019-2020 with low performance in math. 32 people were targeted selected as a sample and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (16 people). The instruments of the present study were Leder and Forgasz (2002) mathematical Academic Belief Questionnaire, For the experimental group, training was held in 8 sessions of 60 minutes While the control group did not receive any intervention. Malekzadeh, Hejazi and Kiamanesh (1400) packages were used to teach empowerment with self-determination approach. Data analysis was performed by mixed analysis of variance. Results: showed that the use of empowerment training package with self-determination approach It has been effective in improving the performance and gender beliefs of math female students with low performance in this course (P

The focus of this research was to verify if there was a link among anxiety toward mathematics, learning engagement, and their perception of technology's usefulness in mathematics. This ex-post research looked into the relationship and predictive degree of students' math anxiety, learning engagement, and perceived usefulness of technology to their mathematics achievement. Students' math anxiety and perceived usefulness of technology were found to be high in the study, whereas student engagement was found to be low and level of students' performance in mathematics was also high. Both math anxiety and students' perceptions of the utility of technology in learning have a significant impact on students' mathematics performance, but not on their engagement. The findings showed the importance of a high level of anxiety in improving student math performance. Additionally, math anxiety and the perceived usefulness of technology were discovered to be predictors of student mathematics performance. The findings suggest that anxiety, engagement, and perceptions of technology's usefulness should all be considered when improving students' general mathematics performance.

The main aim of the study was to differentiate adolescent profiles by math performance at the beginning and end of the final two years of lower secondary school, and relevant baseline attributes (literacy skills, general cognitive ability, math anxiety), and to investigate how these profiles differed by gender and math avoidance. A total of 193 Finnish lower secondary students participated in this study. Four profiles were identified: (1) High academic, average anxiety; (2) low academic, average anxiety; (3) average academic, high anxiety; and (4) average academic, average anxiety. They differed in baseline attributes, math performance over two school years, math avoidance, and in gender ratio. High levels of math anxiety was related to unfavourable math trajectory and future math avoidance. This high anxiety was typical of a certain group of average performers but not of the lowest performers. The educational implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Math anxiety (MA; i.e., feelings of anxiety experienced when being confronted with mathematics) can have negative implications on the mental health and well-being of individuals and is moderately negatively correlated with math achievement. Nevertheless, ambiguity about some aspects related to MA may prevent a fathomed understanding of this systematically observed relationship. The current study set out to bring these aspects together in a comprehensive study. Our first focus of interest was the multi-component structure of MA, whereby we investigated the relationship between stateand trait-MA and math performance (MP) and whether this relation depends on the complexity of a math task. Second, the domain-specificity of MA was considered by examining the contribution of general anxiety (GA) and MA on MP and whether MA also influences the performance in non-math tasks. In this study, 181 secondary school students aged between 16 and 18 years old were randomly presented with four tasks (varying in topic [math/non-math] and complexity [easy/difficult]). The math task was a fraction comparison task and the non-math task was a color comparison task, in which specific indicators were manipulated to develop an easy and difficult version of the tasks. For the first research question, results showed a moderate correlation between state- and trait-MA, which is independent of the complexity of the math task. Regression analyses showed that while state-MA affects MP in the easy math task, it is trait-MA that affects MP in the difficult math task. For the second research question, a high correlation was observed between GA and MA, but regression analyses showed that GA is not related to MP and MA has no predictive value for performance in non-math tasks. Taken together, this study underscores the importance of distinguishing between state and trait-MA in further research and suggests that MA is domain-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While math performance does not seem to differ systematically between males and females, it is one of the subjects that is consistently perceived as "male" with girls regularly reporting lower levels of motivation and less positive attitudes than boys. This study aimed to uncover gender-specific relations between perceived self-determination, engagement, and performance in school mathematics that might help to better understand this discrepancy. In an online study, we hence assessed perceived competence and autonomy support, social relatedness, cognitive and behavioral engagement, math performance as well as sustained attention as a basic cognitive prerequisite in a sample of N = 221 Seventh-Grade students from southern Germany (Mage = 12.84 years, SDage = 0.55, Nfemales = 115). As expected, we found no gender differences in math performance. In multiple group path analyses, perceived autonomy support was the most consistent predictor of cognitive and behavioral engagement for both girls and boys. While it did not affect math performance directly, we found significant indirect effects via cognitive engagement for girls, and via behavioral engagement for boys, whereas competence support in the math classroom, which female students perceived as significantly lower than male students, negatively predicted only girls' performance, sustained attention explained a considerable part of boys' math performance. Girls seem to experience competence support less often than boys, and if they do, we assume it to be in response to low performance rather than to encourage high competence and nurture talent. Our results suggest promising avenues for future research and implications for math classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Math story problems are difficult for many solvers because comprehension of mathematical and linguistic content must occur simultaneously. Across two studies, we attempted to conceptually replicate and extend findings reported by Mattarella-Micke and Beilock (2010, https://doi.org/10.3758/PBR.17.1.106) and Jarosz and Jaeger (2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3471). Mattarella-Micke and Beilock found that multiplication word problems in which an irrelevant number was associated with the protagonist of the problem (i.e., foregrounded in the text) were solved less accurately than problems in other conditions. Jarosz and Jaeger used similar materials but tested the more general inconsistent-operations hypothesis that association with the protagonist would interfere with multiplication whereas dissociation would interfere with division. They found partial support: When division problems were primed with dissociative scenarios, solvers made more errors, but they failed to replicate the associative findings for multiplication. In the present research, we conducted two studies (Ns = 205 and 359), in which we similarly manipulated whether irrelevant content was associated with or dissociated from the story protagonist. In these studies, we did not find support for either the foregrounding or inconsistent-operations hypotheses. Exploratory error analyses suggested that solvers’ errors were most often the result of calculation difficulties or inappropriate operation choices and were unrelated to the presence of associative or dissociative story elements. Our careful implementation of this manipulation and much greater power to detect effects suggests that the association manipulation in irrelevant text does not influence adults’ performance on simple math story problems.

Math anxiety (MA; i.e., feelings of anxiety experienced when being confronted with mathematics) can have negative implications on the mental health and well-being of individuals and is moderately negatively correlated with math achievement. Nevertheless, ambiguity about some aspects related to MA may prevent a fathomed understanding of this systematically observed relationship. The current study set out to bring these aspects together in a comprehensive study. Our first focus of interest was the multi-component structure of MA, whereby we investigated the relationship between state- and trait-MA and math performance (MP) and whether this relation depends on the complexity of a math task. Second, the domain-specificity of MA was considered by examining the contribution of general anxiety (GA) and MA on MP and whether MA also influences the performance in non-math tasks. In this study, 181 secondary school students aged between 16 and 18 years old were randomly presented with four tasks (varying in topic [math/non-math] and complexity [easy/difficult]). The math task was a fraction comparison task and the non-math task was a color comparison task, in which specific indicators were manipulated to develop an easy and difficult version of the tasks. For the first research question, results showed a moderate correlation between state- and trait-MA, which is independent of the complexity of the math task. Regression analyses showed that while state-MA affects MP in the easy math task, it is trait-MA that affects MP in the difficult math task. For the second research question, a high correlation was observed between GA and MA, but regression analyses showed that GA is not related to MP and MA has no predictive value for performance in non-math tasks. Taken together, this study underscores the importance of distinguishing between state and trait-MA in further research and suggests that MA is domain-specific.

Previous studies mainly investigated working memory (WM) and math anxiety (MA) leaving almost unexplored other aspects of executive functions (EFs) in middle school period. Filling the gap in the literature, the aims of this study were: (1) to better examine the relationship between MA and math performance, (2) to better examine the relationship between EFs and math performance and (3) to investigate the interplay between EFs and MA on math performances. This study confirmed a significant and negative relationship between MA and math performance, indicates a significant and positive relationship between visuospatial WM and math performance, shifting and math performance and highlight a scarcely investigated indirect influence of MA through the measure of shifting on math performance. Our findings shed further light on the mediating role of EFs between MA and math performance and underline some future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]