Variables influencing algebra performance: Understanding rational numbers is essential

Publication date: August 2019Source: Learning and Individual Differences, Volume 74Author(s): Sarah R. Powell, Jennifer K. Gilbert, Lynn S. FuchsAbstractProficiency with algebra is difficult for students, even students at the college level. We administered an assessment of algebra to 362 college students. Students also completed measures of rational numbers, mathematics fact fluency, mathematics anxiety, reading fluency, and spelling accuracy. A dominance analysis revealed that, of the 5 variables, rational numbers performance dominated all other variables, accounting for over 33% of the variance in algebra performance. As colleges look to restructure developmental mathematics sequences and as elementary and secondary schools seek to better prepare students for meeting college and career benchmarks of algebraic proficiency, results indicate instruction related to rational numbers is essential across grade levels for students to develop a deep understanding of algebra.
Source: Learning and Individual Differences - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research