STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE AND SELF-CONCEPT AS CORRELATES OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENT IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS IN ANKPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE

This study examined the students’ attitude and self-concept as correlates of their achievement in senior Secondary School mathematics in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State of Nigeria. The design was correlational research type. The target populations for the study were mathematics students of senior secondary II (SS II) classes in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. The sample for the study was three hundred and thirty two (332) mathematics students (male: 166 and female: 166) selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Five hypotheses were raised to guide the study. The instruments used to elicit the relevant data were: A twenty item instrument questionnaire called Mathematics Attitude Scale (MAS) and a twenty item instrument questionnaire called Academic Self-concept Questionnaire (ASCQ) designed by the researcher and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd terms examination scores of students in their senior secondary one mathematics were obtained as the students’ academic achievement. The reliability coefficients of 0.80 and 0.83 for MAS and ASCQ respectively were obtained. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that: there is significant relationship between students’ attitude and their academic achievement in mathematics, also the results revealed a significant relationship between students’ self-concept and their academic achievement in mathematics in senior secondary school mathematics. A significant difference between male and female students’ attitude, self-concept and their academic achievement in mathematics in secondary school mathematics was also found in favour of female. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that academic achievement is not a gender issue, both genders should be encouraged to excel in academic achievement since equal opportunities is provided for both genders. Students should be discouraged from forming stereotyped attitude and self-concept towards certain subjects, because of their sexes. This will boost positive competition between males and females, and enhance academic achievement and excellence among senior secondary school mathematics students.