ERIC Number: EJ966084
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Feb
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-6803
EISSN: N/A
Students' Perceptions of Single-Gender Science and Mathematics Classroom Experiences
Brown, Sherri L.; Ronau, Robert R.
School Science and Mathematics, v112 n2 p66-87 Feb 2012
While participating in single- and mixed-gender science and mathematics classes, ninth-grade urban high school students' (n = 118) academic self-concept, self-efficacy, and school climate perceptions were examined. Their perceptions were measured quantitatively from the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics (modified for Science) Attitude and the Patterns of Adaptive Learning scales. Five factors arose from each instrument: confidence/efficacy, utility, instruction, climate, and anxiety/performance avoidance. Comparative factor analysis of the science-modified Fennema-Sherman Scale showed similar constructs within the mathematics scale. Our findings are congruent with reports concerning single-gender classrooms that find few significant differences in students' attitudes toward science and mathematics, or classroom climate, with regard to single-gender classes. Lastly, our results supported three structural equation models for the hypothesized factors from each instrument.
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Structural Equation Models, Self Efficacy, Measures (Individuals), Factor Analysis, Classroom Environment, Single Sex Classes, Gender Differences, Mathematics Instruction, Science Instruction, Grade 9, Urban Schools, High School Students, Self Concept, Educational Environment, Anxiety, Teaching Methods, Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 9; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A