Rasch hierarchical analysis on challenges in acquisition of mathematics literacy: A survey on Malaysian school students

Abstract

Transformation in Malaysian education system has brings about different reactions among teachers, students, parents and also stakeholders. Changes in the aims of Mathematics education provide various challenges to the students' learning as well as to the teachers' teaching practice. This study is therefore aims to evaluate the students' challenges in mastering Mathematics subject. This survey was conducted to 132 secondary school students in Malaysia. Self-developed questionnaire which consist of 42 items and comprises of five main sources of challenges (self, teachers, parents, friends, nature of Mathematics factor) was used as the instruments of this study. Hierarchical analysis which applied Rasch Measurement Model was applied to determine the order of difficulties experienced by students in learning Mathematics. Findings showed that within the five sources of challenges in learning Mathematics, nature of Mathematics rank first while parents factor rank last. Findings of this study regarding the various sources of challenges in Mathematics learning could serve as guidelines to the teachers and school administrators in dealing students' difficulties in learning Mathematics.