A Longitudinal Examination of the Effects of Performance Goal Practices on Female Students' Self Efficacy and Valuing of Mathematics

Abstract

Female students are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors and careers despite indicators of comparable performance. The purpose of the present study is to examine the implications of teacher-reported performance goal practices on students’ mathematics self-efficacy, valuing of mathematics, and mathematics achievement. Previous research has shown that performance goal practices may affect these student variables; however, this has not been explored extensively with regard to gender differences or at the elementary-school level.

Data were collected from a sample of 692 students located in three school districts in southeastern Texas. Students were eligible for participation if they scored below the median score on a district-administered early literacy assessment. Students’ mathematics self-efficacy and valuing of mathematics were assessed through self-report questionnaires. Mathematics achievement was assessed through an individually-administered achievement test. Classroom performance goal practices were assessed through a teacher self-report. Analyses were conducted using hierarchical linear modeling to account for classroom-level effects on student-level outcomes.

Results indicated that gender differences in students’ mathematics self-efficacy emerged at grade 4 and were also evident at grade 5, with male students reporting significantly higher mathematics self-efficacy at grades 4 and 5. There were no statistically significant gender differences in students’ valuing of mathematics across grades 3-5. Results indicated that performance goal practices did not exert any statistically significant effects on student-level outcomes. At the same time, consistent with prior research, students’ mathematics self-efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of mathematics achievement, when controlling for achievement during the prior school year. Implications and future research directions are discussed.