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Introduction Sample

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Cyrus Moreno
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10 views

Introduction Sample

Uploaded by

Cyrus Moreno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAPTER I

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Introduction

Mathematics, a subject that most learners consider

their nightmares, involves using various multi-step

operations to solve problems. Mathematics, or math, is the

study of numbers and how they relate to one another and

real-life situations. Math is equally essential as language.

In fact, math is commonly considered a form of language

(Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2024).

Every year, more than 100 million learners around the

world fail mathematics, accounting for over one-sixth of the

student population. This suggests that at least 620 million

people who started school ten years ago have left out due to

low math performance (Arhelo, 2022). According to the

research article of Aguilar (2021), one of the primary

reasons for learners' reluctance to study mathematics is

their lack of understanding and self-perception of low

content knowledge, which leads to a negative perception.

Learners reported that their negative perceptions were not

new, but had been with them since elementary school.

In the Philippines, the mathematics curriculum in the

K–12 Basic Education Curriculum has two objectives: critical

thinking and problem-solving. These two goals are


interconnected in the curriculum through Filipino learners'

skills, processes, values, and attitudes, all of which were

thoroughly taken into account during its inception (TIMSS,

2019). However, Filipino learners consistently performed

poorly in Mathematics. In fact, the Philippines ranked as

the lowest among 58 countries in Mathematics and Science

Global Assessment. In Mathematics, only 19% of Filipino

learners met the Low benchmark, indicating that they had

"some basic mathematical knowledge," whereas 81% did not

even reach this level (Magsambol, 2020).

Both external and internal factors can potentially

influence the performance of Filipino learners in

Mathematics. External factors might be composed of the

following: teacher competencies, school climate, peer

influence, and more. Internal factors, on the other hand,

involve the learner’s interest, attitude towards

Mathematics, and cognitive abilities, particularly critical

thinking disposition.

Critical thinking disposition, as defined by Fitriani

et al., (2018), is a mental trait or habit that shapes how

individuals approach problems and make judgments through

thoughtful analysis. It plays a fundamental role in various

fields, including mathematics education. In the context of

mathematics, critical thinking disposition influences how


students tackle mathematical problems, analyze data, and

make decisions. It enhances problem-solving abilities,

analytical thinking, and the evaluation of evidence.

According to a study by Minarti et al. (2020), the

mathematical disposition of junior high school students

positively impacts their mathematical critical thinking

skills. When students exhibit a positive attitude towards

mathematics learning, they can interpret and express ideas

freely, fostering creativity in problem-solving. This means

that critical thinking disposition promotes reflective

thinking in mathematics, enabling learners to apply

mathematical principles effectively in real-world scenarios.

Moreover, it encourages collaborative learning environments

where students exchange ideas and perspectives, enhancing

overall comprehension and problem-solving skills.

Out of all STEM subjects, precalculus, according to

Collegevine (2024), is one of the hardest STEM subjects.

There are so many things to grasp while continuing to study

advanced algebra. It is needed to master so many concepts at

once that learners find it overwhelming and difficult.

Precalculus is a mathematical course or group of courses,

which requires critical thinking disposition, that serves as

a prerequisite for calculus. However, limited research has

been conducted in the Philippines to explore the


relationship of critical thinking disposition and academic

performance in precalculus.

This study aims to fill that gap by assessing the

relationship between critical thinking disposition and

academic performance in precalculus of Bongabon Senior High

School STEM learners. Moreover, to determine if critical

thinking disposition indeed affects the academic performance

in precalculus.

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