A STUDY OF MATHEMATICAL ACHIEVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Mathematical Achievement is the competency shown by the student in the subject mathematics. Its measure is the score on an achievement test in mathematics. The present study is based on the mathematical achievement of X class students of Secondary School of BageshwarDistrict. A sample comprised of 200 students studying in class X was selected randomly from Secondary schools of Bageshwar district. The research tool developed and standardized by Dr. Ali Imam and Dr, TahiraKhatoon was administered to the students. A descriptive research method was used in the present research. Statistical techniquesMean, S.D. and t-test were used to analyze the data. The result of the study shows that there is a significant difference between the mathematical achievements of class X students of secondary schools on the basis of their sexand social belongingness howeverit is interesting to know that rural male and urban male students are almost similar in there mathematical achievement scores.

Mathematical Achievement is the competency shown by the student in the subject mathematics. Its measure is the score on an achievement test in mathematics. The present study is based on the mathematical achievement of X class students of Secondary School in Bageshwar District. A sample comprised of 200 students studying in class X was selected randomly from Secondary schools of Bageshwar district. The research tool developed and standardized by Dr. Ali Imam and Dr, Tahira Khatoon was administered to the students. A descriptive research method was used in the present research. Statistical techniques Mean, S.D., and t-test were used to analyze the data. The result of the study shows that there is a significant difference between the mathematical achievements of class X students of secondary schools on the basis of their sex and social belongingness, however, it is interesting to know that rural male and urban male students are almost similar in their mathematical achievement scores.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Introduction:-
In the 21st century, mathematics has become the backbone for the prosperity in each and every field of life. Mathematics is well known as a father of all sciences. It is impossible to think about any scientific study without mathematics. Mathematics is the knowledge of 3R"s i.e. reading, writing and arithmetic. Each student in his day to day life has to achieve certain vital goals and objectives. Mathematics works as a base-camp to achieve these objectives.
Every stage of education has its own importance. Secondary education lays the basic foundation for all types of higher education. Successful achievement in mathematics at Secondary stage, especially X grade is prerequisite for better academic achievement in higher stage.
Mathematics achievement is an essential part of the academic achievement in the modern era. It is the key to success in many professions.

Operational Definition of Mathematics achievement:-Mangal (2008):-
Defined that, "An achievement test is essentially a tool or device of measurement that helps in ascertaining the quantity and quality of learning attained in a subject of study or group of subject after a period of instruction by measuring the present ability of the individual concerned." Corresponding Author:-BhairabDattPandey. Address:-Research Scholar, Kumaun University, S.S.J. Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand.
1952 Mathematical achievement is the competency shown by the student in mathematics. It is the result of acquired knowledge or information, understanding, skills and techniques developed in the subject of mathematics in a particular stage. Its measure is the score on the achievement test in mathematics.

Statement of the Problem:-"A study of mathematical achievement of Secondary School Students of Bageshwar District."
Objective of the study:-To study the mathematical achievement of class X students of Secondary Schools on the basis of their sex and social belongingness.
Research hypotheses:-1. There is no significance difference in mathematical achievement of class X students on the basis of sex. 2. There is no significance difference in mathematical achievement of class X students on the basis of their social belongingness. 3. There is no significance difference in mathematical achievement of class X male students on the basis of social belongingness. 4. There is no significance difference in mathematical achievement of class X female students on the basis of their social-belongingness.

Method:-
The descriptive or survey research method was used for present research work.
Population of the study:-All the students studying in class X of government and private Secondary schools of Bageshwar District.

Sample and sampling method:-
For the present study a representative sample of 243 students of class X from government and private Secondary Schools in Bageshwar district was selected randomly.

Research tool:-
The research tool developed and standardized by Dr. Ali Imam and Dr. Tahira Khatoon was administered to the students in the present study.

Statistical methods:-
In order to attain the objectives of the study, the investigators used Mean, S.D., and t-test" technique.  Table 1 reveal that there exists statistically significant difference between mathematical achievement mean scores of male and female students class X from government and private Secondary Schools of Bageshwar district. It means that male students have better achievement in mathematics than female students.  Table 2 reveals that there exists a statistically significant difference (t=2.22) between rural and urban students mathematical achievement mean scores of class X from government and private Secondary Schools of Bageshwar district. It means that urban students have more or less similar achievement in mathematics than rural students. However the mathematical achievement mean scores of urban students (M=39.05) were founded higher than rural students (M=36.86).  Table 2.1 reveals that there exist no significant difference between the mathematical achievement mean scores of rural male and urban male (t-=1.21). It means that rural male and urban male students class X from government and private Secondary Schools in Bageshwar district have more or less similar in their mathematics achievement. However the mathematical achievement mean scores of urban male students (M=41.15) were founded higher than rural male students (M=38.24). Data presented in the Table 2.2 reveals that there exists statistically significant difference (t=2.22) between the mathematical achievement mean scores of rural female and urban female students of class X from government and private Secondary Schools in Bageshwar district. It means that urban female students have better achievement in mathematics than rural female students.

Discussion:-
As a conclusion to this research, it can be said that since the female students, rural students and rural female students of class X have low mathematical achievement than their counterparts. It shows that there are still possible rooms for improvement in achievement level of female students by changing the attitude of parents and teachers towards female student"s mathematical learning. This can be done by abolishing gender discrimination at school and home environment and to aware both teachers and parents about their female student"s performance in the subject of mathematics. It is recommended that rural parents should provide more or equal learning opportunities to their girl students as they were providing to their boys so that they can learn mathematics at their fullest capacities. However, it is interesting to know that social belongingness of urban male and rural male students is almost similar in their mathematical achievement scores in Bageshwar District. However, this study cannot be conclusive as to the size of the sample is small.

Findings and Conclusions:-
The present study shows that: There exists a significant difference at 0.01 levels of significance between mathematical achievement of male and female students of class X from government and private Secondary Schools in Bageshwar district. Male students of class X standard were found better in their mathematics achievement than female students of X class. This finding is similar to the finding of Pattison  that male students are significantly better in their mathematical achievement than female students. But it contradicts the finding of Roach (1979) that girls scored significantly higher than boys on a mathematics achievement test. However, Mehra (2004) found no sex wise difference in the achievement of students in mathematics and Sood (1999) found that girls achieved somewhat higher than boys, still no significant (insignificant) differences exist in their mathematical achievement.
There exists a significant difference at 0.05 levels of significance between mathematical achievement of rural and urban students of class X standard. This finding is in agreement with the finding of.Mehra (2004), Baskaran (1991), Prakash (2000) and Dr. Sunil Sumar Singh, Shaheen Malik, Dr.A.K.Singh (2003) who found that urban students were better in their mathematical achievement in compared to the rural students. However, this finding is