Document Type
Student Conference
Semester of Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
In a 3-year collaboration with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS), we conducted semi-annual surveys of student motivation to see if we could identify key psychological factors underlying math performance. We developed the Math Mind Measures (MMM) to assess 10 distinct motivational factors. Analyses revealed that math anxiety and math self-efficacy were the strongest predictors of end-of-year standardized test scores. We shared our findings with students and teachers, via focus groups, to shape a Teacher Action Checklist. This checklist aims to inform practice by enhancing motivation and decreasing demotivation. EBRPSS also implemented professional learning trainings to capitalize on our results. The school superintendent credited this endeavor as part of why Louisianan youth reached “most improved” status in the nation for math performance in 2025. More work remains to be done. The application of MMM in classrooms and further avenues of research regarding student improvement in math will also be discussed.
Recommended Citation
Pasipanki, B., Ned, A., & Sinclair, C. (2026). Action Research in Action: How Lab Findings Informed Change in Baton Rouge’s Math Classrooms. Retrieved from https://repository.lsu.edu/discover_dur/17
Awardee Name
Brookelyn Pasipanki
Academic Major
Psychology
Project Mentor
Colleen Sinclair