Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

The research team at the LSU Social Research and Evaluation Center of Excellence in the LSU College of Human Sciences and Education conducted six focus groups with educators in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) in the summer of 2024. During the focus group sessions, we shared with participants some of our findings from the Math Mind Measure (MMM) survey administered to 5th to 8th grade EBRPSS students in the 2023-2024 school year. The survey asked about student motivations affecting their ideas about math. We found that some of the 10 different types of motivation measured by the MMM were significantly linked to student performance in their classes. For the focus groups, we investigated two types of motivation – inner drive and social value – and asked educators how they thought we could (1) increase students’ internal determination to complete math goals and why it was important for them personally (inner drive) and (2) increase students’ perceptions that their peers and family felt that math was important (social value). The report showcases the educators’ recommendations for impacting students’ inner drive and social value around math. This report outlines the process of collecting their feedback. We also provide specific examples of educator suggestions. In general, their comments went beyond just highlighting potential ways to enhance inner drive and social value. The main findings are summarized, including suggestions to increase other types of motivation. Our general discussion then synthesizes these recommendations into next steps.

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