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- Contribution to the validation of the expectancy-value scale for primary school studentsPublication . Peixoto, Francisco; Radišić, Jelena; Kesegi-Krstin, Ksenija; Hansen, Brian Benjamin; Laine, Anu; Baucal, Aleksandar; Sõrmus, Maarja; Mata, LourdesGrounded in ‘expectancy-value’ theory, this paper reports on the psychometric properties of an instrument intended to measure students’ motivation in mathematics. The participants were 2045 third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students from Estonia, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Serbia and Sweden. The Expectancy-Value Scale (EVS) was found to be suitable for early grades of primary education in measuring competence self-perceptions and subjective task values relative to the mathematics field. The results indicate a good model fit aligned with the expectancy-value theory. The EVS dimensions showed good reliability, and scalar invariance was established. However, findings also indicated high correlations between some of the EVS dimensions, which is well documented for students at this age. The findings are discussed relative to the ‘expectancy-value’ theory framework and students’
- Preparing pre-service teachers for family engagement: Insights from the initial teacher education syllabusPublication . Cabral, Sónia; Mata, Lourdes; Peixoto, FranciscoFamily involvement and participation in education (FIPE) profoundly impacts the quality of students’ academic and social development. Initial teacher education contribution in fostering attitudes, skills, and strategies for effective FIPE is therefore unquestionable. We aimed to find out to what extent Portuguese pre-service teachers are prepared to engage families. A document analysis was conducted to establish explicit information regarding FIPE within initial teacher education syllabi. Out of 621 syllabi across 36 master’s courses from 25 institutions, only 98 included some information on FIPE. A mere 12 syllabi, from seven institutions, exclusively addressed family–school relationships. Our study covered over 87% of the master’s courses and syllabi, exposing inconsistencies in their educational aims, content, and recommended literature. These findings highlight discrepancies within the initial teacher education syllabi and underscore the need for the enhanced training of pre-service teachers in FIPE. It is crucial to promote more in-depth and explicit syllabi to promote effective family engagement and enrich initial teacher education programs.
- ‘Am I to blame because my child is not motivated to do math? Relationships between parents’ attitudes, beliefs and practices towards mathematics and students’ mathematics motivation and achievementPublication . Peixoto, Francisco; Mata, Lourdes; Campos, Mafalda; Caetano, Teresa; Radišić, Jelena; Niemivirta, Markku JuhaniResearch on parental involvement is broad and specifies diverse kinds of parental practices that have specific associations with children’s learning outcomes. However, the involvement of parents in education, the dynamics of parent–child interactions and the actions and practices they employ and their impact on student’s motivation and achievement are intricate processes characterised by numerous intervening variables that require further clarification. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between parental beliefs and involvement and their children’s motivation and mathematics achievement. Data were collected from 8071 third- and fourth-graders from six European countries and their parents. Students fulfilled the Expectancy-Value Scale, self-reporting on motivational aspects towards mathematics and performed two math tests to assess their performance. Parents also reported on their math attitudes, mindsets and involvement practices with their children. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modelling. Several theoretically meaningful associations were found in the tested model, showing the detrimental impacts of a fixed mindset on parents’ practices. Furthermore, we found significant relationships between parents’ attitudes towards mathematics, their practices and students’ perceptions of math-related values and cost. Finally, associations between parental practices, the child’s outcomes and the association between children’s mathematics motivation and achievement were also observed. Some implications are presented, particularly concerning interventions with parents.
- Emotional profiles regarding maths among primary school children – A two-year longitudinal study.Publication . Mata, Lourdes; Monteiro, Vera; Peixoto, Francisco; Santos, Natalie Nóbrega; Sanches, Cristina; Gomes, Marta. . . Learning maths is challenging for many primary school students, and teachers must understand students’ learning and emotional processes specific to learning maths. The current research, grounded in control-value theory, focused on achievement emotions regarding maths. Primary school students (N = 71) were studied with the primary objective of examining the longitudinal trajectories of achievement emotions of third graders over two years. The Portuguese Achievement Emotions Questionnaire for Elementary Students was administered biannually to assess enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom regarding maths. The results indicate that enjoyment decreased and boredom increased over time, revealing three emotional profiles: positive, negative and moderate. The positive profile showed the highest scores in maths achievement. Profile membership was moderately stable and became increasingly stable and structured. In examining the complexity of students’ emotional profiles and processes, the importance of understanding them to enhance educational support, development, and learning was highlighted. .