Mathematics college readiness of grade 12 students Basis for instructional enhancement

Mathematics requires critical thinking and problem solving skills which are indispensable in gauging college readiness of entering tertiary students. This quantitative research determined the Mathematics College Readiness (MCR) of 2186 grade 12 students across all career tracks and learning strands from nine (9) secondary schools in Cagayan province, Philippines. MCR was measured through a validated criterion-referenced test which was based on the College Readiness Standards (CRS) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Reasons for students‟ non-readiness as perceived by 73 mathematics teachers were also investigated using a survey questionnaire and interview. Frequency count, percentage distribution, mean, independent sample t-test, Analysis of Variance, and thematic analysis were utilized to interpret the gathered data. Findings revealed that majority of the students are not ready to take college-level mathematics courses. Students who have more mathematics exposures in high school are significantly more ready for college mathematics compared to those who just comply with the minimum mathematics subject requirements. The teachers‟ perceived reasons of students‟ non-readiness for college mathematics are students‟ negative attitude, anxiety, and weak foundation in basic mathematics, heavy teaching workloads and limited professional growth of teachers, inadequate and poor quality of learning materials and facilities, disruptions of classes, lack of parents‟ involvement in the education of their children, disadvantages of spiral progression and the “No Child Left Behind Act”, and numerous competencies in the mathematics curriculum. Instructional enhancement along content, innovative teaching strategies, authentic assessment and interactive instructional materials are necessary to address students‟ non-readiness of college mathematics.

Keywords –College readiness standards, grade 12 students, instructional enhancement, mathematics college readiness, reasons for students‟ non-readiness of college math