| Academic motivation declines during middle- and high-school years and its diminishing effects are especially evident in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. The goal of this study was to examine a possible cause-effect relationship between a utility-value intervention and mathematics motivation of middle-school Hispanic students. Through experimental manipulation, the researcher assisted parents in conveying the importance of mathematics to their adolescents to influence students' mathematics motivation. The four-month long intervention consisted of a brochure that was mailed to parents, a website, and biweekly Facebook posts, all emphasizing the usefulness and importance of mathematics courses. Data were collected using pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. Split-plot ANOVA model was used to test for differences between the two treatment groups. The researcher hypothesized that this relatively simple intervention would result in students' increased mathematics motivation and performance. |
