Factor Analysis for Modeling Low Achievement of Mathematics for Second year secondary school - Khartoum State 2009-2010

Abstract

Low level of academic achievement in mathematics is the biggest problems faced the Ministry of Education in Sudan, The study carried out in Khartoum state. This area was selected because of its importance in Sudan; Khartoum has different type of schools, public (general and Model) and private schools. Population of this study were 48313 students from second year secondary school in Khartoum state according to the records of ministry of education in Sudan(2009), students in night school not included. The calculated sample size is about 1450 students; 150 teachers choose from 50 (Model, General and Private) schools. Factor analysis used to analyze data. The results show that eleven factors were extracted form students data, which explained 57.5% of the total variance; nine factors extracted from teachers data which explained 67.8% of the total variance explained. The first and second factors of model1 are "school environment" which consist of seven variables; Mathematics achievement which consist of four variables. The first and second factors of model2 are "school environment" which consist of five variables; teacher responsibilities which consist of seven variables. The researcher noted agreement data of students and teachers in determining the most important factor "is the factor of the school environment.