The influence of teachers’ statistics knowledge on the academic performance of high school students in math lessons

Abstract

Statistics and probability is one branch of mathematics with numerous conceivable outcomes and problem-solving circumstances that require a basic problem-solving aptitude. The purpose of this study is to determine the need for high school mathematics teachers to teach statistics and probability, which would serve as a basis for improving the level of teaching statistics and mathematics in general. A descriptive research method was applied in this study, and a two-part survey was employed as the primary method of data collection. A total of 34 secondary school mathematics teachers from 23 private and public secondary schools in Kazakhstan acted as respondents to answer a specially designed questionnaire. The mean value, percentage of frequency, standard deviations, correlation, regression, percentage of correct answers and average percentage scores were used. Based on the responses, the respondents have a low level of knowledge regarding the content of statistics, but their students have satisfactory results in statistics and mathematics. The results of this study will give scientists an idea of how to improve the level of training of mathematics teachers. In addition, since higher educational institutions are engaged in the training of mathematics teachers, they need to think about the methodology of teaching statistics, as well as teacher training institutes, to adapt courses and seminars for teachers.