Disaffection with School Mathematics

‘Young peoples’ disaffection with mathematics isa problem since it is a key factor in disengagement, lack of participation,progression and attainment. Large numbers of young people are becomingeffectively ‘lost’ to mathematics with the result that too many young peopleare leaving education without the competence in mathematics that they requirefor successful citizenship. 

Disaffection with School Mathematics reports onan investigation into disaffection with school mathematics undertaken by theauthor. Too little is known about both the nature and the causes ofdisaffection, and in this light the research looks beyond the quantitativestudy of attitude to investigate the nature of the subjective experience oflearning, or not learning, mathematics. Disaffection with school mathematics ischaracterized as a motivational and emotional phenomenon, and Reversal Theoryis introduced as a robust theory which is used as an interpretative frameworkto account for students’ affective experience of school mathematics, and toinform the design of a range of novel methods. Overall the book develops andpresents a deep description of the landscape of disaffection as experienced by,and in the voice of, students. Some empirical and theoretical implications ofthe study are discussed.