INFLUENCE OF FAMILY VARIABLES ON IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL IN PORT HARCOURT LGA OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of family variables on in-school adolescents' academic achievement
in mathematics in secondary schools in Port Harcourt LGA of Rivers State. Three research questions
were answered while three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted an
ex-post facto research design. The population of the study was 6,500 SS II students from 15 secondary
schools in Port Harcourt LGA of Rivers State. The sample size of the study was 200 SS II students
drawn using simple random sampling technique. A self-designed instrument titled Students Mathematics
Test (SMT) was used for data collection. The SMT was content validated through table of specification
as well as the help of classroom Mathematics teacher. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer
the research questions while t-test and ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of
significance. The study revealed that parental educational status is not a significant determinant of
students’ academic achievement in mathematics while their occupational level and marital status are
significant determinants of in-school adolescents' academic achievement in mathematics in secondary
school in Port Harcourt LGA of Rivers State. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended
among other that parents with lower educational status should step up on their level of engagement and
support towards in-school adolescents’ achievement in Mathematics in secondary schools in Port
Harcourt LGA.