Latent Class Model for the External Factors Affecting the Mathematics Performance

Abstract

Among the different factors that affect the students’ academic performance in mathematics, three known external factors – learning environment, peers, and parents are used in this study. The aim is to use these factors in determining latent class models that affect the students’ academic performance in mathematics. A self-made checklist was conducted to the Grade 7 students of both campuses of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School. Optimal fitting model was used to determine the conditional and class probabilities thru AIC and BIC value for the preferred class model number. ANOVA was further applied to investigate the mean difference. The latent classes formed were dual factors, peers & parents, multi-factor, and peers which shown significant difference in the students’ mathematics performance between the latent classes formed. Possible remediation programs should be given to address the issue on these factors that mostly affect the students’ academic performance in mathematics.