Self-regulated Learning, Self-efficacy and Reading Comprehension as Predictors on Arithmetic Performance of Mbo Students

Abstract

Arithmetic skills are important for students’ future careers and daily lives, but the arithmetic skills of mbo students are not at the required level and are improving too slowly. The Dutch government aims to include an arithmetic examination for mbo students starting in the 2019-2020 school year, and passing this examination will be mandatory to acquire a diploma. Therefore, the arithmetic problems within the mbo student population must be examined. There are several factors that influence arithmetic performance. The literature states that self-regulated learning (SRL), self-efficacy, and reading comprehension (RC) influence performance in arithmetic; thus, the current study uses multiple regression analysis to investigate the extent to which SRL, self-efficacy, and RC predict the arithmetic performance of students. The results demonstrate that SRL, self-efficacy and RC significantly predict and explain 23.1% of mbo student’s arithmetic performance. Future research should focus on improving SLR, self-efficacy and RC related to arithmetic performance of mbo students. In order to contribute to their improved arithmetic performance and thus also to their daily lives, future careers and education.