Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills in Mathematics of Grade-7 Public Secondary Students

The study aimed to assess the academic performance, critical thinking skills, and problem solving skills in mathematics of Grade-7 students in the five central public secondary schools of Area 2, Division of Batangas, Philippines. This study utilized descriptive method of research. Three hundred forty one (341) students of the public secondary schools out of the total of 2,324 Grade-7 students were selected through systematic random sampling as the subjects of the study. It was found out that the level of performance in Mathematics of the Grade-7 students is proficient. The level of critical thinking skills of students from the different schools is above average as well as their level of problem solving skills. The mathematics performance of the students is positively correlated to their level of critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. Students considered the following learning competencies in the different content areas of Grade-7 Mathematics as difficult to master: solving problems involving sets, describing the development of measurement from the primitive to the present international system of units, finding a solution of an equation or inequality involving one variable, using compass and straightedge to bisect line segments and angles, and analyzing, interpreting accurately and drawing conclusions from graphic and tabular presentations of statistical data. Keywordsacademic performance, critical thinking skills, Grade-7 Mathematics, learning competencies, problem solving skills INTRODUCTION The enhancement of the quality of basic education in the Philippines is urgent and critical. The implemented K-12 model in the country is an educational system for elementary and secondary education patterned after the United States, Canada, and some parts of Australia. The Department of Education (DepEd) reasons out that it is high time to adopt a K-12 system, attributing the low achievement scores and poor quality of basic education to the present school setup. The DepEd appears determined to enact the program with its proposed budget catering mostly to prepare the grounds for its eventual implementation. In the implementation of K-12 Program, the twin goals of Mathematics are critical thinking and problem solving[1]. This serves as the focal point in learning mathematics. In Mathematics, critical thinking usually comes when students ask why, rather than taking what they learn at face value. Critical thinking leads to skills that can be learned, mastered and used. It is the rational examination of ideas, inferences, assumptions, principles, arguments, conclusions, issues, statements, beliefs and actions. In the same manner, the definition of problem solving according to Polya is finding a way around a difficulty, around an obstacle, and finding a solution to a problem that is unknown. These two goals are to be achieved with an organized and rigorous curriculum content, a well-defined set of high-level skills and processes, desirable values and attitudes, and appropriate tools, recognizing as well the different contexts of Filipino learners [1]. The definitions of critical thinking that have emerged from the cognitive psychological approach include the following: it can be regarded as the mental processes, strategies, and representations people use to solve problems, make decisions, and learn new concepts[2]. In addition, it can be considered as the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome[3]. Facione identified six cognitive skills as central to the concept of critical thinking[4]. These skills include interpretation, analysis, explanation, Alcantara & Bacsa, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills in Mathematics. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr. com Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 5, No. 4, November 2017 Part II evaluation, self-regulation and inference. Critical thinking skills therefore, are skills that enable one to analyse and synthesize information to solve problems in broad range of areas. The study of Irfaner[5] concluded that the lack of critical thinking skills utilized within the classroom greatly diminishes the students’ chance for success. The study identified the gaps in the students’ understanding of information, quantified their ability to compose their knowledge of the material, and for students to understand the material enough to create an insightful question showcasing their comprehension of the material. The study also determined if the teacher changed the lessons or approaches based upon the students’ need for extra discussions or questions. Marcut[6] supported that students who are trained in critical thinking skills significantly improved positively in their performance than those who were not trained. More so, Fisher [7] highlighted that the critical thinking skills training had helped in stimulating students’ intellectual capability and make them engaged more in classroom activity. In addition, Bassey, Joshua and Asim [8] conducted a study on gender and Mathematics achievement in secondary schools in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. The study revealed that male and female students significantly differ on their Mathematics achievement. The study of Chukwuyenum [9] revealed that the Mathematics performance test scores among the experimental groups were significantly different. The study also revealed no significant gender difference in Mathematics performance test. Critical thinking skills were also considered as effective means of enhancing students’ understanding of concepts in Mathematics. With the results of these previous studies regarding mathematics performance, problem solving ability, and critical thinking skills, and the concerned of the quality of mathematics instruction in the secondary schools, the researchers find it necessary to conduct the present study. It was observed that most of the students nowadays were constantly dependent on how the internet answers their questions, not knowing that their critical thinking and problem solving skills have been affected. The researchers deemed it necessary to assess the critical thinking and problem solving skills among Grade-7 students. The findings of this study will widen teacher’s knowledge about students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills. It can help find ways to change and develop learning strategies of students towards improved academic performance in Mathematics. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The study aimed to assess the academic performance, critical thinking and problem solving skills in Mathematics among Grade-7 public secondary students.Specifically, the study sought to determine the level of performance of the students in Grade-7 Mathematics, ascertain the level of critical thinking and problem solving skills of the students, find out the significant relationships between mathematics performance and the levels of critical thinking and problem solving skills, determine the extent of difficulty the students encountered in mastering the content areas in Grade-7 mathematics, and identify which learning competencies in the content areas in Grade-7 mathematics are considered difficult. MATERIALS AND METHODS Research Design This is a descriptive-correlational study seeking to determine the public secondary students’ performance in mathematics and their levels of critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. Subjects of the Study This study involved Grade-7 students of the central public secondary schools in Area 2, Division of Batangas, Philippines. From a total of 2, 324 students, 341 students are considered as the subjects of the study which were obtained by systematic random sampling using Slovin’s Formula with marginal error of 0.05. Table 1 shows the distribution of the students used as subjects of the study. Table 1. Distribution of the Students Name of Schools Population Sample Bauan Technical High School 910 134 San Pascual National High