An investigation on regional achievement gaps in mathematics in Turkey: A multilevel analysis of Turkey 2015 pisa data


Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2020

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: SEVİL ESMA TUNÇ

Danışman: Duygun Göktürk Ağın

Özet:

This study aims to map the regional achievement gaps in mathematics in Turkey and to find the variables that are helpful to close the achievement gaps in mathematics for each Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) Level-1 regions of Turkey by utilizing 2015 PISA Data. The sample consisted of 187 schools selected by cluster sampling method from 12 NUTS Level 1 regions and 5895 students which are selected by random sampling from the selected schools. Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) analysis was conducted using HLM7 software due to the nested nature of the data. HLM results revealed that there exists a statistically significant difference between math achievement of the students in Aegean and Central East Anatolia regions and, between Aegean and Southeast Anatolia regions. Furthermore, there is a marginally significant difference between Aegean and East Black Sea regions. When family-related factors are controlled, there is a statistically significant difference only between Aegean and East Black Sea regions. When school-related factors are controlled, there is a statistically significant difference between Aegean and Central East Anatolia regions and between Aegean and Southeast Anatolia regions. Lastly, when family-related and school-related factors are controlled together, there is no statistically significant difference between Aegean region and any other region in math performance. Overall, the results suggested that different regions respond uniquely to different sets of variables. However, when similar opportunities are offered in terms of both school and family factors, the achievement gaps in math among different regions of the Turkey can be closed.