Investigation of relationship between mathematics and other courses academic achievements of secondary school students

The study aims to investigate the relationship between achievements of secondary school students in mathematics and their academic achievement in other courses. In this descriptive study, the relational screening model was used. The study group consists of 7th and 8th grade students and teachers in the secondary schools in the Oltu District of the Province of Erzurum, Turkey, in the 2012-2013 academic year. Oltu Secondary School, Cumhuriyet Secondary School and Mehmet Akif Secondary School are the schools participating in the research. The total number of students in the specified classes is 142. In addition, a total of 15 teachers were selected from the branches of Turkish language, social studies, science and technology, foreign language (English) and religious culture and ethics, by selecting three teachers from each of these branches in these schools. The academic achievement scores of the students, observation forms and interview questionnaires developed by the researcher were used for data collection in the research. Mathematics, science and technology, social studies, foreign language (English), religious culture and ethics scores of the 7th and 8th graders in the selected classes of the schools were taken from the school administrations through the e-school information system. Observations were performed in classrooms by teachers. And, face-to-face interviews with 15 teachers were performed by taking a voice record. Among the qualitative data analysis techniques, the content analysis technique was used in the analysis of data obtained though observations and interviews. Frequency and percentage values were used to interpret observation results, and frequency, percentage and mean values were used to interpret the interview results. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis was performed to compare students' grades. As a result of the study, a positive and significant correlation was found between the students' mathematics achievement scores and academic achievement scores in other courses. It was determined that students who succeeded in mathematics course have used mathematical skills in other courses successfully. And, as a result of the interviews, it was concluded that teachers believe that there is a positive relationship between mathematics academic achievement scores and achievement scores in other courses. KeyWords: Mathematics, Achievement, Other courses, Relationship