Achievement Goals and Performance in English and Mathematics of Senior Secondary Schools Students in Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the relationships between achievement goals and measures of academic performance in English and Mathematics of senior secondary school students in Borno State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the relationships between achievement goals and performances in English and Mathematics, and the contribution of each goal type to the variance of academic performance in English and Mathematics. Eight hundred and twenty-seven (827) students randomly selected from 18 senior boarding secondary schools in Borno State responded to “A hierarchical Model of Approach and Avoidance Achievement Motivation” scale as measure of achievement goals and English and Mathematics tests as measured of academic performance. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyse the data. The results reveal significant relationships: among the goals, between learning and performance-avoidance goals with English and overall academic performance; but non with mathematics. Learning goals and performance-approach goals account for the variance in academic performance differently.

Key words: Achievement goals, English, Mathematics, Secondary Schools, Students, Nigeria