Strategies to Alleviate Test and Mathematics Anxiety

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of two anxiety-reducing techniques in a seventh grade Tier 2 (average) mathematics classroom. Based on the work of Ford, Ford, Boxer, and Armstrong (2012), one of the techniques will be the use of humor. The other technique is the use of visualization (see Shobe, Brewin, & Carmack, 2005). Two classes will be used in the study, and the study will be broken into two rounds. In the first round, Class A will be introduced to the technique of humor, and Class B will be a control group. In the second round, Class B will be introduced to the technique of visualization and Class A will be the control group. Effectiveness of the techniques will be evaluated through the scores of the students\u27 unit assessments. Students will take Likert scale evaluations throughout the study to provide qualitative data. Ultimately, this study seeks to determine whether either of the anxiety-reducing strategies actually lowered anxiety, was effective, or affected students\u27 academic performance