Factors related to geometry achievement of urban high school female students

The purpose of this study was to examine the roles of selected factors related to female high school students\u27 geometry achievement. Factors considered were: spatial ability, spatial toy usage, ethnicity, and parental perceptions.The research and literature review indicates that achievement in geometry is related to spatial ability. Researchers recommend that the role of spatial toys in the development of spatial ability should be studied. The role of parental perceptions of their daughter\u27s mathematical ability has been determined to be an important factor in mathematical achievement. Ethnic differences concerning achievement in geometry are not directly addressed in the literature.The two hundred sixteen female students taking geometry in three high schools in the Dade County (Florida) Public Schools participated in the study. The instruments used for assessing geometry achievement and spatial ability were the 1986 Dade County Geometry Test Form 4 and the Developing Cognitive Abilities Test, respectively. Questionnaire and survey instruments were used to obtain information regarding parental perceptions, ethnicity and spatial toy usage during early childhood. A Likert scale was utilized to report frequency of toy usage.T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, Chi Square test for independence and ANOVA were used to examine the existence of possible differences and relationships among the variables. Results of the study indicated: (1) no significant differences between high and low spatial ability groups on self-reported toy usage; (2) a significant relationship between geometry achievement and spatial ability; (3) no significant differences between high and low geometry achievers on their reported use of spatial toys; (4) a difference in geometry achievement between White non-Hispanic and Hispanic students; (5) a strong positive relationship between parental perceptions of their daughter\u27s achievement and the student\u27s performance in geometry.Further research is necessary to clarify the role of toys on the development of spatial ability and geometry achievement