Exploring the influence of school management on “achievement goal orientation” of grade 10 physical sciences learners

Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the influence of management goal orientation on learner goal orientation using the achievement goal theory as a lens. The achievement goal theory explains two distinctive goals, namely mastery goal, which is believed to enhance conceptual understanding (Patrick & Yoon, 2004) and performance goal, which is about outperforming other learners and achieving high grades (Meece, Blumenfeld & Hoyle, 1988). Third-generation Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) (Engeström, 1987) has been used as an overall lens to view and analyse the goal emphasis of the school management and its influence on learner achievement goal orientation. The school will be seen as an activity system. The science learner is seen as the subject in the activity system and the object being his/her achievement goal orientation. Management in the school forms part of the community, and will have an influence on the achievement goal orientation of the learner. This study follows an explanatory mixed method design in data collection and analysis. Creswell (2010) defines a mixed method approach as one that involves collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and can be used when one data source is insufficient and to get a deeper understanding of phenomena. In this study three underperforming schools were purposefully sampled and a total of 189 learners completed an achievement goal theory questionnaire developed by Vedder-Weiss and Fortus (2010). I also carried out interviews with Heads of Departments (HODs) and Principals in these schools to explore their goal orientation in science teaching and learning. The results have indicated that learners from underperforming schools bring both mastery and performance goals into the learning situation. However, the interviews conducted with school management in the sampled schools showed a stronger support for a performance goal orientation than a mastery goal orientation. The conclusion is that school management seems to be mainly concerned with producing good results, a trend that seems to be embedded in the policies of the education system...M.Ed