03/19/2024
By Zakkiyya Witherspoon

The School of Education invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Evan Korol on “Generating Purposeful Effort to Improve High School Math Homework Perception."

Candidate: Evan Korol
Degree: Doctoral- Leadership in Schooling STEM
Defense Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Time: Noon
Location: Remote via Zoom
Thesis/Dissertation Title: Generating Purposeful Effort to Improve High School Math Homework Perception

Dissertation Committee

  • Dissertation Chair: James Nehring, Ed.D., Professor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy, Ed.D. Associate Professor, Leadership in Schooling, Graduate Coordinator for Ed.D Programs, & Co-director of Center for Asian American Studies
  • Tara Goodhue, Ed.D., Dissertation Mentor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell

ABSTRACT 

Current high school math teacher use of, and student attitudes toward, homework does not contribute to student understanding of mathematical content and critical reasoning skills. Using a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, this study sought to improve homework in such a way so students may understand mathematical content better, advance their critical reasoning skills, and have an improved perception of math homework. 

A problem diagnosis of research and a local needs assessment explores the theory of change surrounding math homework. A conceptual framework was developed, highlighting the interactions between teachers, students, outside school factors, and society on high school math homework. Building a PDSA cycle off of this theory of improvement, a mixed- methods study was developed, consisting five high school math classes, covering six weeks of homework. 

The design group hypothesized completing the intervention homework would result in improving students’ performance and their homework preferences. Using quantitative data from a two-way ANOVA and findings from qualitative data from a focus group interview, the findings of this study showed that students prefer shorter homework assignments in a worksheet or PDF format that verifies their understanding over long and repetitive or accuracy-based homework, especially if that comes from a list of textbook problems. Policy recommendations at the local level to run a second study, design homework in a self-contained format, and establish consistent homework policies across departments are provided before a summary of the entire study process and personal reflections.