Productive disposition in mathematical problem solving of STEM students and its correlation to their mathematical achievement

The Philippines continues to struggle with low performance in Mathematics, as indicated by the latest findings from the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Despite efforts to implement reforms following disappointing results in 2018, less than a quarter of Filipino students reached the minimum proficiency level in Mathematics. The country’s scores remain below the global average, with only 16 percent of students achieving basic proficiency in math. Despite ongoing reforms, the Philippines faces a significant challenge in improving student performance on a global scale. As a result, the main objective of this study is to improve the academic achievement of the students, particularly in Mathematics. The researcher used an explanatory sequential design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to achieve comprehensive results. This approach involves analyzing quantitative data first, followed by qualitative insights to deepen understanding of the problem. The quantitative analysis revealed a non-significant correlation between productive disposition and mathematical achievement, challenging the presumption of a direct relationship between these variables. This suggests that factors beyond productive disposition alone influence academic performance in mathematics. To explore this further, qualitative analysis was conducted, identifying five key factors contributing to positive productive disposition: resilience, empowerment, relevance, adaptability, and ingenuity. These attributes collectively enhance students’ success in learning mathematics. Additionally, participants perceived a significant impact of positive productive disposition on various aspects of mathematical learning, including enjoyment, persistence, performance, confidence, and relevance. This highlights the importance of fostering a positive disposition alongside developing knowledge and skills for substantial achievement in mathematics.