Laotian students’ mathematical literacy in solving PISA problems

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the mathematics ability of Laotian students in secondary school in the Meung Meun District when they were solving PISA problems. The type of this research was survey research with a quantitative approach. The population was 472 students of secondary school in Meung Meun District. A sample of 216 students from four schools were selected using purposive sampling technique. The data was collected by using 14 PISA items. The data were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum scores, and the percentage of the correct answer. The research showed that the mathematics ability of Lao students to solve the PISA problems based on Polya's stages was in low ability, and all indicators of Polya's stages also were low ability. The students' ability was moderate in the personal context, students' ability was low in the occupational context, students' ability was moderate in the societal context, and students' ability was moderate in the scientific context. At the School Level, students' abilities at the Urban School and Rural School were similar with moderate ability. Students' ability in all indicators of Polya's stages and each School Level was not different, they all were in the moderate ability.