Impact of Cooperative and Mastery Learning Strategies on Mathematics Achievement and Retention of Senior School Students in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of cooperative and mastery learning strategies on Mathematics Achievement and Retentions of Senior Secondary School students in Minna metropolis Niger State. The study employed a quasi-experimental design using non-equivalent pre-test, post-test and post-post-test control group design. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated for the study. A sample of 180 SSII Students from three senior secondary schools in Minna metropolis, Niger State' were randomly sample for the study. Instrument of data collection was Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT). The instrument was validated by an expert from Science Education Department, Federal University of Technology, Minna and two Mathematics teachers from secondary schools. The instrument has a reliability index of 0.84 using Kuder- Richardson K2,. The research questions were answered using means and standard deviation and the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using ANO VA. Results shows that cooperative and mastery learning strategies improved students' achievement and retentions in Mathematics. It was recommended among others that teachers should be encouraged to integrate cooperative learning strategy and mastery learning strategies in the classroom.