Social capital modelling in mathematical literacy

Abstract

This study proposed a social capital (SC) model to examine the relational bonds between SC and the mathematical literacy (ML). A random sample of 1021 15-year old secondary school students responded to the SC Questionnaire measured in Likert scales rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agreed) and answered selected released 2006 PISA items on ML. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to test the measurement model and the structural model in a two-stage approach. The factor loadings of the SC items were all above 0.6 with Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI) = 0.934, Adjusted Goodness-of-Fit Index (AGFI) = 0.904, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.934, Normed Fit Index (NFI) = 0.903 and Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.070. Results of hypothesis testing indicated that the Internet and home economic capital have positive and significant effect on ML. Teacher exerts a negative significant effect on the ML. This study concluded that the Internet, social economic status and teacher contribute to the development of ML. It strongly supports the inclusion of the Internet as an additional SC factor in view of the global educational excellence in this information age.