Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology
The relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels
Cengiz Süzen 1, Semiha Kula Ünver 2 *
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1 Dokuz Eylül University, Institute of Educational Sciences, İzmir, Türkiye
2 Dokuz Eylül University, Buca Faculty of Education, Department of Mathematics Education, İzmir, Türkiye
* Corresponding Author
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ARTICLE INFO

Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, Online First, pp. 1-14
https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202537039

Article Type: Research Article

Published Online: 05 Aug 2025

Views: 4 | Downloads: 4

ABSTRACT
This study investigates the relationships between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels. Mathematical literacy was assessed in terms of students' ability to effectively use mathematics in real-life contexts, focusing on the processes of formulating, employing, and interpreting-evaluating. Conducted through a relational survey model and structural equation modeling, the study involved 550 eighth-grade students. Data were collected using the Geometry Achievement Test, the Van Hiele Geometric Thinking Test, and a Mathematical Literacy Test adapted from PISA items. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a very strong positive relationship between geometry achievement and mathematical literacy, and a strong positive relationship between geometric thinking levels and mathematical literacy. Structural equation modeling results indicated that geometry achievement had a substantial effect on mathematical literacy, particularly influencing the interpretation and evaluation process. Geometric thinking levels had a moderate effect on the formulation process and a lower effect on the application process. The model's fit indices demonstrated an excellent fit between the model and the data. Overall, the findings highlight the critical role of geometry achievement and Van Hiele-based geometric thinking in the development of mathematical literacy. In this context, geometry-focused instructional practices and activities that foster geometric thinking skills may significantly contribute to enhancing students’ mathematical literacy.
KEYWORDS
geometry achievement mathematical literacy middle school students structural equation modeling Van Hiele geometric thinking level
In-text citation: (Süzen & Kula Ünver, 2025)
Reference: Süzen, C., & Kula Ünver, S. (2025). The relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202537039
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Süzen C, Kula Ünver S. The relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202537039
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Süzen C, Kula Ünver S. The relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202537039
In-text citation: (Süzen and Kula Ünver, 2025)
Reference: Süzen, Cengiz, and Semiha Kula Ünver. "The relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology (2025). https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202537039
In-text citation: (Süzen and Kula Ünver, 2025)
Reference: Süzen, C., and Kula Ünver, S. (2025). The relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202537039
In-text citation: (Süzen and Kula Ünver, 2025)
Reference: Süzen, Cengiz et al. "The relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy, geometry achievement, and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202537039
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