Mathematics-Writing Performance of Students Experiencing Mathematics Difficulties in China

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Mathematics-Writing Performance of Students Experiencing Mathematics Difficulties in China
Language: English
Authors: Xiaonan Han (ORCID 0009-0003-8949-1212), Xin Lin (ORCID 0000-0002-8077-5134)
Source: Journal of Learning Disabilities. 2026 59(3):185-201.
Availability: SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Grade 6
Intermediate Grades
Middle Schools
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Mathematics Skills, Writing (Composition), Learning Problems, Elementary School Students, Grade 6, Writing Skills, Vocabulary, Computation
Geographic Terms: China
DOI: 10.1177/00222194251391829
ISSN: 0022-2194
1538-4780
Abstract: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the mathematics-writing (MW) performance of students with mathematics difficulties (MDs) in China. We compared the performance of students with MD with their typically developing (TD) and high-performing (HP) peers. The analysis was based on a sample of 138 sixth-grade students. Our findings revealed (a) the trend in MW performance followed the hierarchy of mathematics ability levels (HP > TD > MD), whereas all groups displayed similar performance in general writing (HP = TD = MD), (b) although all three groups were able to organize their ideas in general writing, they had difficulty structuring their ideas effectively in MW, and (c) students with MD were less likely to incorporate technical mathematics vocabulary and symbols in their MW; they were also more likely to write incomplete sentences and make punctuation mistakes in their MW. Implications for educational strategies, teaching methodologies, and targeted support interventions are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502797
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the mathematics-writing (MW) performance of students with mathematics difficulties (MDs) in China. We compared the performance of students with MD with their typically developing (TD) and high-performing (HP) peers. The analysis was based on a sample of 138 sixth-grade students. Our findings revealed (a) the trend in MW performance followed the hierarchy of mathematics ability levels (HP > TD > MD), whereas all groups displayed similar performance in general writing (HP = TD = MD), (b) although all three groups were able to organize their ideas in general writing, they had difficulty structuring their ideas effectively in MW, and (c) students with MD were less likely to incorporate technical mathematics vocabulary and symbols in their MW; they were also more likely to write incomplete sentences and make punctuation mistakes in their MW. Implications for educational strategies, teaching methodologies, and targeted support interventions are discussed.
ISSN:0022-2194
1538-4780
DOI:10.1177/00222194251391829