Author

Ma. Lobenelle T. Crispino*
Filamer Christian University, Inc., Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines

Abstract

This survey-correlational research design investigated the learner agency in relation to the problem-solving proficiency of Grade 8 students of Numancia National School of Fisheries for school year 2025 – 2026. The ninety-nine (99) students of Numancia National School of Fisheries for the school year 2025-2026 were the participants of this study. The data in this study were gathered using a 30-item researcher-made Learner Agency Questionnaire for the level of learner agency and a 10 – item Problem-solving Proficiency Test for the problem-solving proficiency of Grade 8 students. Frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation were the descriptive statistics used in the study. Moreover, ANOVA and Pearson r were utilized for inferential statistical tools. The alpha level of significance was set at 0.05. Based on the results, the major findings of the study were the following: The level of learner agency of Grade 8 students as a whole was “high”. When in terms of learners’ voice, learners’ choice, motivation and engagement, and self-efficacy and collaboration was “high”. But in terms of learners’ ownership the level was “moderate”. The level of problem–solving proficiency of Grade 8 students was “moderate”. There was a significant difference in problem-solving proficiency among the levels of learner agency of Grade 8 students. There was a significant relationship between learner agency and problem–solving proficiency of Grade 8 students.

Keywords: Learner Agency, Problem-Solving Proficiency, Grade 8 Students.

*Corresponding author / Email Address: malobenelle.crispino@deped.gov.ph
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021210

Recommended citation:
Crispino, M. L. T. (2026). Learner agency and problem-solving proficiency of Grade 8 students. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (2), 5259-5277. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021210

Read the full text

References

Aringcamahan, E. J. D. (2025). Mathematical problem-solving skills using Newman’s method and creativity of Grade 9 learners [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Filamer Christian University, Inc.

Vander Ark, T. (2025). Why learner agency is important than ever. 82(9).

Bangud, M. J. J. (2022). English proficiency, critical thinking and problem solving skills of Grade 10 students [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Filamer Christian University.

Brandt, W. C. (2024). Measuring student success skills: A review of the literature on student agency. National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.

Callaman, R. A., & Itaas, E. C. (2020). Students’ mathematics achievement in Mindanao context: A meta-analysis. College of Education, University of Southeastern Philippines; College of Education, Bukidnon State University.

Carson, E. (2020). Learner autonomy, self-efficacy, and willingness to communicate: Developing learner agency. Matsuyama University Studies in Language and Literature.

Castro, U. E. T., & Baez, C. P. (2023). How has the conceptualization of student agency in higher education evolved? Mapping the literature from 2000-2022. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 47(9).

Chand, S., et al. (2021). Perceived causes of students’ poor performance in mathematics: A case study at Ba and Tavua Secondary Schools. Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts; School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics, The University of the South Pacific.

Code, J. (2020). Agency for learning: Intention, motivation, self-efficacy and self-regulation. Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia.

Crockett, L. (2024). How learner agency fuels critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Denosta, J. A. (2022). Mathematical interest, study skills and comprehension under new normal of Grade 11 [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Filamer Christian University.

Erss, M., & Loogma, K. (2025). Upper secondary school students’ learning at work: The effect on agency in school. School of Educational Sciences, Tallinn University.

Michigan Assessment Consortium. (2019). What is learner agency? https://www.michiganassessmentconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/2019_April_What-is-Learner-Agency.pdf

National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment. (n.d.). Student agency and assessment. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://www.nciea.org/blog/student-agency-and-assessment/

Inspiring Inquiry. (n.d.). Learner agency. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://www.inspiringinquiry.com/the-learner/learner-agency

The Learner’s Way. (2021). Agency and mathematics. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://thelearnersway.net/ideas/2021/5/18/agency-and-mathematics

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2019). Student agency for 2030. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/about/projects/edu/education-2040/concept-notes/Student_Agency_for_2030_concept_note.pdf

EBSCO. (n.d.). Survey research in education. Retrieved October 21, 2025, from https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/education/survey-research-education#research-starter-title

Researcher.Life. (n.d.). What is correlational research? Definition and examples. Retrieved October 21, 2025, from https://researcher.life/blog/article/what-is-correlational-research-definition-and-examples/

EAB. (n.d.). Why are students struggling in math? Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://eab.com/resources/blog/k-12-education-blog/why-are-students-struggling-in-math/

Voice of America. (2023). Study: Student learning decreased in math, reading worldwide. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/study-student-learning-decreased-in-math-reading-worldwide-/7387144.html

Anadolu Ajansı. (2023). Study finds global drop in reading, math skills among teen students. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/study-finds-global-drop-in-reading-math-skills-among-teen-students/3075207

ILSA Gateway. (n.d.). Studies results. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://ilsa-gateway.org/studies/results/1698

E-Journals.ph. (n.d.). Article. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=21022

Upgrade Innovation Laboratory. (2025). Math and science woes: Why Filipino students are falling behind and how we can fix it. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://upgradeinnolab.com/2025/04/math-and-science-woes-why-filipino-students-are-falling-behind-and-how-we-can-fix-it/

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). PISA 2022 results volume I and II country notes: Philippines. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/en/publications/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-and-ii-country-notes_ed6fbcc5-en/philippines_a0882a2d-en.html

United Nations Children’s Fund. (2019). Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics 2019 national report of the Philippines. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://www.unicef.org/philippines/media/2556/file/Southeast%20Asia%20Primary%20Learning%20Metrics%202019%20National%20Report%20of%20the%20Philippines.pdf

Hwang, Y., & Oh, J. (2021). The relationship between self-directed learning and problem-solving ability: The mediating role of academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning among nursing students. Department of Nursing, University of Ulsan; Department of Nursing, Daejeon University.

Legarda, M. W. L. (2019). Proficiency in four fundamental operations and problem-solving skills of Grade 7 students [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Filamer Christian University.

Lumoto, H. Q. A., et al. (2024). Exploring students’ mathematics performance through self-regulated learning. Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology.

Macalinda, E. R. V. (2025). Mediating effect of academic self-efficacy on the relationship between self-directed learning and problem-solving skills of students in mathematics. St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc.

Manyukhina, Y., & Wyse, D. (2019). Learner agency and the curriculum: A critical realist perspective. British Educational Research Association.

Mardhiah, M. Z., Mailizar, M., & Elizar, E. (2021). Students’ mathematics problem-solving skills in PISA problems. Department of Mathematics Education, Syiah Kuala University.

Masigan, A. J. (2021). Our education crisis: Why and what’s next? Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Mingke, G. P., & Alegre, E. M. (2019). Difficulties encountered in mathematical word problem solving of the Grade Six learners. Caraga State University.

Mitchell, T. (2023). Fostering student agency in a math classroom: A qualitative practitioner study. University of Canterbury.

Moore, E. (2024). Polya’s problem-solving process. Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership.

Ordiz, J. E., & Costillas, J. G. (2023). Exploring proficiency of solving mathematical problem among mathematics major. Southern Leyte State University; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; SK Taman Perling; Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Osman, S., et al. (2018). Enhancing students’ mathematical problem-solving skills through bar model visualization technique.

Ozrecberoglu, N., & Caganaga, C. K. (2017). Making it count: Strategies for improving problem-solving skills in mathematics for students and teachers’ classroom management. European University of Lefke.

Pudiquet, B., Tumacder, M., & Derilo, M. (2019). Autonomous learning, metacognitive awareness and science academic achievement of pre-service teachers. College of Teacher Education, Nueva Viscaya State University.

Putri, L., Rezani, M. R., & Hermina, D. (2025). Correlational research design. Universitas Islam Negeri Antasari Banjarmasin.

Sinaga, B., Sitorus, J., & Situmeang, T. (2023). The influence of students’ problem-solving understanding and results of students mathematics learning. Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Negeri Medan; Research, Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Provinsi Sumatera Utara; Basic Education, Universitas Muhammadyah Sumatera Utara.

Sumambot, J. Q. C., & Manguilimotan, Y. B. (2025). Examining self-directed learning readiness as a mediator between project-based learning and physics problem-solving skills of Grade 10 students. St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc.

Tababa, J. C. C., et al. (2024). Self-agency as a strategy in emergency remote learning among Filipino Grade 10 students. Philippine Normal University.

Taub, M., et al. (2020). The agency effect: The impact of student agency on learning, emotions, and problem-solving behaviors in a game-based learning environment. Computers and Education, 147.

Valdez, J. E., & Bungihan, M. E. (2019). Problem-based learning approach enhances the problem-solving skills in chemistry of high school students. College of Arts and Sciences, Nueva Viscaya State University; College of Teacher Education, Quirino State University.

Visaya, F. J. L., & Visaya, R. L. (2024). Equipping educators: A collaborative action research approach to addressing math challenges in the classroom set-up. De La Salle University.

Yao, J. J., Jr. (2021). The significance of self-directed learning readiness, academic self-efficacy, and problem-solving ability among Filipino nursing students. Cebu Normal University.

Zeiser, K., Scholz, C., & Cirks, V. (2018). Maximizing student agency: Implementing and measuring student-centered learning practices. American Institutes for Research.