Abstract:

In order to be qualified in mathematics education and training, mathematics literacy self-efficacy (MLSE) of teachers, which is the cornerstone of education, should be high and continuously developed. Developing thinking, questioning and producing skills should be the first priority for mathematics teacher candidates to have high MLSE. Therefore, it is aimed to determine the levels of MLSE of primary school mathematics teacher candidates. In this regard, the aim of this study is to determine whether primary mathematics teacher candidates' answers to the questions related to their levels of MLSE differ according to their parents' educational status and gender. This research was carried out by using face - to - face questionnaire technique with 73 senior students- teacher candidates who are studying in Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Faculty of Education Elementary Mathematics Teaching Department in fall semester of 2019-2020 academic year. The data obtained from the study were analyzed by using mean, t-test and one-way analysis of variance. In the study, it has been concluded that a significant number of teacher candidates have developed MLSE. In the study, no significant relationship was found between the educational status of parents and literacy self-efficacy scores. It was found that the educational status of the parents did not contribute to the level of MLSE. There was a significant difference between the scores of teacher candidates' MLSE scores and gender. It was concluded that the average score of MLSE of male students was lower than the average score of MLSE of female students. Focusing on courses such as literacy of mathematics curriculum in schools, logical reasoning, misconceptions in mathematics teaching will contribute to the increase of teacher candidates' MLSE, development of thinking, questioning and producing abilities.

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