Abstract

Problem of mathematical anxiety has raised concerns for educators because of its negative impact on mathematical knowledge, mathematics achievement, self-confidence and disposition towards mathematics and future students' careers. This research was a survey reasearch, aimed to describe about (1) Level of mathematical anxiety in grade IX in Islamic Junior High School 4 Sultan Agung Semarang; (2) Factors that caused students‘ anxiety on mathematics; (3) Whether the level of mathematical anxiety caused the lower performance of mathematics; and (4) Teachers‘ strategy in deconstructing students‘ mathematical anxiety into positive disposition toward mathematics. Data was collected through questionnaire and interview. Result of the research concluded that (1) Level of mathematical anxiety by 9th graders in Islamic Junior High School 4 Sultan Agung Semarangindicated the high level of anxiety. (2) There were four factors that caused students‘ mathematical anxiety, namely: (a) assessment on periodic test, (b) mathematics teachers, (c) student personality, and (d) mathematics nature and perception; (3) it was not the level of students‘ mathematical anxiety that caused a decrease on mathematical performance, but the students‘ ability to organize their anxiety on the stage of anticipation and paying attention on a task. (4) Strategy from teachers was to create conducive learning environment, provide scaffolding, and help students to deconstruct mathematical anxiety into positive mathematical disposition behaviour, so the students would be more successful in mathematics.