2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 3
CollabWritive Special Issue
Available Online: 1 June 2026
Author/s:
Villere, Christian A.
University of Nueva Caceres, Philippines (christian.villere@unc.edu.ph)
Abstract:
Mathematical literacy is an integral part of developing students’ 21st-century skills, especially for international assessments such as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Candidates’ scores, however, do not align with the global average in mathematics, as seen in recent PISA tests, showing the need to improve the teaching of mathematics using materials that emphasize contextualized problem-solving and real-world applications. The goal of this study was to design and develop a mathematics workbook that integrates with PISA and strengthens numerical literacy and reasoning skills for grade 9 students. The design used in this study was a Research and Development (R&D) design, grounded in practical research, to illustrate the pragmatic paradigm. The competencies in the PISA Mathematics Framework were analyzed, and the activities in the Workbooks were aligned with the Department of Education’s grade 9 Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs). The material focused on selected geometry topics, including quadrilaterals and similarity, and was reflected in contextualized mathematics problems set in real-life contexts. Content validation of the workbook was conducted by three mathematics experts using the Department of Education Evaluation Rating Sheet for Print Resources. Ten teachers (weaving mathematics education) participated in evaluating its acceptability using an evaluation form adapted from the Teacher Acceptability and Usability questionnaire. The results showed that the workbook had satisfactory qualities in terms of content, clarity, relevance, and appropriateness for Grade 9 learners. Feedback from the evaluators led to revisions that improved the organization and contextualization of the material. The study resulted in a validated and accepted “PISA mathematics workbook” for 9th-grade students, which can be used as a supplementary tool to develop mathematical literacy, practical problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Keywords: mathematical literacy, PISA-aligned workbook, geometry instruction, contextualized mathematics, Grade 9 mathematics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26613
Cite this article:
Villere, C. A. (2026). Designing for global competency: A PISA – aligned mathematics workbook for developing numerical literacy of Grade 9 students. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(3), 167-180. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26613