Significant differences in students’ mathematics achievement and attitudes towards mathematics were found between experimental and control groups. After the treatment, experimental group students showed significant improvement in mathematics achievement and attitudes towards mathematics in comparison to control group students. It was found that students’ performance in mathematics and attitudes towards mathematics were affected by exposure to the cooperative learning. Students seem to prefer learning mathematics by sharing knowledge. They feel contented when they can function effectively in the group work. It is hoped that the findings of this study may assist policymakers and teachers to identify appropriate measures that could promote cooperative learning in mathematics classrooms. The results of the study might also advance our understanding on practical contribution of cooperative learning.
On the whole, the findings of this study have shown a great improvement in mathematics achievement and attitudes towards mathematics. Therefore, cooperative learning can be successfully used to promote student’ performance in mathematics in secondary schools in Bangladesh. Future research should focus on the longitudinal study of cooperative learning on academic achievement in various disciplines.