In order to interpret students' attitudes about mathematics, Vesife Hatisaru asks: What do students find necessary or useful in learning mathematics? And what are the connections between their perceived needs for mathematics and their attitudes, views and feelings about mathematics? In this article, she provides evidence on these critical issues…

Integrating multiple theoretical frameworks, the authors examined rising first- to fourth-grade students' mathematics utility conceptions--their knowledge and beliefs about the usefulness of mathematics, home-based mathematics engagement, and grade-level differences in mathematics utility conceptions and home engagement. Most children viewed…