Article Details

This study determined the Effect of Solve Mnemonic Strategy on Basic Education Students’ achievement and retention in Algebraic Word Problems in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study adopted Quasi – Experimental, pretest, posttest post- posttest, non-equivalent control group design. The target population comprised all the 1853 JSII Students (1012 Male and 841 Female). The sample for the study consisted of 87 JS II Students from three intact classes out of which the experimental group consisted of 42 students (26 Urban and 16 Rural) while the control group consisted of 45 students (24 Urban and 21 Rural), their selection is purposeful in order to have data that have state representative. In choosing students, stratified random sampling technique was used on the bases of school location. The instrument for data collection was Algebraic Word Problems Achievement Test (AWPAT). The reliability of AWPAT was found to be  r=0.82 using Split – Half Method. The data collected were analyzed and interpreted using mean and standard deviation to answer research questions and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that Solve Mnemonic strategy enhanced students’ achievement and retention in Algebraic Word Problems than those taught using conventional strategy, the findings further revealed that urban and rural students retain differently in algebraic word problems using SOLVE mnemonic strategy.