Results from their study of six public schools showed that kindergartennumber competence modestly and significantly predicted achievement growth rate from37grades one to three. Additionally, they found that number competence development wasa modest and significant predictor of third grade mathematics achievement.Research has clearly shown the need to focus on specific skillsets inpreparation for middle school mathematics, to ensure that students begin tothink algebraically before reaching this level of schooling, and to consider theadvantages of early mathematics knowledge and how this varies according tosocietal contextual factors. Asserting that number sense is the strongestmathematics construct to study as a predictor of middle school mathematicsachievement, as it best incorporates all of these components, the current studyseeks to look within the student as well. How students are influenced byperceptions of their own ability may significantly interact with adolescentmathematics achievement, including number sense. An appropriate affectiveconstruct must be selected prior to analysis of this relationship.