This study focuses on whether and to which extent teachers incorporate grade performance in mathematics in appraising the students’ self-concepts of their own mathematical ability. Structural equation and multilevel modelling was used to investigate these questions based on 36 teachers and 663 first graders. Mathematical achievement predicted teacher ratings of students’ mathematical self-concept to a greater degree than students’ mathematical self-concepts did. However, the degree to which teacher ratings were predicted by pupils’ ratings differed substantially across teachers. A discussion on the theoretical and practical implications of the results concludes this study.

Keywords
diagnostic competence, judgment accuracy, academic self-concept in mathematics, achievement in mathematics