Mathematics teaching and learning should equip students with the ability to think critically and creatively and problem-solving skill to enable them to compete in the industrial revolution 4.0. This descriptive explorative study explores the readiness and challenges faced by Indonesian junior high school (SMP/MTs) student in solving HOTs type mathematics test using Islamic context. Data were collected from a test-based open-ended questionnaire distributed to 164 students in the 8th of five schools in Sidoarjo East Java comprising 2 junior madrasas (Islamic schools), 2 Islamic-based junior high schools and 1 public junior high school. Descriptive analysis using SPSS and categorization of responses (referring to response options in the questionnaire such as have ever-never, necessary-unnecessary, answered-not answered, etc) show that considering their experience, the students are “less ready” to face HOTs type mathematics test. However, students expect that they can be given more practices in doing HOTs type mathematics questions to help them get accustomed to this type of question. Being unaccustomed to non-routine and lengthy questions, lazy trait and being unfamiliar to Islamic terms used as the context of the question becomes the challenges for the students in facing HOTs type mathematics test.

Curriculum reform plays an essential role in assuring the success of systematic educational change. The purpose of this study is to portray the government policy and the issues of the Curriculum 2013 implementation. This study employed qualitative methodology using document analysis, observation and Focused Group Discussion (FGD)   as data collection techniques. The results of this study show that the curricula philosophy of curriculum reform was well-articulated and relevant to meet the requirements of twenty-first century learning competencies. However, the curricula implementation process faced substantial challenges with technical problems regarding the national standards of education document, teacher training and competences, the availability of school textbooks, and classroom assessment implementation. The findings of this study have several implications for implementing the national curriculum in Indonesia. Therefore, alignment between the national standards of education document, the curriculum structure, and the assessment system is required in order to ensure the successful implementation of Curriculum 2013 throughout the nation.AbstrakReformasi kurikulum memainkan peran penting dalam memastikan keberhasilan perubahan pendidikan yang sistematis. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menggambarkan kebijakan pemerintah dan isu-isu implementasi Kurikulum 2013. Penelitian ini menggunakan metodologi kualitatif menggunakan analisis dokumen, observasi dan diskusi kelompok terpumpun sebagai teknik pengumpulan data. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa filosofi reformasi kurikulum diartikulasikan dengan baik dan relevan untuk memenuhi persyaratan kompetensi pembelajaran abad kedua puluh satu. Namun, proses implementasi kurikulum menghadapi tantangan besar dengan masalah teknis mengenai dokumen yang terkait dengan standar nasional pendidikan, pelatihan dan kompetensi guru, ketersediaan buku pelajaran di sekolah, dan implementasi penilaian di dalam kelas. Temuan penelitian ini memiliki beberapa implikasi untuk menerapkan kurikulum nasional di Indonesia. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan keselarasan antara dokumen standar nasional pendidikan, struktur kurikulum, dan sistem penilaian untuk memastikan keberhasilan implementasi Kurikulum 2013 di seluruh negara.

This study aims to provide information about the effect of implementing the principles of guidance and counseling services in mathematics learning as a solution to low mathematics learning outcomes. The instruments used include a written test in the form of multiple choices. The results of the study were strengthened by the results of student interviews and learning observation assessment sheets by mathematics teachers as observers. The results showed that the simple linear regression equation test, namely Y = 2.019 + 0.901 X, showed a positive direction. Therefore, the treatment has a significant effect on student learning outcomes as indicated by the percentage increase in learning outcomes of 58.48% from the difference between the average pretest and posttest scores.