Gender Differences in Achievement

Key words and theorists

Theorists: McRobbie O'Connor Swann Beck and Beck-Gernsheim Boaler French Fuller Biggart Jackson Mitsos and Browne Weiner Gorard Elwood Sharpe Reay Slee

Key terms: aspirations - goals or hope of achieving something challenging stereotypes - actively encouraging deviation from gender norms coursework - method of assessment that involves a drafted, extended essay, completed over several months Equal Opportunities Policies - governmental/school policies that aim to provide the same opportunities to all students (recently there has been emphasis in offering female students more opportunities in science-based subjects external factors - things that affect educational achievement from outside school e.g) family and wider society feminism - sociological theory that society is based around the male, patriarchal domination of women gender gap - the difference between males and females (in this case, in educational achievement) internal factors - things that affect educational achievement from inside school role models - successful people students look up to, in terms of careers, subject choice or gender role socialisation selection - pupils are more likely to be selected on educational applications if female (because they are more academically capable, statistically speaking)

The gender gap in educational achievement is narrowing: Girls do better in coursework tasks, whilst boys generally do better in exam conditions. The abolition of coursework-based assessment meant that girls' achievement dropped.

Gendered Subject Choice

Science Gender Gap Affects Girls: Sky NewsGender Stereotypes 'Turning Girls off Maths and Science Careers' Report Claims: Huffington Post

The Gender Gap in Achievement