2. EDUCATION - Girls Achievement

Question 1

THE GENDER GAP IN ACHIEVEMENT:

What percentage are girls ahead of boys in all areas of learning?

Answer 1

7-17%

Question 2

THE GENDER GAP IN ACHIEVEMENT:
KS1-3 girls do consistently better than boys, what percentage do they out perform boys at achieving the nationals average?

Answer 2

8.9%

Question 3

EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
1.) The impact of feminism.
The ‘Feminist Movement’ has improved the rights of women and challenged traditional views. They’re no longer bound to traditional house roles.
What does sociologist McRobbie (1994) say?

Answer 3

1970’s magazines emphasised the importance of marriage. Nowadays women are independent, and as a result of this, young girls are more motivated to do well in school.

Question 4

EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
2.) Changes in the family
Since the 70’s divorce rate, declined marriage, declined birth rates, and lone parent families are more prevalent.
How do financially independent women influence girls?

Answer 4

They’re seen as role models, they motivate girls to do well so they can achieve.

Question 5

EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
3.) Changes in employment options for women
According to Webb (2005) what is the increase in percentage of working women?
And how much has the pay gap fallen?

Answer 5

53% in 1971 to 67% in 2013.

30% down to 17%.

Question 6

EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
2.) Changes in women’s employment
What is the ‘Glass Ceiling Effect’?

Answer 6

The invisible barrier that keeps women out of high status jobs.

Question 7

EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
4.) Changing ambitions
Sue Sharpe (1976/1994) found girls ambitions from 1970 to 1990 had changed.
How so?

Answer 7

In the 1970’s girls wanted Love Marriage Husbands Children in that order.
In the 1990’s the attitude had changed, girls were more likely to see themselves working than with a husband.

Question 8

INTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
1.) Equal Opportunities Policies
What are the 3 policies?

Answer 8

WISE and GIST - helping females enter traditionally male roles.
The National Curriculum - Males and Females study the same core subjects and therefore are equal.

Question 9

INTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
2.) Positive Role Models
More women than ever are taking high responsibility jobs in the education system. This provides females with role models.
What did Weiner (1995) say?

Answer 9

Teachers are challenging gender stereotypes more than ever, eg, sexist images have been removed from text books and more positive female imagery is there.

Question 10

INTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
3.) GCSE’s and Coursework
How does this prove education is more suited to girls?

Answer 10

Girls are more organised and have a bedroom culture meaning they’re calm and collected and learn best when reading and writing.
In contrast, boys have different skills such as physical and leadership skills, therefore they learn better doing and using practical skills.

Question 11

INTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
4.) Teacher Labelling
According to Francis (2001) boys got more attention and were disciplined harder, and teachers tended to have low expectations of them.
What does Fuller (2009) suggest?

Answer 11

Some teachers see girls (especially M/C) as ‘ideal pupils’ and can interact positively and boost their self esteem.

Question 12

INTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
5.) Challenging Stereotypes
The removal of gender stereotypes from learning materials has lifted the barrier of gender achievement.
What did Weiner (1995) suggest?

Answer 12

Positive images of women in textbooks and learning materials helps raise girls achievement as they are positive and confident due to there being no stereotypes.

Question 13

INTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
TWO VIEWS OF ACHIEVEMENT:
1.) Liberal Feminism
They celebrate girls progress. Further progress and be achieved through what?

Answer 13

Equal opportunities policies
positive role models
overcoming sexism

Question 14

INTERNAL FACTORS FOR GIRLS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
TWO VIEWS OF ACHIEVEMENT:
2.) Radical Feminism
They’re more critics. They still see education as patriarchal.
What do they say still continues at school?

Answer 14

Sexual harassment
Limited female subject choice
male teachers are still likely to be head
women are underrepresented