Education - (Girls) Gender Differences in Achievement - Internal Factors

Question 1

GCSE & Coursework

Answer 1

Mitos and Brown found that girls do better than boys in coursework because they are more conscientious and better organised.

Gorad found that the gender gap in achievement increased sharply when GCSE was introduced in 1988.

Question 2

Equal Opportunities Policy

Answer 2

GIST and WISE programmes to encourage girls into science and technology.

National curriculum - girls and boys largely study the same subjects (eg. by making science compulsory).

Question 3

Role Models

Answer 3

There are more female teachers, which feminises the learning environment and encourages girls to see school as part of a ‘female gender domain’.

Question 4

Teacher Attention

Answer 4

Swann found that boys dominate class discussions, whereas girls are better at listening and cooperating. Teachers respond more positively to girls and give them more encouragement.

French and French found that teachers paid boys and girls similar amounts of attention for academic reasons, but boys received more attention overall because they were disciplined more often.

Question 5

Selection and League Tables

Answer 5

Marketisation policies have led to increased competition between schools. Schools therefore have the incentive to recruit more able students. Girls are generally more successful than boys, so are more attractive to schools.