Education Topic 4 - Gender Flashcards
What impact does gender have on educational experience?
Gender can have a major impact on how we experience education, with girls now overtaking boys in academic performance.
By what percentage were girls ahead of boys at the end of year 1 in all areas of learning?
Girls were ahead of boys by between 7 and 17% in all 7 areas of learning.
In which subject do girls consistently perform better, and how does the gap change with age?
Girls consistently perform better in English, with the gap widening as they age.
What is the gender gap in GCSE results?
The gender gap stands at about 10% difference.
How do girls perform in vocational subjects compared to boys?
A larger proportion of girls achieve distinctions in every subject, including engineering and construction.
True or False: The focus on girls outperforming boys obscures the fact that some girls underachieve.
True
What external factor has significantly improved women’s rights and opportunities?
The impact of Feminism has improved women’s rights and opportunities.
How did McRobbie’s study illustrate changes in women’s representation in media from the 1970s to the 1990s?
McRobbie’s study showed a shift from magazines emphasizing marriage to those portraying strong independent women.
What major changes in family structure have influenced girls’ attitudes towards education since the 1970s?
Girls may have role models of strong independent women, prompting them to seek well-paid jobs and good qualifications.
What significant legislative change in 1970 impacted women’s employment?
The 1970 Equal Pay Act made it illegal to pay women less than men for the same work.
According to Sharpe’s interviews, how did girls’ priorities shift from the 1970s to the 1990s?
In the 1970s, girls prioritized love and marriage, while in the 1990s, they prioritized careers and self-support.
What does Boaler (1998) argue is a key reason for changes in girls’ achievement?
Boaler argues that equal opportunities policies have removed barriers to educational success.
How do teachers interact differently with boys and girls according to Francis (2001)?
Boys are disciplined more harshly and have lower expectations placed on them by teachers.
What are GIST and WISE initiatives aimed at?
GIST (Girls into Science and Technology) and WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) encourage girls to pursue non-traditional careers.
What is the impact of coursework on the gender gap in achievement according to Gorard (2005)?
Gorard claims the gender gap increased after the introduction of GCSEs and coursework, indicating assessment change rather than boys’ failure.
What is the ‘glass ceiling’ in women’s employment?
The ‘glass ceiling’ refers to the invisible barrier that keeps women out of high-level professional or managerial jobs.
What does the term ‘symbolic capital’ refer to in the context of working-class girls?
Symbolic capital refers to the status and recognition gained from peers by performing working-class feminine identities.
What conflict do working-class girls face regarding their identities and educational success?
They face a dilemma between gaining symbolic capital from peers or gaining educational capital by conforming to the school’s ideal female pupil.
What is one reason for boys’ underachievement according to the DCSF (2007)?
Boys’ poor literacy and language skills are a significant reason for their underachievement.
What is the feminization of education according to Sewell (2006)?
Sewell argues that the curriculum is feminized, failing to nurture traditionally masculine traits like competitiveness.
What role do male primary school teachers play in boys’ education?
A shortage of male primary school teachers is believed to contribute to boys’ underachievement.
What does Epstein (1998) suggest about masculinity and working-class boys in education?
Working-class boys face harassment for appearing academic, as masculinity is constructed as being tough and manual.
What is the focus of the National Literacy Strategy?
The National Literacy Strategy aims to improve boys’ reading skills.
What is one critique of feminist policies in education?
Critics argue that policies promoting gender equality are no longer needed and that girls are succeeding at boys’ expense.
