Gender and Achievement

Question 1

Trends:

Answer 1

Girls are more likely to achieve 5 A* - C than boys, girls outperform boys at A levels in most subjects.

Question 2

Gender is important:

Answer 2

Gender socialisation - Girls may be socialised to be more hard-working and obedient so are better suited to achieve in school (boys may be more boisterous and less hard-working)

Teachers expectations - Girls may be labelled as lazy or trouble makers.

Subcultures - Girls more likely to join pro-school whereas boys more likely to join anti-school.

Question 3

Gender is not important:

Answer 3

Functionalism - All pupils have an equal chance

Marxists - Class is more important in achievement
The gender gap in achievement could be narrowing