Gender and Achievement - Girls

Question 1

What does Boaler say is an internal factor? (Eop)

Answer 1

Boaler believes EOP are the key reason for changes in girls’ achievement as they make schools more meritocratic. Examples are WISE (women into science engineering) and GIST (Girls into science technology)

Question 2

What does Swann say is an internal factor? (Stereotypes)

Answer 2

Swann argues girls are better at listening and cooperating which is why teachers stereotype girls more positively and this may lead to a self fulfilling prophecy

Question 3

How are positive role models an internal factor?

Answer 3

There has been a significant increase in female teachers recently, these women in high positions act as role models for young girls in education

Question 4

What does Slee say is an interal factor? (Liability students)

Answer 4

Slee finds boys are 4x more likely to be excluded and are therefore less attractive to schools as they’re liability students. Jackson found girls are more likely to be recruited and therefore more likely to achieve as they’re in better schools

Question 5

What do McRobbie and Sharpe say is an external factor? (Women 70s 90s)

Answer 5

McRobbie compared girl’s magazines from the 70’s and 90’s and found they used to be about the housewife role but are now about being assertive independent women. Sharpe interviewed women from these times and found the same.

Question 6

What do Oakhill and Petrides say is an external factor? (Reading)

Answer 6

Generally boys spend time doing sports or games, whilst girls spend time talking or reading which develops linguistic skills Oakhill and petrides found girls are much better at understanding a text when boys struggled to understand it if they weren’t interested