Internal Factors For The Gender Gap

Question 1

How have ‘Equal Opportunities Policies’ impacted the Gender Gap in Education?

Answer 1

• Teachers are more sensitive to avoid gender stereotyping
• Boys + Girls are both entitled to education
• GIST (Girls in Science and Technology)
• WISE ( Women into Science and Engineering)
• National Curriculum encouraged all children to study similar subjects

Question 2

How has ‘GCSE and Coursework’ impacted the Gender Gap in Education?

Answer 2

• Increase proportion of female teachers + head teachers
• Qualified women in professional positions may act as role models for girls
• Primary schools are now ‘feminised’

Question 3

How has ‘Teacher Attention’ impacted the Gender Gap in Education?

Answer 3

• Spender; Found teachers spend more time with boys + demand more attention
• Swann + Graddol; Boys are more boisterous + attract teacher’s gaze
• Positive SFP for girls + Negative SFP for boys

Question 4

How has ‘Selection and League Tables’ impacted the Gender Gap in Education?

Answer 4

• Removal of gender stereotypes + sexist images from textbooks
• Removed a barrier to girl’s achievement

Question 5

How has ‘Selection and League Tables’ impacted the Gender Gap in Education?

Answer 5

• Marketisation creates a more competitive climate, Girls are seen as desirable recruits
• Jackson; Girls boost the school’s league table position, while boys don’t
• Slee; Boys suffer from behavioural issues + 4X more likely to be excluded, so they are perceived as a ‘liability’