The gender gap of achievement Flashcards
In the past what gender performed better than the opposing gender?
Boys out-performed girls
What has happened since 1980s?
Since 1980’s girls have improved more rapidly and now they do better than boys at all levels and in most subjects.
At GCSE, how many points ahead are girls to boys?
10 points ahead
What was the gap between boys and girls getting C or above at GCSE?
In 2006 it was 7.7 but in 2016 it was 8.9 points
At gcse the overall entrants in maths for girls and boys is what?
50.2% to boys and 49.8 for girls
What are the percentage of entrants getting a grade 9 in maths for girls and boys?
58.4 for boys and 41.6%
What does this show?
Boys from socialization are socialized to go into Maths and construction as it is felt from ‘male domain’. Girls are socialized in an expressive way, likely to play with toys, mothers are likely to read to them.
At gcse the overall entrants in English for girls and boys is what?
50.9% for boys and 49.3% for girls
At the start of school children are intitally given baseline assessments to explore basic understanding, what was the findings?
Curriculum authority found that girls scored higher in all tests.
On vocational courses a large proportion of girls achieve what?
They achieve distinction in every subject, including those such as engineering/construction where girls are the minority.
At as level…. finish off the sentence?
Girls are more likely to pass and get higher grades, although the gap is much narrower than at GCSE.
What does this show (A03)?
Boys are narrowing the gender gap to the top grades e.g. in 2016 the attainment of boys for boys achieving a high score is 16% whereas girls is 22%.
At higher education… finish of sentence?
Before 1997 boys were more likely to stay for higher education than girls, those trends have reversed( however its important to note more girls and boys are staying on in higher education than ever before)
What are the 4 external factors that influence Girls achievement?
The impact of feminism
Changes in family
Changes in women’s employment
Girls changing ambitions
What has the influence of feminism had on women’s achievement (including sociologist)?
Since 1960’s, feminists have challenged patriarchy and rejected the traditional stereotypes of women as inferior to men in home. Feminists have had an impact on Women’s rights and opportunities for example
McRobbie (1994) – study of girls’ magazines. They emphasized the importance of marriage whereas now, they contain images of assertive, independent women.
Why will this lead to women’s achievement (impact of feminism?
These changes encouraged by feminism may affect girls’ self esteem and ambitions in terms of family and careers. As a result they are more motivated to do well in education.
What have changes of family has there been?
Increased divorce rate
Increase in cohabitation
More lone-parent families
Smaller families
Why have these changes in family lead to girls achievement?
These changes affect girls attitudes, more women may need to take on the breadwinner role which is a new role model for girls. They need to be able to achieve independence by working hard and getting a well-paid job, so gives them motivation to do well in education.
What changes have there been in women’s employment?
1970 Equal pay act – illegal to pay women less than men for work of equal value.
1975 Sex discrimination act – outlaws discrimination in the workplace
Why are these changes likely to lead to girls achievement?
As a result of these changes, girls today have more incentive to see their future in terms of paid work and this creates an incentive for them to gain qualifications.
What changes have their been in girls changing aspirations including sociologist?
Sharpe’s (1994) interviews with girls in the 70’s and 90’s showed a major shift in the way girls see their future. In the 70’s, girls had low aspirations and believed educational success was unfeminine. Priorities were marriage, husband, children. In the 90’s, being able to support themselves was a main priority and were more likely to see their future as being an independent women with a career.
Why are these changes likely to lead to girls achievement?
Girls are now likely to have higher career aspirations and so need to get high qualifications.
What is an AO3 evaluation that links class, gender and ambtion together to do with Working class girls?
Working class girls are likely to have the same gender-stereotyped aspirations such as marriage and children and expect to go into traditional low paid, women’s work.
What does Dianne raey (2002) say about working class girls?
This reflects the reality of the working class girls class position. Their limited aspirations reflect their limited job opportunities they perceive as being available to them. (from previous point)
What are the 5 internal factors that lead to girls achievement?
Equal opportunities policies Role models Coursework Teacher attention selection and league tables
What is equal opportunities all about?
Feminists believe that boys and girls are equally capable and should have the same opportunities, which is widely accepted for example GIST (girls into science & technology) and; WISE (women into science & engineering) encourage girls to pursue careers in these educational areas.
Also national curriculum being introduced in 1988 means girls and boys do study same subjects e.g. science being compulsory.
What is the result of equal opportunities in school?
As a result of such policies, education is now more meritocratic, meaning girls have more equal opportunity than in the past.
What is the influence of role models all about.
Increase in proportion of female teachers/heads. Women in senior positions provide role models for girls. e.g. there have been and increase in head teachers in secondary school since 1992 and 2012.
How does the influence of role models influence girls achievement?
The presence of more female teachers also ‘feminises’ learning environment and encourages girls to see school as a part of female ‘gender domain’. As a result they come to perceive educational success as desirable feminine characteristic.
What is the impact of coursework all about including 3 sociologist?
Gender gap increased sharply when GSCE was introduced in 1988 because coursework was a large percentage in most subjects – Gorard (2005).
Mitsos and Browne (1998) – girls more successful in coursework because they’re more conscientious, organised and spend more time on their work.
What is an A03 evaluation for the influence in coursework including sociologist?
Elwood (2005) notes that exams have more influence on final grades, so introduction of coursework had only limited effect on gender differences in achievement.
What is teacher attention all about (including sociologists)?
French (1993) – boys receive more attention as they attract more reprimands. And also Swann found that boys dominate class discussions, whereas girls prefer group work and better at listening and cooperating.
Why is the influence of teacher attention likely to raise girls achievement?
Teachers are likely to respond more positively to give and give them more encouragement than boys. This may lead to a SFP because of successful interactions, promoting girls self-esteem Teachers are also likely to have lower expectations of boys.
What is Selection and league tables all about (including sociologist)
Jackson (1998) – exam league tables have improved opportunities for girls. High achieving girls are attractive to schools, low achieving boys are not, they are likely to misbehave and be excluded (4 times as likely to be excluded than girls). Schools see boys as liability students who give poor image and results This creates SFP.
How does selection and league tables lead to girls achievement.
As a result, girls are more likely to get places in successful schools. In turn, girls get a better education and achieve more.
