Findings reported in the July 25 issue of Science magazine, based on math scores from seven million students in 10 states (recorded in accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act) came to an astounding conclusion: there was no gender gap in the scores.
The study showed that while boys in high school performed better than girls in math 20 years ago, that is no longer the case today. The researchers explained this shift by saying that while girls used to take fewer advanced math courses than boys, but now they are taking just as many.
Researchers looked at the average of the test scores of all students, the performance of the most gifted children and the ability to solve complex math problems. They found, in every category, that girls did as well as boys.
While it may seem like a no-brainer that when boys and girls take the same classes they do just as well in tests, I'm glad to have the study findings made public in such a respected magazine.
According to the lead professor for the study, Janet Hyde of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, "the stereotype that boys do better at math is still held widely by teachers and parents...and teachers and parents guide girls, giving them advice about what courses to take, what careers to pursue. I still hear anecdotes about guidance counselors steering girls away from engineering, telling them they won't be able to do the math."
So I guess we knocked down one wall, but there is still another wall on the horizon.
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Yay! I knew it knew it knew it, but it feels good to see it in print. It's not surprising to me, given that the most brilliant mathematician I know is a woman.
As a math major...you have no idea how happy this makes me :)
In my math classes, the amount of girls and guys is pretty much equal. But, for things that have to do with math outside of class, I've definitely seen more guys. For example, last year, there was a math contest that we could write if we wanted to...I was at MOST one of two girls at the practice sessions, while there were about 6-7 guys there (yea ok...voluntary math contests aren't that popular but whatever).
I've also noticed the difference with the profs. So far in university, I've only had one female math prof. I absolutely hated her (not because she was a woman...but because she was a TERRIBLE teacher). But I've always been amazed by the lack of female math profs. Not just in university...in grade school and high school too. The last female math teacher I had was in grade 5. Since then, they've all been male...and I've taken a LOT of math courses.
I've always wondered how many girls have ventured away from math because of the number of male teachers they've had...they've never really seen women in math so they tend to go away from it. hmmm
I got my degree in Aerospace Engineering and now I am working on the Ares I project (Dream come true). By the end of College there were only 4 other girls in my class. We were consistently in the at the top of our class. I was very active in the Society of Women Engineers where I learned that this is not and uncommon thing (women at the top of engineering classes. The reason given for this is that women who aren't at the top usually quit.
Now I am going to make my little speech. MORE WOMEN NEED TO GO INTO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. Here are some reasons why:
Really awesome scholarships for college.
Paid Internships.
Really good pay after college.
Interesting projects all over the world.
The World needs more Engineers and Scientist
Make the world a better place.
Cure Cancer.
Find alternative energy sources.
PUT A WOMAN ON THE MOON!
When your car breaks down and this guy wanders over to where you are looking under the hood to spew some BS that he thinks will make him sounds smart inform him that you are fine and this is exactly why you got the Mechanical Engineering Degree.
I read this last night, and I wanted to see it up right away, not weeks from now, or via some other blog. Awesome.
"I learned that this is not and uncommon thing (women at the top of engineering classes. The reason given for this is that women who aren't at the top usually quit."
Why does that happen? I have an idea. And it's sad, nonetheless.
Although the study is promising...
The gap still exists within SAT and AP, sorry to burst your bubble.
ah, nevermind.
The new SAT report has been released and coincides with the study.
Still, AP Calculus enrollment favors males.