Gender Achievement Gap of High School Students in the United States

Gender Achievement Gap

of High School Students

in the United States

A report analysing the current gender achievement gap and recommendations for future education

Student name : Bach Ngoc Lan Anh

Contents

1. Abstract 4

2. Introduction 5

2.1 An overview of gender achievement gap 5

2.2 Current gender achievement gap in U.S. high school students 5

3. Purpose 6

4. Findings 7

4.1 Differences in learning patterns 7

4.2 Differences in learning attitudes 8

4.3 Family determinants 9

4.4 School determinants 9

5. Conclusion 10

6. Recommendations 10

6.1 Short-term recommendations 10

6.2 Long-term recommendations 11

7. References 12

1. Abstract

Gender gap in education has become an issue of global concern. The current situation in the United States high schools stems from an inequality in academic achievement between genders.

Several specific reasons causing the gap are analysed in this report. Firstly, differences in learning patterns between males and females, such as concentration ability and the development verbal ability, contribute to the gap. Secondly, the attitude of each gender towards education is mentioned as one of the main causes. Particularly, boys not only disregard schools but also have lower determination to complete the program. Thirdly, family early education also results in underperforming boys. Last but not least, other academic environment factors, such as teacher partiality and peer impact, make a profound influence on the gender achievement gap.

Further recommendations are suggested, calling for responsibility of the Ministry of Education, such as establishing single-sex schools, opening classes to develop language skills for school boys. On the other hand, early education from parents and appropriate teaching methods of in-class teachers will also improve the situation.

2. Introduction

2.1 An overview of gender achievement gap

After centuries of boys’...