Differences in Math Learning and Aptitude Between Boys and Girls

Differences in Math Learning and Aptitude Between Boys and Girls

The topic of my research has been differences in math learning and aptitude

between boys and girls. This topic was suggested to me by my mentor, Mike

Millo, as it is of particular interest to him. Mr. Millo is an Algebra teacher at Ball

High. Much has been made of gender differences in math by the popular media

and Mr. Millo felt that it would be interesting to examine this topic and explore the

findings of educational researchers. I also found this topic personally intriguing

as I am currently reading the book, Failing At Fairness: How Our Schools Cheat

Girls, by Myra and David Sadker (1994), which explores gender bias in all area of

education.

In researching this topic I found many related research articles and extensive

articles where relevant variables had been measured. I tried to focus on highly

relevant articles, which examined specifically the different abilities of males and

females in math or sought explanations for those differences.

With one exception, the studies I reviewed supported that there are differences in

math related achievement between males and females. Two of thr articles I

reviewed focus on the differences in teacher interaction with male and female

students in math class rooms.

The Structure of Abilities in Math-Precocious Young Children: Gender

Similarities and Differences by: Nancy Orbinson, Robert D. Abbott, Virginia W.

Berninger, and Julie Busse (1996), the following research questions were

explored:

1. Can young children who are advanced in mathematical reasoning be located

efficiently by soliciting parent nominations?

2. Do measures of these children's cognitive abilitie...

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...Leder, G. (1990). Teacher/student interactions in the mathematics classroom:

A different perspective. From Fenema, E. & Leder, G. (Eds.). Mathematics and

Gender: Influences on Teachers and Students. New York, Teachers College.

Orbinson, N., Abbott, R., Berninger, V., & Busse, J. (1996). The structure of

abilities in math precocious young children: Gender similarities and differences.

Journal of Educational Psychology, 88, 341-352.

Perry, W. (1996). Gender based education: Why it works at the middle

school level. Bulletin, 80, 32-35.

Sadker, M & Sadker, D. (1994). Failing at Fairness: How Our Schools Cheat

Girls. New York: Touchstone.

Updergraff, K., McHale, S., & Crouter, A. (1996). Gender roles in marriage:

What do they mean for boys' and girls' school achievement?. Journal of Youth

and Adolescence, 25, 73-89.