Tackling Gender Underachievement in Literacy and Numeracy

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Introduction

In recent years there has been much research into gender learning

issues and the apparent learning disparity between boys and girls.

Such research has included investigations into boys' underachievement

in literacy and girls' underachievement in mathematics. The aim of

such research is to recognise key reasons why such trends are

occurring and perhaps more importantly, to address these within the

classroom.

Since the introduction of the National Curriculum, national testing

and assessment has provided a comprehensive account of attainment at

all key stages, especially in the key areas of numeracy, literacy and

science. However, such results should not be used exclusively when

discussing gender learning difference. It is also important to

consider the role of gender stereotyping, attitude and classroom

behaviour, and consider how these affect the learning process.

In this essay I will discuss the key issues and the reasons behind

this underachievement, the ways these can be addressed at school level

and the impact these have within the classroom.

Boys and Literacy

It is a common belief that historically girls perform better in

English than boys. Past and present research support this theory as

the table below illustrates.

In the 1998 OfSTED (Office for Standards in Education) Report Recent

Research on Gender and Educational Performance the figures showed that

at Key Stage 1 girls were already outperforming boys in reading with

83% of girls at the expected level and only 73% of boys (OfSTED,

1998). More recent research indicates that this trend still holds true

in Key Stage 2, the OfSTED Report The National Literacy and Numeracy

Strategies and the Primary Curriculum states that th...

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..., Scott, D. & Soler, J. (2001) Knowledge,

Power and Learning. London: Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd.

West-Burnham, J. (1997) Managing Quality in Schools. London: Pitman

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Wragg, E.C., Wragg, C.M., Haynes, G.S. & Chamberlin, R.P. (1998)

Improving Literacy in the Primary School. London: Routledge.

- Journals

Literacy and Learning September/October 2001

Teaching and Learning April/May 2003

- Government Documents

Office for Standards in Education (2003) The National Literacy and

Numeracy Strategies and the Primary School.

Office for Standards in Education (2002) St Margaret's Churchof

England Junior School Panda Report.

Office for Standards in Education (1998) Recent Research on Gender and

Educational Performance.

Office for Standards in Education (2001/02) Standards and Quality in

Education.

- Websites

www.dfes.gov.uk

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