Educational Underachievement
Across America, in urban and rural settings alike, boys are far more likely than girls to drop out of school. Male performance in many ways lags far behind girls’. What factors are causing this large and growing problem?
Does your school...
- impose harsh discipline against boys more than girls for similar behavior?
- ensure that teachers are aware how boys, often different from girls, “act out” social and emotional problems as their only “manly” form of expression?
- establish a self-fulfilling prophecy with low expectations of boys based on unspoken but deeply held beliefs in the superiority of girls?
- subtly favor girls because of a belief that “now it’s their turn”?
- engage and celebrate males as teachers and lovers of learning?
- provide recess or at least physical movement in class to help boys stay focused and engaged?
- address the reading/writing gap suffered by boys with as much vigor and determination as your school addresses the much smaller math/science gap suffered by girls?
- consider differences in learning styles between boys generally and girls generally?
Through staff training, consultations and guided self-audits, The Center for Men and Boys in Social Policy can help you examine how well your schools welcome and encourage boys to do their best.
