Middle School Females in Math
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- Date Submitted: 04/20/2013 04:52 PM
- Pages: 7
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Middle School Females in Math
Chapter 1
Introduction
Does the separation of boys and girls in the classroom make a difference? According to the National Association for Single Sex Public Education (NASSPE), “the single-sex classroom creates more opportunities than the coed classroom. The NASSPE also suggest that in the all-boys or all-girls classroom teachers can utilize strategies that would otherwise not work in the coed classroom” ("Coed or Single Sex Education: What's the Difference?," 2012).
In the article “Shedding Some New Light on Old Truths: Student Attitudes to School in Terms of Year Level and Gender,” it is said that middle and high school girls have positive attitudes towards school but negative attitudes towards mathematics.” Throughout the years, girls have continued to make positive strides to be as good as boys in these subjects, yet they still fall short. Society has been putting females and males in the same classroom for years thinking that everyone, males and females, can learn the same exact way.
As I continue to research, I am finding that single-gender classes are better for girls and, therefore, should be encouraged. Single-gender classes eliminate gender bias and are proving to give girls both academic and personal benefits. “Some researchers have found that girls develop more leadership skills and self-confidence in single-sex schools, where they do not have to compete with boys who tend to dominate in leadership roles” (Sleeter & Grant, 2007, p. 54).
Statement of the Problem
I believe that because of gender bias, girls are shortchanged when it comes to learning mathematics in the co-educational classroom. “In general, girls are less confident in their math abilities and show less interest in math and science careers, beginning in early adolescence” (Anderson, 2007, “Encouraging Girls in Math and Science,” para 3). According to the National Education...
Chapter 1
Introduction
Does the separation of boys and girls in the classroom make a difference? According to the National Association for Single Sex Public Education (NASSPE), “the single-sex classroom creates more opportunities than the coed classroom. The NASSPE also suggest that in the all-boys or all-girls classroom teachers can utilize strategies that would otherwise not work in the coed classroom” ("Coed or Single Sex Education: What's the Difference?," 2012).
In the article “Shedding Some New Light on Old Truths: Student Attitudes to School in Terms of Year Level and Gender,” it is said that middle and high school girls have positive attitudes towards school but negative attitudes towards mathematics.” Throughout the years, girls have continued to make positive strides to be as good as boys in these subjects, yet they still fall short. Society has been putting females and males in the same classroom for years thinking that everyone, males and females, can learn the same exact way.
As I continue to research, I am finding that single-gender classes are better for girls and, therefore, should be encouraged. Single-gender classes eliminate gender bias and are proving to give girls both academic and personal benefits. “Some researchers have found that girls develop more leadership skills and self-confidence in single-sex schools, where they do not have to compete with boys who tend to dominate in leadership roles” (Sleeter & Grant, 2007, p. 54).
Statement of the Problem
I believe that because of gender bias, girls are shortchanged when it comes to learning mathematics in the co-educational classroom. “In general, girls are less confident in their math abilities and show less interest in math and science careers, beginning in early adolescence” (Anderson, 2007, “Encouraging Girls in Math and Science,” para 3). According to the National Education...