Girls are Just as Good at Math
A new study proves that girls’ scores on national math test scores equal those of boys, in every category.
By Anastacia Mott Austin
It’s official: Anything boys can do, girls can do…..at least as well.
That old stereotype of boys just being better at math has been dispelled by a new study, published in this week’s edition of Science magazine.
A team of researchers looked at seven million national math test scores across the country for kids in grades 2-11, and found that in the areas of average scores, scores among gifted students, and those involving complex problem-solving skills, girls and boys scored the same.
Marcia C. Linn, co-author of the study and a professor of education at the University of California, Berkeley, told reporters, "Now that enrollment in advanced math courses is equalized, we don’t see gender differences in test performance," adding, "But people are surprised by these findings, which suggests to me that the stereotypes are still there."
Indeed, these are stereotypes that are hard to dispel, especially since 20 years ago, boys did score better at math tests.
The reason for that, say the study’s authors, is that boys were more encouraged to take advanced math classes than girls, and to pursue careers that required high-level math skills.
The job disparity still exists, with more men in "mathy" professions than women, but experts say as more girls and young women continue to seek out the training that such jobs require, this will equalize as well.
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation, and the researchers wanted to find out if the stereotypes were true, and if not, help dispel them.
"The stereotype that boys do better at math is still held widely by teachers and parents," said Dr. Janet Hyde, another co-author of the study, to reporters. "And teachers and parents guide girls, giving them advice about what courses to take, what careers to pursue. I still hear anecdotes about guidance counselors steering girls away from engineering, telling them they won’t be able to do the math."
But with the results of the study now published, maybe this will change.
Dr. Linn agrees, saying "Today, we do know that women can do math."
It’s official: Anything boys can do, girls can do…..at least as well.
That old stereotype of boys just being better at math has been dispelled by a new study, published in this week’s edition of Science magazine.
A team of researchers looked at seven million national math test scores across the country for kids in grades 2-11, and found that in the areas of average scores, scores among gifted students, and those involving complex problem-solving skills, girls and boys scored the same.
Marcia C. Linn, co-author of the study and a professor of education at the University of California, Berkeley, told reporters, "Now that enrollment in advanced math courses is equalized, we don’t see gender differences in test performance," adding, "But people are surprised by these findings, which suggests to me that the stereotypes are still there."
Indeed, these are stereotypes that are hard to dispel, especially since 20 years ago, boys did score better at math tests.
The reason for that, say the study’s authors, is that boys were more encouraged to take advanced math classes than girls, and to pursue careers that required high-level math skills.
The job disparity still exists, with more men in "mathy" professions than women, but experts say as more girls and young women continue to seek out the training that such jobs require, this will equalize as well.
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation, and the researchers wanted to find out if the stereotypes were true, and if not, help dispel them.
"The stereotype that boys do better at math is still held widely by teachers and parents," said Dr. Janet Hyde, another co-author of the study, to reporters. "And teachers and parents guide girls, giving them advice about what courses to take, what careers to pursue. I still hear anecdotes about guidance counselors steering girls away from engineering, telling them they won’t be able to do the math."
But with the results of the study now published, maybe this will change.
Dr. Linn agrees, saying "Today, we do know that women can do math."
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- US, ‘Ethiopia’, Sidamas, Kinijit Amharas, and the Mathewos Korsisa Tragedy
- Ms. Mathers
- Do the Moral Maths: Bush's War on Terror Doesn't Add Up
- Harrison Ford and Wife Melissa Mathison, call it Quits-Again
- Eminem (Marshall Mathers) to Test New Image with Elton John
- End of Differences for ARS, and Bright Perspectives for Somalia
- An Incredible Juncture in 'Iraq': the Zarqawi menace
- Video Shows Execution of Helicopter Crash Survivor
- Why the Un Needs International Rescue
- We Now Need the Inspiration Only Politicians Can Give