STEM and Girls in NAEP

From the Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/2012/0627/Girls-in-science-Gender-gaps-still-persist-in-STEM-subjects Worth reading because it links STEM results, Title IX, and briefly single gender classes. The paradox might be that is educators seriously consider gendered gaps,this will result in potential gendered solutions which gets us into differences. And, if we start talking about programs for just girls in STEM, even after school, then these groups are recognizing that something important and unique can happen in a single gender environment.

Girls and Hands On Science Do Better than Boys

See this Ed Week Blog on NAEP breakdown of performance by type of task. Seems girls perform slightly better, though statistically significant, when using manipulatives. Important data, yes. Implications? Reasons why? The use of manipulatives has always been listed as important learning tools, so that is nothing new. But to see that there might be something gender based with results could mean that educators should consider incorporating more manipulatives as needed for understanding. Sure. Could you even go so far as to say that you will have single gender groupings to provide the needed support and use specific strategies to support your students? http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2012/06/although_girls_trail_boys_in.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2

A Gendered Program to Assist Girls in India

A clear gendered need as well as a gendered program to meet the need.
http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2012/05/21/free-bicycles-help-keep-indian-girls-in-school

A New STEM and Girls Study ... stereotypes don't work

An interesting read about how complex the issue of gender really is. You can't just dress something up in pink and think that girls will like it. Quality teaching and connections are key.

Voice of America Editorial about Educating Girls

Takng gender into consideration is important!

Failure and Girls

Targeting failure and risk with girls. Doesn't mention gender differences, but is focused on girls.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16879336

India is focusing on girls

With many issues intertwined, including poverty, India is focusing on the education of girls. Using data and impact with an eye to gender, policy makers and teachers can make a difference.

China and Girls

China is focusing on girls and their dropout rate and lower literacy.  This seems to be clearly a case of cultural influences upon the performance of students.  Which goes to the case that gender differences in achievement across the world is NOT a biologically hardwired issue or even a purely cultural issue.  Both are important.  But only recognizing that gender impacts the performance of boys and girls within a specific time and place will we all begin moving forward.  
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-08/08/c_131036642.htm

Science and Girls

Making science more "girl" friendly.  Some may say stereotyping, but from the article:  But wrapping scientific subjects — at least initially — around female-friendly topics could kindle interest in scientific fields under-populated by women, Kerger says.
We have to consider the impact that gender plays.
http://www.miller-mccune.com/education/making-science-girl-friendly-pays-gender-dividends-33777/

Girls and Science

Take a look at the impressive results fromt eh Google Science Fair.  Interesting that they highlight the fact that "girls dominated."

Funding: ending girls and math ... maybe looking at boys and reading?

An Education Week (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2011/05/house_calls_for_eliminating_mo.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS1)post caught my eye:
Forty-three education programs would be scrapped under a bill introduced today by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Education and the Workforce subcommittee that oversees K-12 policy. Looking at the summary (http://edworkforce.house.gov/UploadedFiles/SUMMARY_-_Setting_New_Priorities_in_Education_Spending_Act.pdf) I found this from the Education and Workforce Committee:
• Women’s Educational Equity: The Women’s Educational Equity program promotes education equity for women and girls. The program received $1.8 million in FY 2008 and $2.4 million in both FY 2009 and 2010. Funding for the program was eliminated in the final FY 2011 budget agreement and the president’s FY 2012 budget request. Research has shown this program is no longer necessary; a March 17, 2010 article in Education Week noted the traditional achievement gap between boys and girls in math has closed, with the "percentages of both genders scoring ‘proficient’ or higher [being] roughly the same." On the other hand, that same article observes that "male students in every state where data were available lag behind females in reading."