One of the key issues raised a number of times on this site (1, 2, 3 and see Education link) is how the end of examination based O-levels in the late 80's and the move to a coursework based system (GCSEs) completely changed the attainment success of the genders.
Now far fewer boys go to university than girls and the latest results show boys education is five years behind that of girls and they are simply struggling.
The 2008 GCSE results published yesterday (Table 2) how how acute the problem is.
Girls continue to outperform boys, particularly at the higher grades (A*-C); 69.9 per cent of girls achieved five or more grades A*-C compared to 60.9 per cent of boys (the same approximate figure for girls was in 2003/04 - five years ago). The gap was 10% in 2004/05 so in three years, it has closed by just 1%.
For five GCSE's or more including English and Maths, the percentages are 52.3% for girls and 43.2% for boys.
The argument consistently made is that because boys and girls are different, the one-size-fits-all education system is producing gender winners (girls) and gender losers (boys).
As outlined in Dr Leonard Sax's book (link) boys need the competition and pressure of exams (0-levels) whilst girls are better at sustained work which comes with coursework (GCSE). Other issues include, of course, the falling number of male teachers in schools who provide sound role models and discipline. There should be a choice of examination systems so that boys can take O-levels and girls GSCEs (of course,if girls wish to take O-levels then fine)
In addition, there is growing evidence that all-boys schools can help and this article (Telegraph) about Lawrence Sheriff School shows what can be done to help boys reach high attainment levels.
The Conservatives have also mooted removing coursework (link) from GCSEs but that is more to do with stopping cheating but a by-product would be that it would help boys.
All together though, yesterday's results has meant that another cohort of boys has under-performed because the education system in the UK is biased against them and does not meet their needs.
Interesting that Lawrence Sheriff allows pupils to sit AS levels alongside GSCE's. Perhaps suggests that many boys are turned off GSCE's because they're too easy?
Posted by: Simon S | Saturday, 17 January 2009 at 10:09
The hypocricy and hate of all feminists is shown when they complain about the non-existent "wage gap" yet don't mention at all the "education gap" against men, which is ever growing.
Posted by: FLOYDIANWORLD | Tuesday, 27 January 2009 at 19:29
Please explain what is meant by "feminist education system"? Did a feminist write every teaching method used in schools today or is it just the curriculum that is "feminist"?
I am a male teacher and do not have a clue what this term refers to although am very aware of the difference between the grades of boys and girls at 11 - 16.
Posted by: Mr Jacks | Thursday, 19 February 2009 at 18:41
Looks a nice post which having lots of information for blog readers.
Posted by: Research Methodology | Tuesday, 05 January 2010 at 15:31
this is another pathetic attempt to undermine female achievement. why not think about the equality of education that did not come in until 1975, when girls were allowed to study all subjects, yes seems about right does not that they started to achieve by the late 80's/90's! and for your information boys are not underachieving, girls are just excelling in education, which would not be a surprise really would it, after all they are socialised to take on menial tasks that require more sustainment. the only answer to your problem is to socialise all babys the same from birth!
Posted by: sandra jones | Tuesday, 22 March 2011 at 16:05