In the news: Boys struggle with school

Just over a decade ago, the “gender gap in education” discussion emphasized helping lagging girls to achieve, but recently the focus has shifted to the struggle of failing boys. The January 30th Newsweek cover story on this topic, “The Trouble with Boys” by Peg Tyre, has not yet hit newsstands but is already creating a buzz with bloggers (see recent comments on the article here).

The Newsweek article indicates that “boys across the nation and in every demographic group are falling behind.” Tyre notes that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with a learning disability and twice as likely to be placed in special education in elementary school. Boys are reportedly receiving lower scores than girls on standardized tests in high school, and they now make up only 44 percent of undergraduate enrollment compared to 58 percent thirty years ago. What is causing boys to lose ground in the schools and what can be done to address the problem?

Many possible causes have been proposed. The Newsweek cover story points to changes in the educational system over the past two decades that include a rigid and verbal-rich curriculum aimed at preparing students for new information-based careers. Despite the good intentions of administrators, these changes may underscore the limitations of the “boy brain” and create less freedom for teachers to individualize instruction. In an article published last week by The New Republic, Richard Whitmire writes, “It's not that schools have changed their ways to favor girls; it's that they haven't changed their ways to help boys adjust to this new world.”

Attempting to identify possible solutions for the situation, Tyre suggests that fast-moving, active lessons, separating the genders for some classes, and male role models may help boys to regain some of their educational losses. Whitmire emphasizes the importance of literary skills and specifies ways that boys might be enticed into reading more often (e.g., making comic books available in the classroom and observing their fathers reading at home).

The Newsweek package also covers biological gender differences and how they play out ("Very well-meaning people," says Dr. Bruce Perry, a Houston neurologist who advocates for troubled kids, "have created a biologically disrespectful model of education"); the transition to middle school; male role models; and what girls can teach us about boys.

Now it’s your turn to chime in on the discussion. Do you think that the current gender gap in education is one that will touch your life? Have you already witnessed some of this in your own family? Please share with us your thoughts on what should be done to address boy’s struggles with school.

Comments

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[Dereck]

I think that boys and girls are concentrated on different things nowadays. Girls are more accurate than boys and I think more mature.

[Peyton]

I grew up hearing about the gender-gap in education - but in the reverse. I heard that girls weren't called on as frequently in the classroom, that teachers preferred to hear from boys, that girls were less likely to go to college and graduate school. Girls have come a long way in school even since I was little. And while it appears (and I haven't read the Newsweek article) that boys are "falling behind", could it simply be that girls have caught up and passed the boys? Shouldn't we be celebrating the success of women in education, leadership roles, and professional occupations? While there may be more than can be done for boys (I have long been a proponent of single-gender education, as a graduate of a women's college myself), I don't think we should diminish the accomplishments of girls, either.

[Alina Adams]

Actually, this issue is exactly why my 6 year old son is enrolled in an all boy's school which stresses a verbal, literature based curriculum, with male teachers for role models. I wasn't too keen on a single sex education, but my husband, who taught at an all-boy school eventually brought me around. His observation is that, in a classroom setting, girls are easier to deal with than boys... and so that's what teachers want to do: turn little boys into little girls, and punish them when they rebel.

[LauriJon]

On the toddler front, I've noticed that Maricella and her girl friends are much more verbal than her boy friends even at age two. And the girls are already beginning to participate in pretend play, where the boys are more fascinated with trains, cars, and building blocks. (Although Maricella loves trains, cars and blocks too!)

[Jacquelyne Cox]

Regarding the Newsweek article,a common thread of these discussions is that boys tend to have more difficulty with language and communication skills, and these skills are increasingly required in the classroom and society at large. What's more, the visibility of socially disconnected boys has grown steadily over the last century because there are far fewer nonverbal, asocial lifestyle and voactional options. In this century, you son is statistically unlikely to grow up and work the land or be a lonesome cowboy!

Simply put, language is the basis of learning in school, and few vocational options remain that don't rely heavily on social perception and communication. Despite some of the pessimistic stats, there's no question that we can help boys to communicate and connect, and give them the tools they need to be strong in all areas of life. School is a child's most significant " community, " so doing well in school means more than keeping up academically - it means learning to shine as a friend, and hopefully as a leader as well.

Old ideas of leadership were very hierarchical - being a leader was destiny - which was code for living a life of privilege. Today, we can allow for a more multidimensional idea of leadership. Each of us has the capability to lead somewhere. Some boys may stand out in science class, others on the football foeld, and yet others in student government. Yes, we have a crisis in boys' development, but let's not give way to doom and gloom! There is so very much we can do - and we can begin doing it today. Our kids are our life's greatest masterpiece and they deserve all the energy and wisdom we can summon to make them great!

Please consider checking out:
Boys of Few Words: Raising Our Sons to Communicate and Connect
Adam Cox, PhD
(Guilford 2006)

www.dradamcox.com