According to a recent report, girls outperform boys regarding reading scores in elementary schools. Girls have been beating boys in reading since 2011, but the gap has widened recently. For example, in the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), girls outperformed boys by 11 points in fourth and seventh grades.
Experts say there are several reasons for this trend. One reason is that girls are more likely to read for pleasure than boys. Boys are more likely than girls to read-only if they have to do it for school or work. Another reason is that teachers may be giving girls more attention because they assume girls are not as good at math and science. The good news is that educators are taking notice of the gender gap and trying to close it.
Girls Are Boosting Boys Reading Scores
How are girls outperforming boys in reading scores?
It’s no secret that girls have outperformed boys in reading scores for years now. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in the 2013-2014 school year, girls outperformed boys in all three grades assessed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – fourth, eighth, and twelfth grades. The gap was most prominent in eighth grade, with girls outperforming boys by an average of 12 points. In twelfth grade, the difference was six points.
There are many possible explanations for this disparity. One is that girls are simply more motivated to do well in school than boys. Another possibility is that teachers may be biased towards girls and give them more attention and support than they do boys.
The Gender Gap: A Look at the Numbers
The gender gap between boys and girls regarding reading scores is slowly narrowing. However, there is still a noticeable difference between the two genders. Boys have been outperforming girls in reading for many years, but girls have recently closed the gap. In fact, according to The Nation’s Report Card, in 2017, the most recent year that data is available, girls’ average reading score was higher than boys’ by four points. This is the first time since testing began in 1971 that girls have outperformed boys.
There are many explanations for why this shift has occurred. Some experts say that boys are no longer the dominant gender in education. Girls now have more female role models in high-level positions than ever before, translating into better performance in school.
Girls are Outperforming Boys in Nearly All Subjects
When it comes to reading, girls outperform boys in nearly all subjects. According to a study released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), this is also known as The Nation’s Report Card. In 4th grade, girls outperformed boys in both reading and math. In 8th grade, girls outperformed boys in reading, math, and science. However, boys only beat girls in writing in grades 4 and 8.
These results are not surprising to many educators who work with students daily. They say that girls are more likely to be raised with the expectation that they will do well in school. “I’ve been an educator for 30 years, and I’ve seen this trend for quite some time,” said Peggy Carr, acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
What is causing the gender gap?
There are many different explanations for why girls outperform boys in reading scores. One theory is that girls are more intrinsically motivated to read and do well in school than boys are. In addition, a study by the National Institutes of Health found that girls have higher levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and motivation. This may help explain why girls enjoy reading more and are more likely to engage in activities that improve their academic performance.
Another explanation is that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD or other behavioural disorders, impacting their ability to focus in school and perform well academically. Boys are also more likely to be exposed to violence and lead dangerous lives, leading to lower academic achievement. Girls’ higher reading scores may also be because they are generally better students.
Closing the Gap
There is a gender gap in reading scores, with girls outperforming boys nationally. This has been the case for many years, and there is still a significant difference between the reading skills of boys and girls in grades K-12. While some people argue that this gap is due to innate differences between the sexes, research suggests that the gap is more likely due to cultural influences and environmental factors.
So what can be done to help close the gender gap in reading scores? One approach is to provide more opportunities for girls to get involved in activities that promote literacy, such as reading clubs or book groups. Girls also need more exposure to positive female role models passionate about reading. In addition, schools can help by creating a culture that values literacy and by providing teachers with professional development opportunities that focus on strategies for teaching boys and girls effectively.
Recap
Girls have outperformed boys in reading for many years, but a new study suggests that boys may be catching up. In the most extensive study, researchers analyzed the results of standardized reading tests taken by more than 1.6 million students in Grades 3 through 8 in the U.S. Although girls outperformed boys overall, the gap between the sexes has narrowed in recent years.
The study’s authors say the findings could be due to several factors, including changes in teaching methods and more emphasis on reading comprehension in schools. They also suggest that boys may be benefiting from growing societal acceptance of “masculine” traits such as being solid readers. Whatever the reasons, the study’s authors say the findings are good news for both sexes.
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