Something Needs to be Done to Help Boys Perform Better
Academically
During the last 30 years, it has become increasingly
apparent that boys are falling behind girls academically.
This occurs nationwide and at virtually every level of
education. And the gap is growing wider.
One solution that has been a God-send for many
boys is the resurgence of all-boys schools.
Perhaps the most significant reason for the gap in academic
performance between boys and girls is the fact that girls mature more
quickly than boys. While there are of course exceptions, it is generally
speaking true that during the pre-and early teens, girls will on average be as
much as 2 years “older” than boys in many or even most respects.
This is not only true physically, but also mentally and
emotionally.
And nowhere is this more noticeable than at school.
The most important factors at work appear to be:
- Boys
are intimidated by the more mature girls
- Being
less mature, boys’ mental faculties are not as developed
- Whereas
girls can sit quietly and focus in class, as a rule, boys cannot
- Boys, therefore, tend to be more disruptive, which impacts learning
- Academics
at the younger ages tend to focus on subjects girls like but boys hate
- Language
arts and reading are easier for girls at the younger ages
- Boys often become discouraged and lose interest in academics
Vive la difference
The physical differences between boys and girls are of course
obvious, but it is clear there are also profound mental and emotional
differences as well.
Much has been written recently about the gender differences.
(One such author is LeonardSax, an MD and PhD who has written “Why Gender Matters” and “Boys Adrift,” books
that discuss these issues in great depth.)
Scientific studies confirm that there are significant
differences between the brains of males and females.
Some even suggest that boys and girls “see and hear”
differently.
For example:
- Boys
eyes are drawn to movement, so better if the teacher moves around
- Girls
are comfortable with teachers who remain in one place during lesson
- Boys
prefer “cold” colors like blues and grays
- Girls
prefer “warm” colors like reds and yellows
- Boys
like the inanimate while girls prefer faces
- Girls
hear higher frequencies than boys and so are more sensitive to sounds
- Boys
are therefore less likely to be intimidated if a teacher raises his
voice
The Resurgence of Same-sex Schooling
One of the offshoots of this new-found knowledge is the
resurgence of same-sex schools. And this brings up the question: do boys learn
better in an all-boys school?
The answer appears to be a resounding YES.
Here are some of the benefits of single-sex education
for boys:
- An
increase in academic performance.
- Teachers
can spend extra time with topics boys may struggle with
- Removal
of the distraction of coed social pressures
- Easier
for boys to concentrate, understand and learn their daily lessons
- Freedom
to branch out and try new things without feeling the need to impress the
girls
- Increased
confidence because able to explore and discover their interests and
abilities more freely
- Boys
become more collaborative when freed from the worry of girls’ opinions of them
- Lowers
the need for gender stereotypes in the classroom
- A
decrease in discipline problems
Conclusion
On balance, it is clear that the advantages of same-sex
schooling far outweigh any suppose drawbacks, and this is especially true
for boys today.
With the academic performance gap between girls and boys widening, some would even say reaching crisis proportions, it has become all the more how important to put boys in an academic environment where they too can learn, where they too “love” to go to school.
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