Gender Equity in Math and Science Essay -- Essays Papers

Gender Equity in Math and Science From the research I have read while there is a disagreement on when and how much of a gender gap exists in math and science, there is definitely an integrity issue that needs addressing. There seems to be an abundance of information about equity issues and as a future teacher I tincture that it is important to examine these issues. If gender equity issues exist in todays classrooms why do they and what can be done to help correct it. Everything Ive read so far states that a gender gap exists in science, while opinions about math vary. I found a paper on the Internet from the matter Center for Education Statistics called Trends In Educational Equity of Girls & Women. Using information from NAEP this source states that between 1973 and 1994 academic achievement of females in math was about qualified to males (NCES, 2000). The NCES report states that females and males take similarly challenging academic courses (2000). Baker (2001) however writes that research shows that there is a slight female superiority in wide-eyed school and middle school and a moderate male superiority in high school in math and science. Baker (2001) researched gender equity in gifted elementary students in grades 4 and 6. After his study he concluded that gender had a significant effect on the writ of execution of high performing students in grades 4 and 6 (Baker, p.134). Baker reported a slight female superiority in relation to performance in the area of math computation which is consistent with other studies he has read, but Baker found that males were superior in the understanding of math concepts and applications which is inconsistent with precedent findings (2001). From reading our textbook the... .... Science Education, 84, 180-192. Kahle, J., and Lakes, M. (1983). The Myth of Equality in Science Classrooms. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20, 131-140. National Center for Education Statistics . (2000). Trends in Educational Equity of Girls & Women. Retrieved March 16, 2001 on the World Wide Web http//nces.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pud=2000030. Sadker, M., Sadker, D., and Stulberg, M. (1993, March). Fair and Square? Creating a Nonsexist Classroom. Instructor, 44-46, 67-68. Sanders, J. (1997). Teacher Education and Gender Equity. (Eric scroll No. ED408277). World Wide Web http//ericir.syr.edu/plweb-cgi/obtain.pl. Retrieved March 16, 2001. Reys, R., Lindquist, M. Lambdin, D., Smith, N., and Suydam, M. (2001). Helping Children Learn Mathematics. New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc.