From birth boys and girls are treated differently.  Research has shown that 12th grade girls score significantly lower than boys on the quantitative part of the Scholastic Assessment test (SAT).  Is the reason for the lower scores biological or due to the gender bias in the classroom?  If the answer is gender bias or even if its not, teachers need to make sure males and females recieve equal treatment in the classroom.

1.  Gender Bias Issues. Gender bias is the separation of gender in a way which prefers one sex over the other. Gender bias in technology refers to preference for or favoring of one sex over the other in computer use and/or access, software use and/or manufacturing, and Internet use and content.

2.  Play and Cultural Diversity by Michael Rettig, PhD. Early childhood educators must recognize the importance of play in the lives of young children and make use of play as a means of promoting cultural awareness. Play is a way for young children to learn about the cultural norms and values of a society.

3.  Differences in Math learning and aptitude between boys and girls. Differences in teacher interaction with male and female students in math classrooms. Gender related differences in math ability are apparent from such a young age conflicts.

4.  Education Issues:  Discourse. The socialization pattern of females continues in the school where the "hidden curriculum" that trains white males for public discourse and success is carried out, even if female math underachievement does not become manifest until high school.

5.  Gender messages from the educational system.  Gender bias is especially evident in science and math classes, beginning mainly at the middle school level.  Males receive more attention from teachers in the classroom than girls do.  Gender bias may be defined as the underlying network of assumptions and beliefs held by a person that males and females differ in systematic ways other than physically, that is, in talents, behaviors, or interests.

6. Test your knowledge of  Student diversity with the classroom online quiz related to Chapter 4 of Slavin's book, "Educational Psychology", 6th edition.

Last updated on November 07,2000.