The Boys at the Back

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Christina Hoff Sommers writes an opinion piece for the New York Times, The Boys at the Back, and describes the disparity between boys and girls in the education system, especially boys of color.  Although boys and girls generally score the same on standardized tests, boys generally receive lower grades and have a much lower graduation rate and enrollment in AP classes.  She largely attributes this to behavior, since behavior factors into many classroom grading systems, mine included.  Another poignant point that comes out of this article is the comment that we cannot simply write off restless and unfocused boys by stating that the workforce, or ‘real’ world, does not reward such behavior.  We have to remember that these are children, and not adults.  Furthermore, Sommers reiterates that “improving the performance of black, Latino and lower-income kids require particular attention to boys”.  More attention must be made to satisfying the needs and overcoming the challenges associated with educating urban boys if we really are going to turn Baltimore City schools around.  The achievement gap we so often talk about is not just between income brackets and neighboring counties, it exists right here in our classrooms.   

Now the real question is how is this accomplished? 

What are you currently doing in your classroom s to ensure the gender gap does not widen even more?