Education & gender acing the essay! The question we are working towards “Outline and assess the view that gender has a significant impact on achievement” 20 marks What are the key words in this question? What is it asking you to do?

Essay Plan Intro...what is the general pattern in educational achievement? Girls generally do better because... Inside school factors Outside school factors Boys don’t do as well because... But boys are getting better because... Conclusion...

Intro Girls generally achieve higher than boys in all subjects. But… Both girls and boys are doing better. Over the last 50 years boys’ grades have steadily improved. Coffey - this hardly justifies labeling all boys as underachievers. Only some boys are failing. There is a close link between boys underachievement and social class.

Generally girls do better because... Inside school factors National curriculum – girls study same subjects as boys Teacher expectations – labelling – self fulfilling prophecy Single sex schooling – girls do better Coursework – girls do better at this Government initiatives – WISE, GIST, etc

Generally girls do better because... Outside school factors Leisure time - girls spend time talking & reading which helps language Job market – increasing job opportunities for women Girls’ priorities have changed (career first rather than marriage & children) Law – Equal Pay Act, etc

Boys don’t do as well... Inside school factors Teacher expectations – labelling – self fulfilling prophecy Boys expected to be livelier Harris: Coursework – boys find it more difficult to organise their time Teaching has become feminised – lack of male role models Peer Pressure – negative subculture

Boys don’t do as well... Outside school factors Negative sub culture from peers Katz: Decline in traditional male jobs – uncertain about future

Conclusion Hiding girls’ failure… Plummer - a high proportion of working class girls are failing in the school system. Not just gender- important to note the influence of class and ethnicity.

Red Amber Green How Your Work Will Be Assessed R Reflection T Target Codes for Assessment What this means Red I did not really understand the lesson today. I don’t really think that I met the objectives of the lesson or completed the question for learning. Amber I understood some of the lesson today but there were parts of the learning that I did not really understand and I need help on. Green I understood the question for learning to day and feel confident about what I have been taught. I believe that I learnt everything I needed to in the lesson R Reflection You should write at least two sentences replying to the QfL and explaining what you did and didn’t understand about today’s lesson or learning intention. T Target You should set yourself targets based on the QfL and what you are trying to learn. These should only be about your learning.