Column One: Students

Following up on its high-profile February report on how sex discrimination in grades K-12 shortchanges girls, the American Association of University Women has released two handbooks to guide teachers, parents, and school officials to more gender-fair practices.

The eight-page "The A.A.U.W. Report: How Schools Shortchange Girls Action Guide'' presents strategies for "systemic change'' in districts, including placing more women in educational-policymaking positions, selecting textbooks that do not stereotype women and girls, involving local businesses in encouraging girls to pursue mathematics and science, and fostering policies to address sexual harassment.

The "Gender Equity Assessment Guide'' provides advice and evaluation sheets for determining the status of women and girls within a school or district and...