Helping Girls Succeed

By Meg Milne Moulton and Whitney Ransome

The recent introduction in Congress of initiatives to remedy gender inequities in the schools is an appropriate call to action. It confirms that the gender gap, which S.A.T. and A.C.T. scores have been reflecting, must be rectified. As we approach a new century in which it is projected that women and minorities will make up the majority of the workforce, our country can ill afford any lack of preparation in the critical fields of mathematics and science. Women and minorities have long been discouraged from pursuing these disciplines. Recent American College Testing Program scores, in which the gender gap between male and female students remains, demonstrate that this situation is not changing. (See Education Week, Sept. 22, 1993.)

While legislative action will help greatly, teachers and parents can themselves improve classroom learning. Certain new teaching stategies are key to improving learning for all students, regardless...