Equity & Diversity Blog

Why Boys Fail

This blog was written by Richard Whitmire, a former editorial writer at USA Today and past board president of the National Education Writers Association, and a frequent opinion commentator on national education issues. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: boys.

School Choice & Charters Opinion Men and Women -- Still Different
That's the rough headline of a long-ago-published USA Today article that triggered much derision. That theme, boys and girls are different, as in, they learn in different ways, is the topic of a series of articles in The Tennessean.
Richard Whitmire, July 12, 2011
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Education Funding Opinion Theories on the Lack of a 'Sherecovery'
First, as this Slate article points out, women have fared far better than men in the Great Recession. The gender difference favoring men has unfolded in the tepid recovery, where more men than women have found jobs. Is the answer as simple as more construction jobs returning? Doubtful. Some interesting theories aired here.
Richard Whitmire, July 12, 2011
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Opinion Update on the Career Education Cutbacks
This issue matters a lot to those (mostly men) trying to cope with a rapidly changing workforce.
Richard Whitmire, July 12, 2011
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1 min read
School Choice & Charters Opinion British Educators Explain Why Boys Fail
The decline of single-sex schools leaves boy exposed to a feminized curriculum and a paucity of male teachers, says the head of the City of London School.
Richard Whitmire, July 11, 2011
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College & Workforce Readiness Opinion Vocational Schools Losing Funding
That means problems for boys who have found that to be their best option.
Richard Whitmire, July 10, 2011
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School Choice & Charters Opinion Rising Popularity of Single-Sex Schools
Not just for the rich and religious -- also for floundering boys.
Richard Whitmire, July 10, 2011
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Teaching Profession Opinion Paucity of Male Teachers in U.K.
The figures wouldn't look any different in this country.
Richard Whitmire, July 9, 2011
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Equity & Diversity Opinion Ecologist Explains the Middle School Puzzle
As in, why are middle schools so much more mature than middle school boys (physically, not just socially)?
Richard Whitmire, July 7, 2011
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1 min read
Education Funding Opinion Interesting Employment Shift Among Men
What's new in this front page Washington Post story isn't that hiring is picking up faster for men. That's been clear for months. What's new is the anecdotal evidence of men beginning to apply for positions traditionally held by women. If the recent "mancession" truly has proven capable of influencing behavior by men, will we now see an uptick in the percentage of men earning college degrees?
Richard Whitmire, July 7, 2011
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1 min read
School Choice & Charters Opinion Boys First?
A commentary out of Kansas City arguing that while single sex schools might be helpful for girls, the boys need to go first.
Richard Whitmire, July 4, 2011
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Federal Opinion If Only the Feds Took Academic Gaps as Seriously
Tiny gender gaps in athletic participation can trigger lawsuits. Huge gender gaps in academic outcomes can pass unnoticed.
Richard Whitmire, July 2, 2011
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Equity & Diversity Opinion Website Resource on Black Boys
From ETS, a spinoff from their recent report and conference.
Richard Whitmire, July 1, 2011
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Special Education Opinion Employment Possibilities for Some Autistic Boys
Most are boys, of course. Interesting option for those with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism.
Richard Whitmire, July 1, 2011
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Reading & Literacy Opinion Boys Read ... Well, Some Do
An interview with John Martin, founder of Boys Read.
Richard Whitmire, June 30, 2011
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