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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: boys.

Education Opinion Research Assistance Needed (from your blogger)
I'm looking for examples of boys who lost interest in schoolwork -- but then became re-engaged through some kind of intervention. I'm open to different ages, race/ethnicity/type of intervention.
Richard Whitmire, April 4, 2011
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion Only 12 Percent of Black Boys at Grade Level?
That's the argument from this author, who lobbies for more boy-friendly classrooms.
Richard Whitmire, April 4, 2011
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1 min read
Early Childhood Opinion Redshirting Kids for Kindergarten
As always, we're really only talking about boys.
Richard Whitmire, April 4, 2011
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion NPR's Martin on the Boy Troubles
Michel Martin takes us from the NCAA championships to the marriageable mate issue, in only a few graphs.
Richard Whitmire, April 4, 2011
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Early Childhood Opinion Preschool the Answer?
Washington Post described urban charters moving into preschool and hoping to correct academic problems early. But there are downsides, especially among boys, who may not be ready for an academic agenda.
Richard Whitmire, April 4, 2011
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Education Opinion Gender and the Union Fights
Interesting piece in the New York Times about organizing mostly female workers -- and how many of those workers have become the primary earners in their families.
Richard Whitmire, April 3, 2011
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School Choice & Charters Opinion The Next Edition of 'Gender Matters'
With single-sex school news from South Carolina and beyond, awaits you.
Richard Whitmire, April 1, 2011
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Equity & Diversity Opinion KIPP Coming Up Short on Black Boys?
Not the black boys who persist through the charters schools, but those who leave.
Richard Whitmire, March 31, 2011
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School Choice & Charters Opinion MPR Takes on Single-Sex Education
Minnesota Public Radio airs the debate, interviewing both Leonard Sax and Janet Hyde, a professor at the University of Wisconsin.
Richard Whitmire, March 31, 2011
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College & Workforce Readiness Opinion NBC on "Men Falling Behind Women"
A producer from NBC interviewed me for general background information, but I never saw what appeared on air earlier this month.
Richard Whitmire, March 31, 2011
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Education Opinion Advocate for Boys Retiring
Nancy Grasmick is stepping down as Maryland schools superintendent. Grasmick has always been well aware of the decline in academic aspirations among boys. Plus, she identified the core of the problem, reading and writing deficits. It was Grasmick who pioneered the use of comic books to assist with reading instruction (okay, comic books give way eventually to graphic novels).
Richard Whitmire, March 31, 2011
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1 min read
Federal Opinion Gender Gaps in Holland
Sound familiar?
Richard Whitmire, March 30, 2011
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Education Opinion The Economic Price of Teen Fatherhood
Interesting look at this issue in Economic Inquiry. From the press release:
Richard Whitmire, March 30, 2011
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Equity & Diversity Opinion Beyond Learning
Unparented elementary-age boys lashing out.
Richard Whitmire, March 29, 2011
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