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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: boys.
Federal
Opinion
Haha...Guess Why Finland Fell From First Place
It's those annoying BOYS, of course. What are the Finns going to do about falling into third place on the OECD rankings?
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
More Analysis on PISA Results
The International Reading Association weighs in on the international testing released yesterday, including the reading gender gaps.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
Stotsky on Literacy Underachievement
Sandra Stotsky is always worth reading on this issue, but I wish she had included something on the literacy gender gaps. I know she's familiar with the issue. From Education Week (may be password protected).
Federal
Opinion
OECD Report Reveals International Gender Gap
Readers of this blog already know the literacy gender gaps are international, at least in industrialized Western countries. Others are about to find out from today's report on international academic achievement comparisons.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
About Chicago's Urban Prep ...
Urban Prep sounds like a huge success story, and I have no doubt it is. But as for their claim of sending 100 percent of their graduates to college, that has to be put in perspective, as Stephanie Banchero does in the Wall Street Journal:
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Black Male: Re-Imagined
That's the name of a summit taking place over the next two days to imagine how life might be different for black males.
Education
Opinion
This Has 'Marriageable Mate' Written All Over It
New report from the National Marriage Project lays out who's getting married, who's not -- and who's having babies out of marriage. It's all about education levels, and the gender gaps in education are well documented.
Education
Opinion
Another (Interesting) Boys Blog
Thanks to the recently launched Boys Initiative blog, I know about Understanding and Raising Boys, a launch from PBSParents.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Black Males and Sports
The recent studies about black males falling behind in school have one thing in common: they ignore the role sports play in the issue. When parents, coaches and principals allow students to pursue sports absent academic requirements they encourage young men to ignore academics and invest all their ambitions in sports dreams -- dreams that come true for very few athletes.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
For the Sake of the Boys: Keep the SAT
When it comes to schooling, the SAT (not counting football) is about the only standout for boys. It's an aptitude-heavy test, which means actual school learning counts less. As Mona Charen pleads (on behalf of her own sons and other boys): please, for the sake of the boys, keep the SAT.
Education
Opinion
Something Insightful Here? Probably Not
Here's a mystery gender gap: Women prefer iPhones; men Android.
Education
Opinion
Infidelity in Russia
In this Slate article, "The Cheating Cheaters of Moscow," the cheating phenomenon is explained, in part, by the "operational sex ratio." Put simply, when there's a shortage of one sex the opposite sex sets the rules. Doesn't matter if it's the animal or human kingdom. In Russia, the shortage of men is a major player in that country's attitudes about infidelity among men.