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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: boys.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
Squishy Evidence of Single-Sex Success
This article from Beaver Dam, Wis., (love the name) is typical of what I see in news coverage: We like what we see from our single-sex experiment...no improvement in test scores, but we like what we see. What does that mean?
Federal
Opinion
Favorite Reading for Boys: Fantasy Novels for Struggling Readers
Girls, by contrast, choose far more sophisticated literature, according to this British study of reading habits. In Britain, Australia and other countries, educators are trying to solve the literacy gender issue. This study pinpoints the ages 13-16 as the time when the gaps are most pronounced.
Education
Opinion
'Dating Out' -- The Option Coming Soon to White Women
Dating Out is what black women call dating someone out of their race, as laid out in this Washington Post article. For black women looking to marry someone equally educated, that's an option that has to be considered. In urban areas such as Washington, there are three times as many college educated black women as men. The math is simple.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
Lawsuit Against Single Sex Education
Feminists have opposed single-sex education from the beginning. Here's a taste of their legal arguments surrounding the ongoing lawsuit in Louisiana.
Education
Opinion
Obama Really Has Only One Choice
The President has a set a goal of having the world's most educated workforce by 2020, as measured by OECD standards of those holding at least a two-year degree. The recession, however, is cutting into progress toward that goal.
Science
Opinion
A STEM Model Worthy of Imitation
UC San Diego is doing what more colleges and universities should be doing to boost the numbers of women going into math and science fields. Having universities mostly populated by women -- with only 20 percent of some STEM majors female -- is unacceptable, from a national economic perspective.
Education
Opinion
I'm a Fan of Country Music ... Really
This commentary I wrote for USA Today about a new theme emerging in country songs -- that educated ladies can't resist country boys -- may suggest to some that I'm hostile to country music. Not at all. I know about these videos because CMT is what I watch when I'm on the elliptical.
Science
Opinion
How About Programs for Boys to Explore the World of Reading?
This University of Texas program designed to lure more middle school girls into pursuing STEM subjects sounds great. It's exactly what needs to be done, especially if college gender balances favoring women continue into the future. We need far more women sticking with science/math majors and entering those careers.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
Do Boys Really Need College?
I say they do. Like it not, college is the new high school. Nearly all decent-paying jobs require some study after high school. And yet there are many out there who disagree, making the argument: Do we really need more degreed hamburger flippers?
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
Test Scores Versus Grades
Veteran Washington Post education reporter Jay Mathews leads an interesting online discussion about what should be the primary factor for college admission, grades vs. the SAT or ACT.
Education Funding
Opinion
David Brooks on the Gender Gaps
Brooks does a nice job weaving together all the reports on this issue. I wish he could have gotten into why boys are falling behind. Perhaps a future column.
