Girls' Education: Past and Present

A longitudinal study of American students revealed that by the third grade, a performance gap between male and female students begins to form regardless of race or socioeconomic status (Cimpian, 2018). Professor of Education Policy, Joseph Cimpian, argues that despite equality in education in legislation, social and cultural gender biases are still present in the classroom (2018). The book, Failing at Fairness, by David Sadker and Myra Sadker provides a few examples of how these biases are presented (1994). Their research reveals that teachers are often more willing to tolerate attention seeking behavior from a male rather than a female student and that that boys were called on more than girls when answering questions. There is also a consistent difference in vocabulary of feedback directed to boys versus girls. In school literature selections, males are more likely to be the lead protagonist. At the secondary level discrimination, may take the form of inappropriate discussion of appearance, expectation to participate in service work, and a lower degree of credit on group work or publications (Sadker & Sadker, 1994). Discrimination against girls in education can be subtle, but that does not mean it is not present. It is up to educators to break the cycle of socially accepted gender biases and be mindful about their behavior towards boys and girls in the classroom.

While these biases may be subtle and most of the time, unconscious behaviors, they still affect girls in school. Often times these subconscious behaviors are a product of societal expectations for different genders. It is impossible to correct society as whole, but as an educator we can make small steps to assuage these biases through our own words and actions (Alder, 2017). The activity below will share some ways in which teachers can create a classroom environment that equally serves boys and girls.

IN SUMMARY

In order to understand the present day coeducation norm, we must first understand how the present came to be. When we learn how long women fought for equality in education, it allows us to not only appreciate the privilege of coeducation but it also inspires us keep moving forward to create a perfectly equal classroom. The centuries of misogyny gender roles, and denial have created a culture that still bears trace amounts of gender discrimination and bias. It is our job as educators to continue to fight against these obstacles for girls in education and give all students an equal opportunity to succeed.

REVIEW WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

1. All of the following were steps forward in achieving equal education EXCEPT:

a. Brown v. Board of Education c. Plessy v. Ferguson

c. The Second Morrill Act d. Title IX of the Education Amendment

2. Suppose you are observing another teacher, which of the following may be an example of subconscious gender bias?

a. The teacher greets a group of female students by saying, "Hey ladies!"

b. The teacher uses popsicle sticks to randomize which students are called on in class

c. The teacher allows the students to identify their favorite colors and interests, without assuming what the child will prefer

d. The classroom is decorated with figures from history of all races, genders, and classes

References

Alber, R. (2017, January 27). Gender Equity in the Classroom. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/gender-equity-classroom-rebecca-alber

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia. (2021, March 1). Mary Lyon. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Lyon-American-educator

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia. (2019a, March 7). Oberlin College. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oberlin-College

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia. (2019b, November 25). University of Iowa. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/University-of-Iowa

Cimpian, Joseph. (2018). How our education system undermines gender equity. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2018/04/23/how-our-education-system-undermines-gender-equity/

Davidson, B. (2016). Women’s education. The encyclopedia of greater Philadelphia. https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/womens-education/

Education Amendments Act of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§1681 - 1688 (2018).

National Research Council. (1995). History and overview of the land grant college system. Colleges of agriculture at the land grant universities (pp. 2-17). The National Academies Press. DOI 10.17226/4980.

Sadker, M., & Sadker, D. (1994). Failing at fairness: How America's schools cheat girls. Maxwell Macmillan International.

Salem College. (2021). Our history. https://www.salem.edu/about/history

Supreme Court Of The United States. (1895) U.S. Reports: Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537. Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/usrep163537/.

Warren, E. & Supreme Court Of The United States. (1953) U.S. Reports: Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 .

Answer Key: 1. C. 2. A