Gender Differences in Mathematics Performance in the Elementary Grades: Implications for Women's Participation inScientific and Technical Occupations

Abstract

This study was undertaken to examine gender differences in mathematics achievement among fifth and sixth grade students and to identify the factors that account for variations in their performance. The findings indicate a difference in favor of boys among sixth graders. In addition, the regression analysis results suggest three variables as important predictors of boys' and girls' achievement. These are attitudes toward mathematics, the school in which students learn, and peer expectations. Furthermore, parental expectations and frequency of exercise in mathematics account reliably to the prediction of boys' achievement. The implications of these findings for mathematics education as well as for women's participation in scientific and technical occupations are discussed.


Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review (EASSRR) Vol. XVII No. 2 June 2001, pp. 107-127