Why is the education of boys a problem in today’s educational system?
Evidence of the problem can be seen in the fact that boys are behind their female peers in most test results—especially in reading and even more so in writing. The 2002 National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that boys were behind by 17% in 4th grade, 21% in 8th grade, and 25% in 12th grade. Looking at the results of virtually any state or any school district, one can see similar results. Boys are also more likely to repeat a grade, more likely to drop out of high school, less likely to attend college, and less likely to graduate from college. Not surprisingly, their attitudes about school are also more negative. Boys also comprise the majority of special education students, with boys making up 73% of students with learning disabilities and 76% of students identified with emotional disturbance problems. And, for boys from minority groups or poverty, the situation is often even worse. The problem with the education of boys is a result of both general differences in the biolog
