Gender patterns in school performance: comparative evidence Presented by Professor Tony Gallagher...

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Gender patterns in school performance: comparative evidence

Presented by

Professor Tony Gallagher

Queen’s University Belfast

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland selective system since 1947

tests at end of primary school a third to grammar schools rest to secondary schools

gender patterns separate groups for grades court case ruled this illegal short-term increase in % of girls going

to grammar school

Leavers with good GCSEs+ 1963-99Figure 1: leavers with %5+ GCSEs A*-C, 1963 to 1999

0

10

20

30

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7019

64/6

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1966

/67

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/69

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/71

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/73*

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/75

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/77

1979

/80

1983

/84

1986

/87

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/89

1990

/91

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/93

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/95

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/97

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/99

Boys

Girls

Leavers with 2+ A Levels, 1963-99Figure 2: leavers with 2+ A Levels 1963 to 1999

0

10

20

30

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5019

63/6

4

1965

/66

1967

/68

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/70

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/72

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/74

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/76

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/78

1981

/82

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/86

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/88

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/92

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/94

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/00

Boys Girls

Grammar leavers with good GCSEs+, 1986-99

Figure 3: Grammar leavers 5+ GCSEs A*-C

80

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10019

86/8

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/88

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/91

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/92

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/93

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/94

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/95

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/96

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Boys Girls All

Secondary leavers with good GCSEs+, 1986-99

Figure 4: Secondary leavers 5+ GCSEs A*-C

10

20

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50

1986

/87

1987

/88

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/91

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/92

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/94

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/98

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1999

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Boys Girls All

Grammar schools:%Year 12 with good GCSEs

Figure 5: grammar schools, 5+ good GCSEs

70

80

90

100

1 7 13 19 25 31 37 43 49 55 61 67 73

5acboys

5acgirls

Secondary schools:%Year 12 with good GCSEs

Figure 6: secondary schools 5+ good GCSEs

0

20

40

60

80

100

1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91 101

111

121

131

141

151

161

5acboys

5acgirls

  Boys aged 17-

18

    Girls aged 17-

18

 

  Number Pass rate

  Number Pass rate

English 22,628 93   53,077 94

Maths 33,543 87   20,024 91

Physics 21,991 89   5,988 92

French 4,637 93   10,651 91

Success rates in A Levels (England, 2000)

NCES maths & science participation in maths and

science activities opportunity to participate career expectations and

aspirations

Northern Ireland: A Level choice 10 year follow-up on A Level choice gender pattern:

increase for girls in Chemistry continuing low rate for girls in Physics

career expectations interest in medical-related no interest in engineering

Factors affecting gender & performance

familiarity with context of problem

link to socialization patterns impact on confidence

presentational style

Conclusions performance pattern changing over time

increasing performance levels faster rate of increase for girls

influence of equality measures other factors constraining performance

continuation of social and economic constraints

Northern Ireland review of selective system recommendations:

end academic selection promote formative assessment establish collaborative networks

of post-primary schools

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