Reassessing Gender and Achievement: Questioning Contemporary Key Debates

Reassessing Gender and Achievementdraws together the findings and arguments from the vast array of material available on this topic, in order to provide a comprehensive and clear overview of the various debates about, and explanations for gender and achievement. The authors, both well known for their work in this area, will guide the reader through the maze of different theories and thinking by: * Examining the policy and context for the recent debates on boys' achievement, including the 'moral panic' * Systematically explaining the various explanations for boys' apparent under-performance, and assessing the evidence in each case * Exploring the current situation for girls, asking to what extent their achievement and experiences of school have changes * Discussing the impact of social class and ethnicity on pupils' achievement * Providing an analysis of pupils' perspectives, particularly in the context of their peer group pressures. Eschewing any 'quick-fix' solutions for raisingboys' achievement, the authors also highlight the continuing problems experienced by girls in terms of achievement and classroom interaction. Teachers, education professionals and students engaged in teacher training will welcome the authors' objective yet critical expertise on this vital issue in schools today.