The media have helped to create a public perception of crisis in boys' education. But how accurate is this?
Two issues dominate media coverage: a superficial analysis of academic results and a 'sex wars' approach.
Often the media present a simple 'average' to represent boys' school results. By neglecting detailed figures, a true picture of the very wide range of boys' achievement at school is lost. The assumption is that all boys are the same and all boys are doing badly. This approach ignores the outstanding results of many boys and masks those most at risk.
There is an enormous range of achievement among boys (and girls), which cannot be reduced to an average score for the entire group. Like girls, boys are not all the same. No 'one size fits all' solution will meet their diverse needs.
Most media coverage assumes that boys and girls compete as groups at school, and that gains for one must come at the expense of the other. This is untrue and unhelpful. Perpetuating a view of male and female students as 'opposites' pitted against each other says more about the media than it does about the children and young people in our schools. This 'sex wars' approach will not help teachers, administrators and parents make schools more effective, supportive places for the diversity of students in our care.
To improve outcomes for all students, schools need detailed, accurate information about the participation and performance of boys (and girls) and sound local knowledge to support school action.
 |
Headlining boys new window 41k |
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Access keys |
Other languages
© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and the Arts) 2002.
