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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Gender differences in mathematics achievement: a search for explanations
Author:Seleshi Zekele
Year:2000
Periodical:Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research (ISSN 1013-3445)
Volume:12
Issue:1
Period:March
Pages:100-118
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:Ethiopia
world
Subjects:gender relations
mathematics education
secondary education
education
mathematics
academic achievement
Gender-based analysis
Secondary schools
Abstract:Based on the responses of a random sample of 847 secondary school students (515 males and 332 females) from grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 in a rural context - North Shoa, Ethiopia - the author investigates gender differences in mathematics achievement and attitudes. The results indicated significant gender differences in both mathematics achievement and attitudes among 9th, 10th and 11th graders. All significant differences were in favour of males. The gender difference in mathematics achievement in these grades was partly due to gender differences in attitudes. Other concomitant variables were peer group expectations and the stereotyping of mathematics as a male domain. At the 8th grade level, a significant gender difference was found in mathematics achievement, but not in attitude. An explanation may lie in the local culture, which generally discourages the education of girls. Moreover, rural girls' household chores leave them with little time for study, and a cross-national study has indicated that time spent on homework is an important predictor of mathematics achievement. Bibliogr., sum.
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