Challenging current theories about gender and achievement, this book assesses the issues at stake and analyses the policy drives and changing perceptions of gender on which the 'gender and achievement' debates are based.
This new topical book guides the reader through the different theories and approaches, drawing together and reviewing work on gender and educational performance. The authors also highlight the continuing problems experienced by girls in terms of achievement and classroom interaction. The subjects covered include:

• perspectives on gender and achievement
• the construction of gender and achievement in education policy
• evaluating boysa (TM) underachievement
• the future for boys and girls?
• raising achievement: 'What works in the classroom?'

Becky Francis, Christine Skelton

1. Introduction 2. Perspectives on Gender and Achievement 3. The Construction of Gender and Achievement in Education Policy 4. Evaluating `Boys¿ Underachievement¿ 5. Explaining Gender Differences in Achievement: Explanation 1 - Boys and girls are born with different interests, motivations and abilities; Explanation 2 - Boys and girls have different learning styles; Explanation 3 - Schools are `feminized¿ and this disadvantages boys; Explanation 4 - Assessment procedures and teaching practices are biased towards girls; Explanation 5 - That pupils¿ constructions of gender manifest in different behaviours which impact on achievement 6. What Has Happened to the Girls? 7. The Future for Boys and Girls? (Re)constructions of gender and achievement 8. Raising Achievement: What `works in the classroom?