By Jennifer Peltz, The Associated Press
For decades, girls have lagged behind boys on standardized math and science tests in the United States, perpetuating the stereotype that women aren’t as good at those subjects.
But a new analysis suggests the supposed gender gap may not be so big — and it’s disappearing in some grades and subjects.
The gap between girls’ and boys’ math scores remained fairly steady over the last two decades, averaging 5 points on a 100-point scale on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a congressionally mandated test given periodically to a sample of students in grades 4, 8 and 12.
But since 2009, girls have narrowed the gender gap on eighth-grade math by 3 points, and they have pulled even with boys in fourth-grade science, according to a report released Thursday by the National Center for Education Statistics. Boys continue to slightly outperform girls on the other science tests.
“The notion that math and science are out of reach for girls is not supported by these findings,” said Peggy Carr, the acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education. “I am particularly pleased that the persistent gap is narrowing.”
Experts credited efforts to encourage more girls to pursue studies in math and science, although they cautioned against declaring victory too soon. They noted that the math gender gap has narrowed only slightly in high school, and they said more work is needed to get girls interested in science in middle and high school.
“Girls are equally capable in these subjects as boys, and we need to work to continue to reduce any gaps,” Carr said.
Other experts said the research suggests gender stereotypes about math and science ability may be starting to break down. But more research is needed, they said.
“I wish I had some really great explanation as to why, besides just saying that maybe the culture’s changing a bit,” said Valerie Lee, a University of Michigan education professor who has studied gender differences in math and science.
The report included results from the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as NAEP, along with comparisons with previous years. The math and science tests were given to students in grades 4, 8 and 12.
The report found that in several cases, girls outperformed boys. In fourth grade, for example, girls outscored boys on the reading portion of the test — a trend that has held steady for decades.
In eighth-grade math, girls narrowed the score gap with boys from 6 points in 2019 to 3 points in 2022. Black girls had the largest average gain in math scores, narrowing the gender gap from 11 points in 2019 to 3 points in 2022.
And girls slightly outscored boys in fourth-grade science in 2022 after being 2 points behind in 2019.
The findings come at a time when math and science education is under scrutiny in the United States. Some experts have called for a renewed focus on math and science education, while others have argued for a more well-rounded approach that includes subjects such as social studies and the arts.
Carr said the findings suggest that efforts to encourage girls to pursue math and science are working, but she cautioned against complacency.
“We must continue to work hard to ensure that all students have access to high-quality math and science education,” she said.
