Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind
Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind
Boys are falling behind in school. The world has become more verbal; boys haven’t. Even in their traditionally strong subjects of science and math, boys are hit at a young age with new educational approaches, stressing high-level reading and writing goals that they are developmentally unable to achieve. The gap between male and female achievement has reached the college level, where only 40 per cent of graduates next year will be male. This doesn’t just mean fewer male doctors and lawyers, it also means fewer men in the careers that previously did not require post-high school degrees but do now. “Why Boys Fail” examines the roots and repercussions of this problem and spells out the educational, political, social and economic challenges we face as we work to end it.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Why Boys Fail Excellent Study Of Important Problem
In this book, the author provides an excellent and very interesting study of the modern day educational gender gap. This gap is the considerable disadvantage that boys now face compared to girls in educational outcomes. The author points out that not only are college students and those receiving degrees almost 60% female, but that preceding the college years is a record of poor educational performance by boys going back to pre-Kindergarten. In 10 well-organized chapters, the book develops a number of important concepts. Not only does it provide the thesis of why boys are doing so poorly (not only relative to girls but also overall), but it also provides indications of what the solutions are. These proposed solutions include improved teaching techniques to address the problems, as well as necessary policy initiatives. The 10 chapters provide a logical flow through the subject area of the book. The first chapter looks into how the basic issue presents itself, using examples such as an awards presentation at a school where almost all of the award recipients are girls. This leads to the question, what happened to the boys? The second chapter then points to the ultimate underlying factor, poor literacy among boys, pointing out that strong literacy is absolutely necessary not only for success in college, but in many other areas, such as being able to read manuals. The third chapter then explores some of the reasons why reading is taught so poorly; pointing out that good teaching methods are especially important when students are doing poorly. The fourth chapter then looks at the deficiencies of boys with regard to writing ability. In the fifth chapter, the book now moves on to a new emphasis, starting with an examination of many of the reasons that are given for the poor educational performance of boys. This starts with video games, discusses the lack of male teachers, and covers a number of other proposed explanations. For each one, the author examines whether there is credible evidence that the factor is a valid or partial explanation for the problems that boys are having. The sixth chapter is the most hopeful in the book. In this chapter, the author examines three schools that are succeeding in teaching all of their students, including the boys, at an equal level, particularly in reading. Here the techniques that are being used so successfully are described and the key point is made that it is possible to teach virtually all boys to read successfully. Having established that the methods exist, the author moves on in the seventh chapter to examine the ideological stalemate, particularly from those who have been fighting for equality for girls, that has caused this problem to largely be ignored in this country. Since the problem has not been addressed at the highest levels in the United States, the author then uses the eighth chapter to look at how the problems of poor educational performance by boys has been addressed in other countries, particularly in Australia. The ninth chapter then discusses societal trends that show why these gender gaps matter. And the tenth chapter then looks at recommendations that the author has towards the alleviation of the problem, particularly advocating that the Secretary of Education sponsor a formal study into the issue of poor educational performance by boys. Overall, this provides an excellent journey, both for those who are mostly unfamiliar with the issue as well as for those who have been aware of it for some time, into the latest problems, developments, and solutions that have been taking place in this important area. The style is fun to read. It is full of little stories that are interesting in their own right and also provide excellent illustrations of the points that are being made. No matter where one stands on this issue, they will be both entertained and well informed.
4 Stars A great jumpstart for a national conversation
Richard Whitmire has given us a well thought-out overview of a subject that has gotten scant attention–the frightening falling off of boys’ academic achievement, particularly in comparison to girls.
Peppered with engaging stories and descriptions, Whitmire lays out the facts and examines popular hypotheses for the achievement gap between boys and girls. He comes to no definitive conclusions, but he lays out the case for inadequate reading instruction pretty powerfully.
My favorite parts involve descriptions of schools where there is no achievement gap–schools that focus on basic reading instruction as well as teaching a well-rounded curriculum by teachers who take care to make sure all their students learn. Seems so obvious.
5 Stars Parent perspective
As the parent of a daughter and a son, I found the book immensely reassuring. I now understand why my very smart and fabulous son did not excel as well academically as he has in life outside the classroom. I wish I had known this years ago. It would have saved me sleepless nights and lots of worry. I hope the book impacts those who are in a position to effect change in the way we teach our boys.
5 Stars The Educational System Does Not Sign Birth Certificates
//Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind// authored by Richard Whitmore proclaims a problem in school systems nationwide. Boys are not making the grades. These boys become disciplinary problems and get suspended to avoid the embarrassment of anyone knowing that they can not read or write.
According to this research, these are not just poor minority boys. Many of them have affluent parents and some even work as professionals in educational institutions and their boys are included in a system that is failing. Why are the girls making the grades? Excuses such as “Boys will be boys” must end.
What are we going to do? Keep the boys on medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. Many of these boys drop out of school by the ninth grade. This problem has caused colleges to become the new high schools.
//Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind// presents frustration on many levels. This book makes you quizzical. Has the educational system really failed the boys? Have parents placed too much responsibility on the school system? What about the boys, your boys, your sons?
Reviewed by Vivian Dixon Sober
5 Stars An Important Book for All Parents
Whether you have a son or not, this book offers crucial insight into one of the most important contemporary issues in our schools. Whitmire writes with passion and intelligence about the problem and some fascinating solutions.
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