Gifted,Girls vs. Boys

“Are their talents being identified, encouraged, or ignored?”

(Gurian, Gifted Girls - Many Gifted Girls, Few Eminent Women: Why?)

Mary Buller

CI 583, SHSU, Summer I, 2010

Dr. LaPrairie

Gifted Students

Gifted and Talented vs. Bright

Common Gifted Myths

Identification of gifted students

Girls vs. Boys – Elementary

Girls vs. Boys – Junior High and High School

Gifted Women in the Workforce

Gifted Student vs. Bright Student Bright students are not all

gifted.

Distinct differences exist

Link:

Characteristics of Bright Learn

ers compared to Gifted Learn

ers

Common Myths about Gifted Kids All children are gifted

Gifted students…

Don’t need help

Always make good grades

Can’t have disabilities

Are happy, popular, and well adjusted

Identification of Gifted Students Tested in Texas as early as Kindergarten

Students are tested in most states by third grade

Tested and identified in 4 “core” subjects

Tested and Identified for creativity and intellectual ability

Link: TEA GT guidelines and frequently asked questions

Researching Gifted Girls Problem Statement:

As gifted girls mature they abandon academic achievement

in an effort to keep friends

Research Purpose:

To identify causes for decreased interest in academics and

ways to close achievement gaps for gifted girls

Significance of the study:

To increase educator and parent awareness, as well as

student awareness, self-confidence, and achievement

Gifted Girls vs. Gifted Boys in Elementary The number of Gifted Girls = Gifted Boys

Girls talk, read, and count sooner

Girls score higher on IQ tests

Girls are ready for school earlier

Girls earn higher grades

Gifted Girls vs. Boys in Adolescence Girls show marked lack of self-confidence

Girls prefer not to stand out academically

Girls choose friendship over achievement

Adolescent gifted girls report low self-esteem for several

reasons

Most academic loss occurs for girls in middle school

Adolescent gifted boys choose friends differently

Teenage Gifted Girls

Perfectionism, hopelessness and discouragement

increase with age

Why these changes happen

Why they feel academic competition should be avoided

Recent study results of 500 high school gifted students

Negative peer perception of gifted girls

Gifted Boy = Leader, Gifted Girl = Bossy

Girls vs. Boys in Math and Science Research shows no difference in ability Why girls avoid advanced math and science classes Why girls score lower on standardized tests Achievement gap decreasing Research shows a difference in processing information

Gifted Girls Grow Up

Choices Influenced for colleges and

careers by…

Career development options can be

limited

Still a significant gender gap in technology

Girls choose data entry

Boys choose advanced technology

applications

Women in the Workforce

Architects 17%

Clergy 8%

Engineers 8%

Technicians 3%

Dentists 10%

Percentage of Women in the workforce for specific occupations in the United States

Librarians 83%

Elementary School Teachers

86%

Speech Therapists

88%

Kindergarten and Pre-School teachers

95%

References

NGLB LOGO Raspberry, No Girl Left Behind T Shirts from Zazzle.com. (n.d.). Zazzle | Custom T-Shirts, Personalized Gifts, Posters, Art, and more. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.zazzle.com/nglb_logo_raspberry_no_girl_left_behind_tshirt-235507746788076963

About the lab. (n.d.). Dartmouth College. Retrieved June

24, 2010, from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~yehlab/aboutthelab.dwt

Bright vs Gifted. (n.d.). Welcome to BowNET - Home of the

Bow School District. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.bow.k12.nh.us/BESGifted/brightvs.htm

References Con’tGurian, A., & Ph.D.. (n.d.). Gifted Girls - Many Gifted Girls, Few

Eminent Women: Why? | AboutOurKids.org. About Our Kids | AboutOurKids.org. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/gifted_girls_many_gifted_girls_few_eminent_women_why

Law., & Rule?. (n.d.). Gifted Homepage. Allen County ESC

Home. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.allencountyesc.org/DepartmentsPrograms/GiftedHomepage/tabid/1292/Default.aspx

TEA - Advanced Programs & Gifted and Talented Education.

(n.d.). Welcome to the Texas Education Agency. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/gted/