Sex differences in school science performance from middle childhood to early adolescence

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sex differences in school science performance from middle childhood to early adolescence

AU - Haworth, Claire M.A.

AU - Dale, Philip S.

AU - Plomin, Robert

PY - 2010

Y1 - 2010

N2 - We investigated whether the sexes differ in science performance before they make important course and career selections. We collected teacher-report data from a sample of children from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) assessed at ages 9, 10 and 12 years (N > 2500 pairs). In addition we developed a test of scientific enquiry and administered it to a sub-sample of TEDS (n = 1135; age = 14 years). We found no evidence for mean sex differences in science performance assessed by teachers, or by our test of scientific enquiry, although boys were somewhat more variable. At a time when adolescents are making important course choices, girls are performing just as well as boys.

AB - We investigated whether the sexes differ in science performance before they make important course and career selections. We collected teacher-report data from a sample of children from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) assessed at ages 9, 10 and 12 years (N > 2500 pairs). In addition we developed a test of scientific enquiry and administered it to a sub-sample of TEDS (n = 1135; age = 14 years). We found no evidence for mean sex differences in science performance assessed by teachers, or by our test of scientific enquiry, although boys were somewhat more variable. At a time when adolescents are making important course choices, girls are performing just as well as boys.

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijer.2010.09.003

DO - 10.1016/j.ijer.2010.09.003

M3 - Article

SN - 0883-0355

VL - 49

SP - 92

EP - 101

JO - International Journal of Educational Research

JF - International Journal of Educational Research

IS - 2-3

ER -