Gender Differences in Mathematics Achievement: Findings From the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988

Abstract

Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) national samples were used to investigate gender differences in mathematics achievement. Gender differences were not found when total-group means were compared. When the high end of math score distributions was examined, however, noteworthy gender differences favoring male students emerged. These differences became larger from the 8th grade to the 12th grade and were more prominent at more extreme score ranges. The trends were consistent for Whites, Asians, and Hispanics, but not for African Americans. The observed gender differences for students at the high end of the math score distributions are important because these students are likely to consider pursuing careers in science, mathematics, and engineering. Gender differences at the high end of the math score distributions are likely to be one reason for the gender imbalance in the flow of new students into science and engineering careers.