Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

2009

Thesis Director

Assege HaileMariam

Thesis Committee Member

James Mike Havey

Thesis Committee Member

Ronan Bernas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that contribute to the disparity between the academic achievement level of boys and girls in the school setting. Current literature indicates that while boys have historically outperformed girls in the area of math, girls have all but closed this achievement gap.

One hundred and twenty-four fourth and fifth grade students (71 girls, 53 boys, predominantly Caucasian) from a school in the Midwest region of the United States participated in the study. Gender and living with a male role model were found to have no relationship with academic achievement. These results may be understood in the context of the sample studied. In contrast to the national and state data, the community participants from which participants came had above-average educations, intact families, and incomes. Children who come from such a background have been known to do well in school. Future studies may be designed to replicate the current study with a more representative sample as well to continue to explore the role of father involvement in achievement.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS