Girls are as good in math as boys....I could have told you that!!!

Janet Hyde, a researcher from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently published an article in Science concluding that girls in every grade from 2nd to 12th have math skills and abilities equal to those of their male counterparts. Using information based on math assessments required by No Child Left Behind, Hyde was able to assess the scores from over 7 million children in the United States.

While the data proves no discrepancy in ability, the belief persists amongst students and adults that math is "too hard" for girls. The gender war in the math arena seems to have been settled as females earn 48% of undergraduate degrees in the subject. Twenty years ago, data still proved that while elementary math scores were similar, girls began to under perform once they entered high school, taking less challenging courses (or none at all). There is still a long way to go in physics and engineering, however, as males still have the vast majority of representatives in these fields.

Joy Lee, a student at our very own TJ, shed some light on the subject. Sometimes, it's not a matter of feeling competent, but feeling comfortable in a setting where you may be the only female (until that begins to change, of course).

Hopefully, Hyde's study will encourage more teachers to recommend math and science to girls, not only in school but afterwards as well! This is just further evidence that biological differences between males and females do not have to equate to career selections or performance in school.

Thank you, Janet Hyde!!!