Do Gender Differences in Mathematics Exist in Minnesota?

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

16-4-2013 2:00 PM

End Date

16-4-2013 4:00 PM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Carlos Panahon

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Second Mentor's Name

Samantha Bergmann

Second Mentor's Department

Psychology

Second Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

There has long been a social perception that males are inherently better at mathematics than females. This stereotype exists not only in the real world but in the classroom setting as well. Li (1999) reported that males are perceived by their teachers to be more dominant in mathematical ability and in turn are expected to perform better in the subject. The focus of our study is to examine whether or not these perceived gender differences in mathematical capability actually exist in Minnesota. This task will be accomplished by comparing Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) test results between males and females. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is a set of standardized tests which Minnesota schools give each year to measure student performance on state standards (Minnesota Board of Education). Archival student data will be collected from the department of education. Three years worth of Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) student scores will be reviewed for each of the following grades: third, fifth, eighth, and eleventh. Findings will provide a better understanding of the whether or not there is a difference in mathematical performances between males and females in Minnesota.

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Apr 16th, 2:00 PM Apr 16th, 4:00 PM

Do Gender Differences in Mathematics Exist in Minnesota?

CSU Ballroom

There has long been a social perception that males are inherently better at mathematics than females. This stereotype exists not only in the real world but in the classroom setting as well. Li (1999) reported that males are perceived by their teachers to be more dominant in mathematical ability and in turn are expected to perform better in the subject. The focus of our study is to examine whether or not these perceived gender differences in mathematical capability actually exist in Minnesota. This task will be accomplished by comparing Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) test results between males and females. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is a set of standardized tests which Minnesota schools give each year to measure student performance on state standards (Minnesota Board of Education). Archival student data will be collected from the department of education. Three years worth of Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) student scores will be reviewed for each of the following grades: third, fifth, eighth, and eleventh. Findings will provide a better understanding of the whether or not there is a difference in mathematical performances between males and females in Minnesota.

Recommended Citation

Uhrich, Leslee and Alex Bakardjiev. "Do Gender Differences in Mathematics Exist in Minnesota?." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/poster-session-B/13