Chapter 12, Student Web Activities, Sociology and You, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 12: Education
"Sexism in Schools"

Introduction
In this chapter you learned about the basic functions of education as well as the ways in which schools socialize children. Classroom teachers, who are usually a child's first authority figure outside the family, have a unique and important role in socializing children. Sometimes, teachers affect children unintentionally, and even well-meaning teachers unconsciously transmit sexist expectations of how male and female students should behave. In this activity you will take a closer look at the causes and consequences of sexism in schools.

Destination Title: The Tutor: Graduate Teacher Program Newsletter

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Directions
Start at the article on Sexism in the Classroom featured by the Tutor.

Scroll down to read the entire text of the article.

Use what you have learned to answer the following questions.

1. In the first study, conducted from 1980 to 1984, what sort of sample of students/classrooms/teachers was used? Do you think this was a valid sample? Explain.

2. What evidence did the first study find of gender bias in teachers' attention toward students?

3. How do girls' scores on standardized tests compare to boys' scores in the early grades compared to the end of high school?

4. What evidence is there for the need for teacher training at the college level?

5. Although the article indicates that there is still considerable sexism that takes place in schools, educational opportunities for girls have improved considerably over the years. Conduct an interview with a parent, grandparent, or other adult and find out what school was like when they were young. How were classrooms organized? How did the students interact with the teacher? Did the treatment of male and female students differ? Write a summary of the similarities and differences in classrooms of the past and present, and share your results with the class.