“I just think it’s much more doable than we say it is, if we would just put aside some of the excuses and engage these young men. They’re waiting for us.”
– Dr. Michael Glascoe, superintendent
Where have all the boys gone? You may be able to find them in the gym, at a job or hanging out, but there’s one important place where boys are under-represented, and the problem seems to be getting worse.
These days, at high school graduation ceremonies, there are a lot more girls than boys.
“Yeah, a lot of my friends dropped out of high school, and they were all males,” says John Lutz, student
In fact, according to a new study published in Education Week, every year, 10 percent more girls graduate from high school than boys.
“I think that there is tendency to focus on boys as problems at this point, rather than recognizing that boys have problems,” says Joanne Max, Ph.D., psychologist.
Experts say the problems start in grade school, where there is often an emphasis on sports instead of reading, for example.
“I think that with boys there is some idea that it’s not masculine or macho to read,” says Rob Jenkins, English professor.
There is also a shortage of male teachers as role models.
“I think boys need role models, so if you’re a boy and you don’t have a dad in your home and then you have one male teacher and it’s your athletic coach, then I don’t think you have a message that education is very important,” says Carol Carter, author and child advocate.
In addition, classrooms often have too little activity and too much passive listening, which is not conducive to boys.
“Just a teacher up there giving a lecture to 32 students who couldn’t care less,” says Kevin, 15.
Experts say parents can fight back in many ways. Read to your sons early and often; show by your actions that you value their education. Ask them about their schoolwork, offer help, drop by their classroom and, finally, appeal to their competitive spirit: challenge them to do better and help them understand that their future depends on it.
“I just think it’s much more doable than we say it is, if we would just put aside some of the excuses and engage these young men. They’re waiting for us,” says Dr. Michael Glascoe, superintendent.
Tips for Parents
Learning how to focus and get something done is about more than getting good grades — it's the foundation for success in life. Mastering the skills of getting organized, staying focused and seeing work through to the end will help in just about everything you do. (Nemours Foundation)
The work in high school builds off of what you learned in middle school, giving you a more advanced knowledge of many academic subjects. (Nemours Foundation)
If you ever find your work too overwhelming, teachers and tutors are available for extra help. While you have more independence as a high school student than you might have in middle school, there are still many resources to fall back on if you feel that the work is too much. (Nemours Foundation)
Be patient and keep trying. Once you've adjusted to your new independence you may find you can go farther than you ever imagined. (Nemours Foundation)
In summary, here's a quick checklist of things that can help you focus: (Nemours Foundation)
DO know your deadlines.
DO make a calendar of stages and final due dates.
DO include social events on this calendar for time management.
DO understand the assignment and expectations.
DO give yourself a quiet place to study with all the materials you need.
DO give yourself brief breaks.
– Dr. Michael Glascoe, superintendent
Where have all the boys gone? You may be able to find them in the gym, at a job or hanging out, but there’s one important place where boys are under-represented, and the problem seems to be getting worse.
These days, at high school graduation ceremonies, there are a lot more girls than boys.
“Yeah, a lot of my friends dropped out of high school, and they were all males,” says John Lutz, student
In fact, according to a new study published in Education Week, every year, 10 percent more girls graduate from high school than boys.
“I think that there is tendency to focus on boys as problems at this point, rather than recognizing that boys have problems,” says Joanne Max, Ph.D., psychologist.
Experts say the problems start in grade school, where there is often an emphasis on sports instead of reading, for example.
“I think that with boys there is some idea that it’s not masculine or macho to read,” says Rob Jenkins, English professor.
There is also a shortage of male teachers as role models.
“I think boys need role models, so if you’re a boy and you don’t have a dad in your home and then you have one male teacher and it’s your athletic coach, then I don’t think you have a message that education is very important,” says Carol Carter, author and child advocate.
In addition, classrooms often have too little activity and too much passive listening, which is not conducive to boys.
“Just a teacher up there giving a lecture to 32 students who couldn’t care less,” says Kevin, 15.
Experts say parents can fight back in many ways. Read to your sons early and often; show by your actions that you value their education. Ask them about their schoolwork, offer help, drop by their classroom and, finally, appeal to their competitive spirit: challenge them to do better and help them understand that their future depends on it.
“I just think it’s much more doable than we say it is, if we would just put aside some of the excuses and engage these young men. They’re waiting for us,” says Dr. Michael Glascoe, superintendent.
Tips for Parents
Learning how to focus and get something done is about more than getting good grades — it's the foundation for success in life. Mastering the skills of getting organized, staying focused and seeing work through to the end will help in just about everything you do. (Nemours Foundation)
The work in high school builds off of what you learned in middle school, giving you a more advanced knowledge of many academic subjects. (Nemours Foundation)
If you ever find your work too overwhelming, teachers and tutors are available for extra help. While you have more independence as a high school student than you might have in middle school, there are still many resources to fall back on if you feel that the work is too much. (Nemours Foundation)
Be patient and keep trying. Once you've adjusted to your new independence you may find you can go farther than you ever imagined. (Nemours Foundation)
In summary, here's a quick checklist of things that can help you focus: (Nemours Foundation)
DO know your deadlines.
DO make a calendar of stages and final due dates.
DO include social events on this calendar for time management.
DO understand the assignment and expectations.
DO give yourself a quiet place to study with all the materials you need.
DO give yourself brief breaks.
DON'T put work off until the last minute; you'll be too frantic to focus.
DON'T do your homework late at night or in bed.
DON'T let yourself be bored; find the aspect of the project or paper that interests you -- if you're dying of boredom, something's not right.
References
Nemours Foundation
