Women Bridging Gap in Science Opportunities

Although women are still underrepresented in the applicant pool for faculty positions in math, science, and engineering at major research universities, those who do apply are interviewed and hired at rates equal to or higher than those for men. Similarly, women are underrepresented among those considered for tenure, but those who are considered receive tenure at the same or higher rates than men. To read details, click HERE.

In another development,after reviewing a number of studies, the conclusion was that the achievement gap between boys and girls in mathematics performance had narrowed to the vanishing point. The Wisconsin researchers, Janet S. Hyde and Janet E. Mertz, studied data from 10 states collected in tests mandated by the No Child Left Behind legislation as well as data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a federal testing program. Differences between girls’ and boys’ performance in the 10 states were “close to zero in all grades,” they said, even in high schools where gaps existed earlier.