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Gender, achievement, and subject choice in English education

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Cavaglia
  • Stephen Machin
  • Sandra McNally
  • Jenifer Ruiz-Valenzuela

Abstract

In common with other OECD countries, there is a gender gap in educational achievement in England favouring girls. This carries through to tertiary education. On the other hand, boys are far more likely to engage in STEM in post-16 vocational education and at university. The underachievement of boys overall, but over-representation in STEM, presents significant challenges for policy. This paper documents changes in the gender gap over the last 20 years in England and discusses findings in the light of international evidence. It concludes that education policies, in academic and in vocational spheres, can be designed to reduce gender inequalities that exist in both.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Cavaglia & Stephen Machin & Sandra McNally & Jenifer Ruiz-Valenzuela, 2020. "Gender, achievement, and subject choice in English education," CVER Research Papers 032, Centre for Vocational Education Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:cverdp:032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Judith M. Delaney & Paul J. Devereux, 2022. "Gender Differences in STEM Persistence after Graduation," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 89(356), pages 862-883, October.
    2. K. Purdam & P. Troncoso & A. Morales-Gomez & G. Leckie, 2024. "Local Geographic Variations in Children’s School Readiness - A Multilevel Analysis of the Development Gaps in England," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(1), pages 145-176, February.
    3. Delaney, Judith M. & Devereux, Paul J., 2021. "Gender and Educational Achievement: Stylized Facts and Causal Evidence," IZA Discussion Papers 14074, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender gap; educational achievement; STEM;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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