Applying material from Item A, analyse two reasons for gender difference in achievement (10 marks)

Firstly, as stated in Item A, the impact of feminism has led to major shift in attitudes towards education. Sue Sharpe showed there had been a massive shift in priorities from the 1950s to the 1990s – girls considered education more important than family. Feminism has challenged stereotypes, in both school literature like textbooks, and in the media (e.g. magazines no longer focus on homemaking but successful career women). Feminists provide positive role models for girls to strive towards – part of this may be through educational achievement. Also, feminism has contributed to the changes in legislation that have increased women’s opportunities in the workplace e.g. Equal Pay Act. These changes and opportunities have made it easier for girls to stay on in school and girls now feel more motivated to achieve. This has been coupled with the decline of traditional male jobs – women have more career opportunities as their skills are increasingly sought-after, e.g. teamwork and flexibility.

Secondly, the introduction of GCSEs and in particular coursework, means subjects are now taught in a way that is more accessible to girls. Their developed literacy skills (through childhood bedroom culture) and increased empathy and listening skills means they outperform boys in oral components, and their increased attention to detail and better timekeeping means their coursework is usually of a higher standard and thus receives higher marks. However, much coursework is being replaced with a return to final exams, so will girls’ achievement continue to outperform boys for much longer?