TIMSS 2007 – How are we all doing in math? – squareCircleZ

The part I find most encouraging in Murray Bourne’s discussion of the latest TIMSS 2007 report on mathematics performance around the world is the distribution of gender differences – in particular the fact that the relative performance of females is stronger most especially in a number of Islamic countries. My top-of-the-head explanation for this is that perhaps mathematics is seen as relatively value-free (and perhaps more artistic than useful) and so is something that females can study without attracting adverse attention, and also perhaps that religious education is seen as more of a male prerogative. If so, then perhaps that portends a wonderful change of culture over the next generation as those with the greater power of reason will eventually find a way to take more control of their society.

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