Girls and Mathematics : The New Math Program / Greetje van der Werf.

In the Netherlands, a mathematical curriculum change has occurred in the secondary (grammar) school. The new curriculum consists of two programs, Math A and Math B. Students can choose one or both of these programs. Math A prepares for university studies in humanities and economics, while Math B pre...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: van der Werf, Greetje
Corporate Author: State Univ. of Groningen (Netherlands). Inst. for Educational Research
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, 1986.
Subjects:
Educational Research.
Females.
Foreign Countries.
Mathematics Curriculum.
School Choice.
Secondary Education.
Secondary School Mathematics.
Sex Differences.
Student Attitudes.
Mathematics Education Research > Netherlands
Reports, Research.
Speeches/Meeting Papers.
Genre:
Reports, Research.
Speeches/Meeting Papers.
Physical Description:21 pages
Format: Microfilm Book
Description
Summary:
In the Netherlands, a mathematical curriculum change has occurred in the secondary (grammar) school. The new curriculum consists of two programs, Math A and Math B. Students can choose one or both of these programs. Math A prepares for university studies in humanities and economics, while Math B prepares for studies in science, technics, agriculture, and medicine. The first results of the effects of the new curriculum, now used in 52 grammar schools, are reported in this paper. It was found that girls choose more mathematics than before. A similar but less evident effect was found for boys. Girls also choose more Math A, while boys choose more Math B, or both courses. Students, especially girls, who follow Math A perceived the subject less as a male domain than those who follow the traditional program. There is no effect of Math A on perceived relevance and perceived own abilities. It is concluded that the new curriculum has a positive effect on the choice of mathematics by girls, but girls appear to choose Math A to exclude themselves from many university studies. Results of Math A on attitudes toward mathematics should be interpreted with care. Several tables are included. (MNS)
Note:ERIC Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (67th, San Francisco, CA, April 16-20, 1986).
Microform.
Call Number:ED276615 Microfiche
Audience:
Researchers. ericd
Reproduction Note:
Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.