Multiculturalism Abstracts
M. Birenbaum and R. Kraemer,Gender and ethnic-group differences in causal attributions for success and failure in mathematics and language examinations
In a study of 333 ninth grade Jewish and Arab high school students in Israel, to determine how they attribute failure and success in mathematics and English, Arabic and Hebrew language examinations show that ethnicity is the primary cause of different attribution patterns. Gender plays a secondary role in success attributions. The endorsement level of Arab students was higher for success attributions and lower for failure attributions for all four subjects
V. I. Cherian,Gender, socioeconomic status, and mathematics achievement by Xhosa children
A study of gender and socioeconomic status differences in mathematics achievement revealed that girls from low socioeconomic status performed better than boys belonging to their economic class, whereas boys belonging to middle or high socioeconomic status performed better than girls. This was because girls from low socioeconomic status have to do household chores and they are trained to be a wife, a housekeeper and mother. Boys belonging to low socioeconomic status travel a lot, as a result of which they experience fatigue and are not able study.
M. Elias,Programs give math and science majors a needed boost
Although experts indicate that black college students and women preparing for math-related careers are endangered species on US campuses, some cutting-edge programs are out there aiming to guarantee they survive and thrive.
G. Lappan, L. H. Reyes, and G. M. A. Stanic,Gender and race equity in primary and middle school mathematics classrooms
Ability --Testing
Discrimination in education --Analysis
Hispanic American students --Testing
Educational tests and measurements --Social aspects
African American students --Testing
Mathematics --Study and teaching
Minority students --Testing
J. F. Rech,A comparison of the mathematics attitudes of black students according to grade level, gender, and academic achievement
The attitudes of a group of elementary and junior high school Black students toward mathematics are examined and compared by grade level, gender and degree of academic success. Higher-achieving eighth-grade Black students have poorer mathematics attitudes than the other groups, specifically on perception of teacher, anxiety toward math and enjoyment of the subject. Educators and parents should develop interest in mathematics among Black students. They should be shown the importance of a strong mathematics education.
J. Xu and E. Farrell,Mathematics performance of Shanghai high school students: a preliminary look at gender differences in another culture.
A study was conducted to examine whether there are gender differences in mathematical performance within Asian cultures. The subject of this study are 147 male and 122 female high school graduating students who took the China Regents Competency Mathematics Examination (CRCME). Results show that there are no gender differences in both the prehigh school tests and the CRCME. Since the results are not conclusive, more extensive researches are needed on this topic.