International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education
Editors: A/Prof John Lidstone, Queensland University of Technology and Prof Joseph P. Stoltman, Western Michigan University
Book Review Editor: Dr Sarah Witham Bednarz, Texas A & M University
Editorial Assistant: Donna Bennett, Australia
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Volume: 13 Number: 4 Page: 329–347
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Boys’ Underachievement in Geography: An Issue of Ability, Attitude or Assessment?
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Graham Butt1, Paul Weeden1 and Phil Wood2
1School of Education, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK and 2The Deepings School, Park Road, Deeping St James, Peterborough, PE6 8NF, UK
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Considerable evidence now exists of the problem of boys’ underachievement in a wide range of academic subjects, including geography. This paper offers examples of, and suggests tentative solutions to, problems of underachievement based on the findings generated by a research project conducted in an English secondary school. In so doing it raises questions about the ways in which geography is often taught and assessed, and considers the extent to which these factors determine the different levels of performance of the genders. We conclude by questioning whether the readily observed gender differences in assessed performance in geography are predominantly related to the students’ innate abilities, attitudes or to the types of assessment regularly used to measure their levels of attainment.
Keywords: underachievement, gender, ability, attitude, assessment
© 2004 G. Butt et al.
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