Book Description

This statistical report responds to a request by Congress for a report on educational equity for girls and women. The report assembles a series of indicators that examine the extent to which males and females have access to the same educational opportunities, avail themselves of these opportunities, perform at the same level, succeed at the same rate, and obtain the same benefits. Data are drawn mainly from surveys conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics. The report begins with an overview that summarizes the major findings. A series of 44 indicators follows, beginning with preparation for school and moving through elementary and secondary education to postsecondary education, with a consideration of outcomes of education. Data show that in school and in college females are now doing as well or better than males on many indicators, and that the large gaps in educational attainment that once existed between men and women have in most cases been eliminated, and in others have significantly decreased. Women continue to lag behind males in mathematics and science achievement in high school, and they are less likely to major in these fields in college. Women are still under-represented in doctoral and first-degree professional programs, although they have made substantial gains in the last 25 years. (Contains 57 tables and 63 figures.) (SLD)