One of the biggest talking points in the wake of the release of TIMSS 2023 was data that showed a widening gender gap in favor of boys in mathematics. In a concerning reversal of progress toward gender equality in mathematics achievement, TIMSS 2023 saw the share of education systems where boys statistically significantly outperformed girls at its highest level since the inception of TIMSS in 1995.
The new IEA Compass Brief, the 30th in the series, delves further into this topic. Developed in collaboration with UNESCO, 'Girls Losing Ground: The Widening Gender Gap in Mathematics' utilizes data from education systems that took part in TIMSS from 1995 to 2023 at fourth and eighth grade to investigate how gender gaps in mathematics achievement have evolved over time.
The analyses consider gender gaps at both ends of the achievement scale, looking at high and low performing students, and underlines the need for early, sustained, and differentiated responses to address the worrying trend of girls losing ground in mathematics.
Underlining the social and economic consequences associated with gender gaps in mathematics achievement, UNESCO are shining a spotlight on the findings of the new Compass Brief as they mark the annual International Girls in ICT Day. Girls’ underrepresentation in ICT is rooted in early gaps in foundational skills, particularly mathematics.
'Girls Losing Ground: The Widening Gender Gap in Mathematics' can be downloaded here.