Since the 1950s, female students have surpassed their male peers at increasingly unprecedented levels in the classroom. This is displayed throughout all levels of education but is most detrimental in college as women now significantly outnumber males. Tutoring companies are seeing a massive uptick in parents seeking services for middle-school-aged boys lacking personal organization skills and motivation.
Middle school is a critical developmental period for learning. If a student falls behind in middle school they are much less likely to succeed in high school and go on to college. Although this trend began nearly 70 years ago, the pandemic has expanded the gap. Despite reading and math test scores declining for both girls and boys since the pandemic, the impact seems to affect boys the most. Post-pandemic, there is nearly a 23% increase in middle-school-aged boys requiring pricey tutoring sessions to improve their organizational skills and learn how to unlock their motivation.
Research shows that the negative consequences of technology use during the pandemic are more harmful for boys. Boys tend to seek technology for video games, while girls more commonly use it to communicate and seek support or connection from others. This desire for approval can help girls in the classroom by motivating them to work for positive feedback from peers and teachers. Another crucial component is the fact that young boys are being diagnosed with ADHD at 2x the rate of young girls, which has an obvious effect on boys’ learning experience.
Many of these problems are causing strife for all students, not just boys. However, it’s important to recognize that boys are falling behind more than ever and the gap continues to grow. Many believe that vocational schools are the answer. Vocational schools allow boys to hone in on what matters most to them, piquing their interest and leading to higher levels of dedication and commitment. There isn’t one magic solution to this problem, so parents must be hyper-vigilant of the potential roadblocks their pre-teen boys face to best help them find the route to success.