- ISBN13: 9780814415344
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Boys are falling behind in school. The world has become more verbal; boys haven’t. Even in their traditionally strong subjects of science and math, boys are hit at a young age with new educational approaches, stressing high-level reading and writing goals that they are developmentally unable to achieve. The gap between male and female achievement has reached the college level, where only 40 per cent of graduates next year will be male. This doesn’t just mean fewer m… More >>
Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind
//Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind// authored by Richard Whitmore proclaims a problem in school systems nationwide. Boys are not making the grades. These boys become disciplinary problems and get suspended to avoid the embarrassment of anyone knowing that they can not read or write.
According to this research, these are not just poor minority boys. Many of them have affluent parents and some even work as professionals in educational institutions and their boys are included in a system that is failing. Why are the girls making the grades? Excuses such as “Boys will be boys” must end.
What are we going to do? Keep the boys on medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. Many of these boys drop out of school by the ninth grade. This problem has caused colleges to become the new high schools.
//Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind// presents frustration on many levels. This book makes you quizzical. Has the educational system really failed the boys? Have parents placed too much responsibility on the school system? What about the boys, your boys, your sons?
Reviewed by Vivian Dixon Sober
Rating: 5 / 5
This is the proverbial “elephant in the room” with Mr. Whitmire’s expose of this international crisis. His poignant description of the magnitude of this problem which has been documented by numerous studies with significant statistical data should attract the attention of every teacher and administrator in the U. S.!In my 35 years of educational experience, I began seeing the epidemic disaffection that boys were having for education of a conventional nature. I had no idea of the international scope of this crisis and I am totally perplexed by the illogicality of educators to recognize and deal with this gender gap illiteracy problem. He has analyzed the likely causes of the reading tribulations that boys are experiencing and debunked the symptoms that have been blamed. The blame game has been used as reasons for not tackling this problem as Mr. Whitmire so skillfully points out, but he sees definitive solutions which have been systematically used in some countries and in small pockets of the U.S. The fundamental consequences have already become apparent and other significant social consequences are beginning. It is imperative that parents and educators from pre-school to graduate/professional schools start a movement in this country to acknowledge and initiate solutions for this exponentially expanding problem with boys. I heartfully extol Mr. Whitmire’s valiant endeavor to expose this international educational crisis and I sincerely hope that we can make a major about face before it becomes too late. I would like to see a grassroots movement with parents and educators and I have become a “Why Boys Fail” disciple. Fellow educators – make your voices heard!
Rating: 5 / 5
Whether you have a son or not, this book offers crucial insight into one of the most important contemporary issues in our schools. Whitmire writes with passion and intelligence about the problem and some fascinating solutions.
Rating: 5 / 5
Richard Whitmire has given us a well thought-out overview of a subject that has gotten scant attention–the frightening falling off of boys’ academic achievement, particularly in comparison to girls.
Peppered with engaging stories and descriptions, Whitmire lays out the facts and examines popular hypotheses for the achievement gap between boys and girls. He comes to no definitive conclusions, but he lays out the case for inadequate reading instruction pretty powerfully.
My favorite parts involve descriptions of schools where there is no achievement gap–schools that focus on basic reading instruction as well as teaching a well-rounded curriculum by teachers who take care to make sure all their students learn. Seems so obvious.
Rating: 4 / 5
As the parent of a daughter and a son, I found the book immensely reassuring. I now understand why my very smart and fabulous son did not excel as well academically as he has in life outside the classroom. I wish I had known this years ago. It would have saved me sleepless nights and lots of worry. I hope the book impacts those who are in a position to effect change in the way we teach our boys.
Rating: 5 / 5