On March 16, 2009, President Obama issued Executive Order (EO) 13506 establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls (Council) for the purpose of providing a "coordinated Federal response to issues that particularly impact the lives of women and girls... [and] to ensure that Federal programs and policies address and take into account…

From writing the first Guidebooks for hockey, soccer, swimming, track and field, and basketball, to lobbying Congress to strive for equity and equal opportunities for girls, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) has been and continues to be the beacon in education to advance fairness and equity in sports. As NAGWS enters…

With whom does the American education system get high grades? For race and ethnicity, disparities are ever so prevalent. For socioeconomic status and family income, poor people never seem to get a fair share. For geographical location, inner city students are almost always underserved. Perhaps the one entity on which the system can boast is…

Examines level at which gender issues are addressed in middle school science classes. Argues that in the crucial area of science education, particularly for girls at the middle school level, "equal" rather than "equitable" as a dominant teacher attitude may be inadequate to ensure that gender imbalances are rectified. (SD)

Addresses the hypothesis that girls must receive advantaged treatment to achieve a level playing field in the area of science education. Expresses concern that: (1) the result of advantaged treatment is unknown; (2) too much emphasis is placed on the power of textbooks; and (3) too much emphasis is placed on sexism in science versus science in…

Argues that Chattin's criticism in fact illustrates the authors' stand that people are extremely uncomfortable with the idea of a proactive stance toward equity for groups that have traditionally held less than equal status. Addresses each concern, and reiterates that disadvantaged groups must now receive advantaged treatment to catch up. (SD)

Introduces this issue of Middle School Journal. Highlights articles presenting theories concerning how male and female adolescents face the development of self-concept, the dilemma of ensuring gender equity, as well as divergent perspectives on helping both genders develop positive self images about themselves as learners. (SD)