Compares the achievement in science for ninth grade students in China and the United States. Reveals a small difference between the two groups and presents a rationale for the comparison. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Reports a study that investigated gender equity in science education based on a random national sample of over 12,000 ninth graders in five rural and urban Chinese provinces. Data analysis found significant gender differences in science achievement in all five provinces, with males receiving higher scores. (SM)