ERIC Number: EJ1368436
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1083-6470
EISSN: N/A
Gender Bias in the Middle Level Classroom: The Intersection of Observation, Teacher Self-Perceptions, and Student Perceptions
Watson, Carol; Plump, Jenna; Durham, James
Journal of Research in Education, v31 n1 p124-150 Sum 2022
The middle level years (ages 9-15) are particularly critical for young adolescent students as they explore who they are, and how they fit into the world (AMLE, 2020). Developing an awareness and understanding of how genders are sometimes treated inequitably can have a significant impact on young adolescents' self-perceptions and developing sense of academic competency (Parker, 2010; Steensma et al., 2013). This investigation sought to incorporate student voice into the conversation by considering perspectives from both teachers and students, as well as documenting observable behaviors during regular classes. By intersecting these three data sources and analyzing for commonalities and disconnects, a more accurate picture of gender bias in middle level classrooms may result. Observational findings support existing research that teachers interact significantly more often with boys than with girls in general in both positive and negative ways. Teachers are aware and report that they do treat students of different genders differently but tend to focus on behavior/discipline as opposed to academic success. Student responses indicate that they perceive teachers to have a very stereotypical view of the content areas in which boys and girls excel, but this is not reflected in data collected from teachers about their own self-perceptions. Implications for classroom practice and further research are discussed.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Middle School Teachers, Social Cognition, Gender Bias, Gender Differences, Self Concept, Naturalistic Observation, Teacher Behavior, Teacher Student Relationship, Classroom Environment, Sex Stereotypes, Student Empowerment, Student Attitudes, Student Experience
Eastern Educational Research Association. George Watson, Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, College of Education and Professional Development, Huntington, WV 25755. e-mail: eerajournal@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.eeraorganization.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A