The Paradoxical Relation of TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) Gender Differences in Mathematics and the Gender Inequality Index

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Women, Gender Gaps, and Education

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between Girl-Boy differences in mathematics achievement and attitudes and the UN’s new Gender Inequality Index (GII) for all countries in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011 database (48 countries at grade 4 and 42 countries at grade 8). Paradoxically, the results show a strong negative relationship between GII and girl-boy differences in math achievement and attitude, that is, girls do better in countries with the greatest inequality as measured by the GII. Results show a strong regional difference corresponding to Middle Eastern classification, with particularly pronounced results at grade 4.

Author

• Thomas P. Hogan, University of Scranton