The Impact of Peers' Motivation on the Gender Gap in Student Mathematics and Science Achievement

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

Abstract

This study is designed to explore the effects of peers’ motivation on student mathematics and science achievement. In particular, we try to answer two questions: (1) Does peers’ motivation have positive effects on student mathematics and science achievement? (2) Does peers’ motivation increase gender gap in mathematics and science achievement? We find some evidence that shows females got less benefit from their same-gender peers and thus the gender gap with respect to mathematics achievement increased in some specific country.

Authors

• Siwen Guo, Michigan State University

• Wei Li, University of Missouri - Columbia