The Relation Between Competency-Based Learning Environments and Gender Gaps in Study Success in Vocational Education in the Netherlands

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: Sociology of Education Roundtable

Abstract

We examine whether performance differences between boys and girls in Dutch vocational education is related to learning environments that emphasize competency-based learning. We use the recent stepwise introduction of such programs in Dutch vocational education to show the relation between competency-based learning environments and differing study success of boys and girls. We combine administrative data on the academic results of over half a million students who started vocational education between 2006 and 2011 with historical data on the introduction of competency-based qualification profiles in vocational education. Our analyses support the assumption that girls perform better in competency-based environments than boys, and that the improved performance of girls in Dutch vocational education can be attributed to the introduction of competency-based learning.

Authors

• Mark :Levels, Maastricht University

• Barbara Belfi, Maastricht University

• Rolf Van der Velden