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Is there a "boy crisis" in American education today? After a quarter-century of efforts to improve girls' achievement, a growing chorus of authors, educators, and the media say boys are falling behind in school and college. But are boys really in trouble? A recent Education Sector "Evidence Suggests Otherwise" argued that the answer is no. While boys trail girls on many academic measures, boys are actually improving on these measures—girls are just improving faster. There are reasons to be concerned about some groups of boys—particularly low-income and minority boys, and those with disabilities—but broad concerns about a "boy crisis" are misguided and perhaps distract attention from the groups of boys who need help the most. These conclusions, however, are hardly universally agreed upon, and gender gaps in educational achievement remain a contentious issue.

This Education Sector debate will bring together leading experts on both sides of the "boy crisis" in a wide-ranging discussion of this important and complicated issue. The debate will address a number of key questions, including:

• Should we be concerned about boys?
  

• How are gender gaps similar to or different from racial achievement gaps?
  

• Why has boys' performance been ignored for so long. Why is it getting so much attention now?
  

• What more do we need to know?
  

• What are the roles of biology, culture, and schools in driving gender achievement gaps?
  

• What are the practical implications for parents, educators and policymakers?
  

This Education Sector debate will feature:

Thomas Toch, Co-director, Education Sector (introductions)
Ruth Wattenberg, Editor, American Educator and American Federation of Teachers (as moderator)
Harry Holzer, Professor of Public Policy, Georgetown University
Sara Mead, Senior Policy Analyst, Education Sector
Richard Whitmire, Editorial Writer, USA Today, and author of the article "Boy Trouble"

WHEN:
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, 1:00 to 2:30 PM

WHERE: 
Holeman Lounge, National Press Club
529 14th Street, NW 13th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20045
(closest metro stop is Metro Center)