In high school, the gap grew to a yawning 21 points, with 61 percent of senior boys performing at the highest levels, compared to only 40 percent of senior girls. By 1994 girls had lost their early edge but had moved up in high school to within 5 points of boys. Performance levels vary by gender in math, just as in science. However, on high-stakes tests, such as the SAT, the gap is much greater. Although girls' performance on the math SAT has improved somewhat, College Board data show boys still outscored girls by 35 points in 1996, compared to 44 points in 1972.
Girls doubt their confidence in math and science more often than boys.
However, female students' participation rates decline once they enter postsecondary institutions, and steadily decrease as degree level increases. The gender gap persists in girls' science and math achievement as measured by the NAEP, starting small in elementary school, and increasing in high school. In high-stakes tests, such as the math SAT, large gaps persists, with girls scoring 35 points less than boys. Female students' low participation rates in math and science classes decline as they advance in higher education. As discussed in the section titled 'Access to Higher Education,' the drop in female students' participation rates in math and science likely is due, in part, to the hostile environment they encounter in these fields.