In 1993, the average earnings of female high school graduates aged 25 to 34 years old were 37 percent lower than those of male graduates of the same age. Differences in progression rates, types of courses taken, level of effort, academic achievement, and field of study may all affect the labor market opportunities of women relative to men. Below, we summarize these educational differences, focusing on those that research has shown to be related to labor market outcomes. Generally, females start school at an earlier age than males and are less likely to fall behind. Females are less likely to have repeated a grade than males.
Females are far less likely than males to be enrolled in special education programs.
For example, in 1992, average reading proficiency for females was 12 scale points higher than for males. To understand the magnitude of this difference, it is helpful to look at the difference in proficiency scores across ages in 1992. Although both females and males have made gains in mathematics and science achievement since 1982, the gender gap for these subjects has not narrowed measurably. Sophomore females were less likely than males to report coming to school without basic supplies in 1992. In 1988, eighth-grade females were more likely than males to report talking to their parents about selecting courses, about their school activities, and about their class studies.