When elements of a good education are present, girls and boys succeed. Elements include small classes and schools, equitable teaching practices, and focused academic curriculum. Some kinds of single-sex programs produce positive results for some students, including a preference for math and science among girls. In fact, recent research seems to show that the gender gap between boys and girls has closed. As a result of these trends, boys rather than girls are now on the short end of the gender gap in many secondary school outcomes.
People often handle boys emotional and social needs inappropriately or inadequately.
When we observe boys' emotional worlds more closely, we discover much quiet suffering under their outward bravado. Boys generally prefer to learn by doing, by engaging in some action-oriented task. In learning environments biased against their strengths, boys may become frustrated and attempt to get their needs met by seeking negative attention. Teaching methods fail to take into account boys' unique learning styles. Many classes simply aren't conducted in a way boys, with their naturally high energy levels, find captivating.