Failing to take upper level courses, including calculus, physics and trigonometry limits students' future career opportunities by about 75 percent, she said. Young women who fail to complete upper level math and science courses must take those classes at the college level, delaying graduation by one to two years. School officials and parents often discourage female students from enrolling in difficult classes in order to enjoy their senior year of high school. Influential adults often tell young girls that they shouldn't be pouring all their time into tough classes when there are football games to attend, proms to prepare for and homecoming courts to be elected to, Adams said. We want our young men to prepare for law or medical school, while we are telling the young women to get ready for marriage and children.
Parents can help their academically gifted daughters by advocating change in the classroom.
Parents need to advocate for our daughters just as they would for their sons. Parents also should enroll their daughters in upper level math and science classes, Adams said.