Gendered Teacher Expectations of Mathematics Achievement in New Zealand: Contributing to a Kink at the Base of the STEM Pipeline?

Authors

  • Penelope Winifred StJohn Watson The University of Auckland
  • Christine Margaret Rubie-Davies The University of Auckland
  • Kane Meissel The University of Auckland
  • Annaline Flint The University of Auckland
  • Elizabeth Ruth Peterson The University of Auckland
  • Lynda Garrett The University of Auckland
  • Lyn McDonald The University of Auckland

Keywords:

teacher expectations, gender, mathematics, STEM

Abstract

Women remain under-represented in mathematics-related domains, despite demonstrating that their ability in these domains is equal to that of men. Teacher expectation has been identified as one factor that may explain differences in student outcomes, and student gender has been influential in shaping such expectation. However, while the association between teacher gender and mathematics achievement has been explored, there exists a paucity of studies that have probed how teacher gender relates to teacher expectations of mathematics 1903achievement. The current study was conducted with a sample of elementary schools in New Zealand, a national context where the implementation of policies advocating educational gender equity has been criticized as ineffective. Differentiated male and female teacher expectations, and the influence of teacher—student gender match and mismatch on teacher expectations of student achievement in mathematics, were explored using hierarchical linear modelling. In addition, the study explored whether such teacher expectations supported an intention to foster educational gender equity, or reflected stereotypical gender norms that ran counter to that intent. The current study found that teacher gender was associated significantly with teacher expectations of student achievement in mathematics, revealing possible implications for males in the teaching profession, and for female students’ future involvement in mathematics and related fields.&

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Author Biographies

  • Penelope Winifred StJohn Watson, The University of Auckland

    Penelope Watson is a Lecturer at the School of Learning, Development, and Professional Practice, Faculty of Education, the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

  • Christine Margaret Rubie-Davies, The University of Auckland
    Christine Rubie-Davies is an Associate Professor at the School of Learning, Developement and Professional Practice, The Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Annaline Flint, The University of Auckland
    Annaline Flint is a lecturer at the School of Learning, Developement and Professional Practice, The Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Elizabeth Ruth Peterson, The University of Auckland
    Elizabeth Peterson is a senior lecturer at the Department of Psychology, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Lynda Garrett, The University of Auckland
    Lynda Garrett is a senior&lecturer at the School of Learning, Developement and Professional Practice, The Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Lyn McDonald, The University of Auckland
    Lyn McDonald&is a senior&lecturer at the School of Learning, Developement and Professional Practice, The Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
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Published

26-10-2015

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Special Issue: Gendered Motivation and Choice in STEM

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How to Cite

Gendered Teacher Expectations of Mathematics Achievement in New Zealand: Contributing to a Kink at the Base of the STEM Pipeline?. (2015). International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, 8(1), 82-102. https://genderandset.open.ac.uk/index.php/genderandset/article/view/394