WHY DID IRANIAN GIRLS PERFORM BETTER THAN BOYS IN MATHEMATICS?

Abstract

Research literature on gender differences in math shows that male advantage in
mathematics achievement is a universal phenomenon. One of the most
remarkable results of two international studies, i.e., TIMSS 1999 and TIMSS
2003 (Trends in Internatioaal Mathematics and Science Study), for hanian
fourth and eighth graders is that boys' math achievement score had a significant
decrease and that of girls a significant improvement. The focus of the present
study was on changes in Iranian boys' and girls' math achievement in TIMSS 99
and 2003 in grade eight and it sought to identi$ different predictor variables
which might have resulted in girls' higher nmttematics achievement.

Keywords: Matlematics Achievement; Gender Differences; Math Self-Concept;
Attitudes towards lvlath