Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That's Leaving Them Behind - Paperback

by Richard Whitmire (Author)

This book takes a hard look at how this ominous reality came to be, how it has worsened in recent years, and why attempts to resolve it often devolve into finger-pointing and polarizing politics.

The signs and statistics are undeniable: boys are falling behind in school. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the biggest culprits are not video games, pop culture, or female-dominated schools biased toward girls. The real problem is that boys have been thrust into a bewildering new school environment that demands high-level reading and writing skills long before they can handle them.

In Why Boys Fail, you will understand this misunderstood problem and uncover schools that are getting it right by boosting literacy among the entire student body, using:

• data,
• interviews,
• case studies,
• and clearheaded analysis

Amidst the alarming proof of failure among boys, there are also inspiring case studies of schools where something is going right. Each has come up with realistic ways to make sure that every student-male and female-has the tools to succeed in school and later in life.

Educators and parents alike will take heart in these promising developments and heed the book's call to action, not only to demand solutions but also to help create them for their own students and children.

Back Jacket

A brilliant new book....I don't know of a clearer or more balanced examination of this issue...recommendations at the end of the book are sensible, creative, and overdue. -- Washington Post

Fifth graders in special ed, ninth graders retained, high school dropouts, college graduates--however you slice the numbers, they don't look good for boys, who are performing far below girls across the socioeconomic spectrum. What's driving their academic decline? Richard Whitmire picks apart the prevailing theories as to what's happening and pinpoints the real reason why: Classrooms have grown increasingly verbal, but boys have not. From heightened kindergarten reading expectations to language-dense math problems, many boys lack the reading and writing skills needed to keep pace. Why Boys Fail supplies data, interviews, case studies, and clearheaded analysis to both document this widely misunderstood problem and uncover schools that are getting it right by boosting literacy among the entire student body. This is eye-opening reading for parents and educators alike. Richard Whitmire is a former editorial writer for USA Today and president of the National Educational Writers Association. A highly recognized and respected education reporter, his commentaries have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New Republic, and U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Bee Eater: Michelle Rhee Takes on the Nation's Worst School District.

Author Biography

RICHARD WHITMIRE is a former editorial writer for USA Today and President of the National Educational Writers Association. A highly recognized and respected education reporter, his commentaries have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New Republic, U.S. News & World Report, Politico, Washington Monthly, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Education Week. He also appeared on National Public Radio's Morning Edition to discuss boy troubles. He is the author of The Bee Eater: Michelle Rhee Takes on the Nation's Worst School District.