EQUAL ATTENTION TO GIRLS IN CLASS IS SEMINAR TOPIC

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 2, 1993                   TAG: 9302020136
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium
EQUAL ATTENTION TO GIRLS IN CLASS IS SEMINAR TOPIC
About 55 people - most of them women - showed up early Saturday to discuss the question: "Do Our Schools Shortchange Girls?"
Carol Burger, director of the Women's Resource Center at Virginia Tech, said she was pleased with the turnout and positive response to the seminar, sponsored by the American Association of University Women.
"We now have 55 people who will go to other people and say, `We were at the most interesting seminar the other day.' " she said.
The seminar examined and discussed the results of a report by the AAUW that said teachers - often in subtle ways - show preference to boys in education.
This is especially apparent in math and science, according to the report, and statistics have shown marked declines in female enrollments in such courses after middle school.
"We have learned that they have very good will and are trying to be good teachers, but [the bias] is so subtle you don't see it," Burger said.
June Clowes, a teacher at Christiansburg Middle School and a panelist, talked about what she called the "free-fall of females from math and science" she has noticed in schools.
As a math and science teacher, Clowes is disturbed that so many girls lose interest in these subjects upon entering high school.
"It would be interesting research to study the negative impacts on so many girls, with only a few not being affected," she said.
Burger said more than one seminar is needed to teach educators how to recognize sex bias. In fact, the Montgomery County Focus 2006 project is planning a committee to study all biases, including sex bias. Burger and other members of the AAUW were asked to participate on this task force.
For further information on sex equity in education, call the Women's Program office at Virginia Tech, 231-7615.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB