In 2014, a nationally representative sample of approximately 21,500 eighth graders across the country took a test created by the National Assessment of Educational Progress to see how they use technology to solve real-world problems. The results, reported in The Wall Street Journal, indicate 45 percent of girls scored proficient or higher on the test, compared to 42 percent of boys.
The test is completed on a computer and asks students to solve problems related to designing, troubleshooting and creating data using technology and engineering.
The results indicate girls demonstrated better collaboration, design and communication skills than boys, according to the report.
Still, the low proficiency rates overall underscore a national concern for lagging interest and competency in the science, technology, engineering and math fields, said Vince Bertram, who leads a nonprofit that provides science and technology curricula to districts, in the report. “We have a skills gap and an aspirations gap,” he said.
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