Dr. Helen reports on why homeschooled boys do well with reading

Historically boys have been readers. All the Hardy Boys and Tom Swifts were not read by girls. But over the last couple decades there has been a noticeable decline in the percentage of boys who read.

Alert Dr. Helen found a good article which explains part of the problem: public schools tend to have books more interesting for girls. Over time boys in public schools just tune out.

The problem is with how public schools are run, not with boys. The article explains:

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Educational consultant Joe Manthey, who led a workshop through the Napa County Office of Education about educating male students, cites the almost nonexistent gender gap for home-schooled students in English as proof that schools are part of the problem.
The reason that home-schooled boys score as well as their female counterparts in English is twofold, said Manthey. First, they are more likely to be given a choice in their reading material. Second, “they’re less likely to fall through the cracks,” he said.
Manthey’s research shows that boys are more inclined to read nonfiction than fiction, and are more likely to relate to subjects related to science, sports and stories that revolve around male characters.
“Then you see boys required to read books like ‘The Joy Luck Club,’” he said, referring to the book by Amy Tan about immigrant mothers and daughters.
It’s no wonder, said Manthey, that boys tune out in English class.
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If you have a son in a public school who is struggling with reading, consider homeschooling. He could learn to love reading.


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