Where are our gifted girls?

There is essentially no difference between the degree of giftedness of girls and boys, however far more boys are identified as gifted.

The recent EXPLORE testing prompted me to look anew at the children whose parents had sought consultations with Thinking Ahead  in the past 5 years or so.

Only 38% were girls.

Checking other samples in Australia and the USA, this pattern is repeated (40% girls reported by the Gifted Develpopment Centre in the USA, 42% girls reported by Fiona Smith of Gifted Minds in Australia).

Of the students who registered for the EXPLORE test this year, about 28% were girls, slightly up on last year where it was a little under 20%.

Both teachers and parents identify giftedness in boys more often than in girls. As boys are also more likely to act out their frustrations when curriculum does not meet their needs than girls, perhaps this accounts for it in part. Perhaps it is that many gifted girls choose to blend in from an early age, tend to sit still and do neat work and so slip by unnoticed.  Perhaps compliance is mistaken for 'happiness' with the situation. Maybe it is just that many people still dont expect to see giftedness in girls.

It is a real shame if the 'glass ceiling' exists low enough and early enough to distract us from seeking out and encouraging our gifted girls and boys equally and providing opportunities to develop their talents and potential.