How Janet and John feel about reading: Gender differences in New Zealand primary students' attitude to reading

Abstract

The differing achievement levels of boys and girls in New Zealand schools is a cause for concern. This is especially true in the areas of literacy, where the greatest differences in the achievement of boys and girls are occurring. The attitudes and motivations of students in a learning area have a strong impact on their academic achievement. This article examines the differences between the responses to a survey on attitudes towards reading carried out as part of the National Education Monitoring Project. Although some important differences emerged, overall the enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of, reading by both boys and girls is encouraging.