Attitudes and Career Interests of Junior High School Mathematics Students: Implications for the Classroom

During the 1970s. various political, cultural, and academic factors joined to thrust the topic of sex differences in achievement in mathematics to national attention. At the same time, research has served to refine attitudinal instruments and to relate cultural and societal influences to sex differences in mathematics. The junior high school years are Important to study because sex-role identification becomes more prominent, and crucial educational choices are made at this stage. Surprisingly, a study by Benbow and Stanley (1980) has suggested that the mathematical experiences of both males and females are identical until the junior high school years. The junior high school teacher, especially, becomes cognizant that different foctors are Influencing students during these early adolescent years.