Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 29, 1992 TAG: 9203290104
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NEAL THOMPSON EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I think all of us were mildly surprised by the results of the study," Spagnolo said.
The study was done by the American Association of University Women. It made some shocking allegations about an unbalanced system of education that gives boys more opportunities and more attention than girls.
Yet, in Virginia, educators say that steps were taken years ago to prevent that type of gender bias, and that such disparities aren't widespread.
Spagnolo said his department conducted a survey of math and science courses in Virginia and found that more girls than boys are enrolled in higher-level math and science courses. Spagnolo said that differs from the findings in the AAUW study.
Spagnolo said gender equality is "a high priority for us," but that there appeared to be no blatant problem in Virginia schools.
The state Board of Education did, however, ask last week that the Department of Education take a closer look.
Dorothy Cooper, a Roanoke teacher and Roanoke Education Association president, suspects that older teachers may be more inclined to harbor the old biased attitudes, "because of the way we were raised and taught."
Cooper said that when she read recently about AAUW's findings on gender bias, she did a little soul searching, "because I'd hate to think that I did that. . . . I don't feel that I do it. I don't feel that most of the teachers today do it.
"I look at the abilities of the child, because I firmly believe a child can be anything he or she wants to be. . . . I hope that all teachers feel the same way."
by CNB