Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System Thats Leaving Them Behind

Selected as one of the Top 5 Educational Books by Literacy News

The signs and statistics are undeniable: boys are falling behind in school. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the biggest culprits are not video games, pop culture, or female-dominated schools biased toward girls. The real problem is that boys have been thrust into a bewildering new school environment that demands high-level reading and writing skills long before they are capable of handling them.

Lacking the ability to compete, boys fall farther and farther behind. Eventually, the problem gets pushed into college, where close to 60% of the graduates are women. In a time when even cops, construction foremen, and machine operators need post-high school degrees, that’s a problem.

Why Boys Fail takes a hard look at how this ominous reality came to be, how it has worsened in recent years, and why attempts to resolve it often devolve into finger-pointing and polarizing politics.

But the book also shares some good news. Amidst the alarming proof of failure among boys—around the world—there are also inspiring case studies of schools where something is going right. Each has come up with realistic ways to make sure that every student—male and female—has the tools to succeed in school and later in life. Educators and parents alike will take heart in these promising developments, and heed the book’s call to action—not only to demand solutions but also to help create them for their own students and children.

“"…thorough, thought-provoking look at the increasing achievement gap between boys and girls…engaging read…offers arguments that could be used by…youth advocates to fund literacy and related programs for boys." --Voya”

..". brilliant new book... I don't know of a clearer or more balanced examination of this issue...recommendations at the end of the book are sensible, creative and overdue..." --Washington Post
..". excellent overview of the subject, examining how environmental factors, school policies, and parenting approaches can lead to gender gaps in education." --Literacy News
..". parent of a son, school reform advocate, elementary school teacher, or, most importantly a school administrator or member of ...school boards...you need to read this book." --Tucson Citzen
..".addresses an important, and neglected, problem in our schools. Teachers and administrators should pay close attention to what Whitmire has to say." --Washington Times
..".excellent starting point for examining a problem that could have long lasting consequences if it's not addressed soon....insightful look into a serious deficit in our educational system..." --Bismarck Tribune
..".provocative and useful new book..." --Diverse Issues in Higher Education
..".subject matter is compelling...sound advice--recommended for parents, educators, and others advocating for innovation and flexibility in their educational situations." --Library Journal
..".thorough, thought-provoking look at the increasing achievement gap between boys and girls...engaging read...offers arguments that could be used by...youth advocates to fund literacy and related programs for boys." --Voya
Chosen by The American School Board magazine as one of 2010's Top Education Reads
"Armed with data, interviews, case studies, and analysis Richard Whitmire explores why boys fail in school...An eye-opening read for educators and parents." --District Administration magazine
"The gender gap will certainly be a difficult problem to overcome...but hopefully this book will help pave the way for a better understanding." --Geekdad blog on wired.com
"This is why we need reporters...an unbiased look at what is and isn't working in schools. Plenty of real stories and real journalism." --guysread.com
Selected as one of the Top 5 Educational Books by Literacy News.

RICHARD WHITMIRE is a former editorial writer for USA Today and President of the National Educational Writers Association. A highly recognized and respected education reporter, his commentaries have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New Republic, U.S. News World Report, Politico, Washington Monthly, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Education Week. He also appeared on National Public Radio's Morning Edition to discuss boy troubles. He is the author of The Bee Eater: Michelle Rhee Takes on the Nation's Worst School District.

"A brilliant new book....I don't know of a clearer or more balanced examination of this issue...recommendations at the end of the book are sensible, creative, and overdue." -- Washington Post Fifth graders in special ed, ninth graders retained, high school dropouts, college graduates--however you slice the numbers, they don't look good for boys, who are performing far below girls across the socioeconomic spectrum. What's driving their academic decline? Richard Whitmire picks apart the prevailing theories as to what's happening and pinpoints the real reason why: Classrooms have grown increasingly verbal, but boys have not. From heightened kindergarten reading expectations to language-dense math problems, many boys lack the reading and writing skills needed to keep pace. Why Boys Fail supplies data, interviews, case studies, and clearheaded analysis to both document this widely misunderstood problem and uncover schools that are getting it right by boosting literacy among the entire student body. This is eye-opening reading for parents and educators alike. Richard Whitmire is a former editorial writer for USA Today and president of the National Educational Writers Association. A highly recognized and respected education reporter, his commentaries have been published in The Wall Street Journal , The Washington Post , The New Republic , and U.S. News & World Report . He is the author of The Bee Eater: Michelle Rhee Takes on the Nation's Worst School District.

Selected as one of the Top 5 Educational Books by Literacy News The signs and statistics are undeniable: boys are falling behind in school. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the biggest culprits are not video games, pop culture, or female-dominated schools biased toward girls. The real problem is that boys have been thrust into a bewildering new school environment that demands high-level reading and writing skills long before they are capable of handling them. Lacking the ability to compete, boys fall farther and farther behind. Eventually, the problem gets pushed into college, where close to 60% of the graduates are women. In a time when even cops, construction foremen, and machine operators need post-high school degrees, that's a problem. Why Boys Fail takes a hard look at how this ominous reality came to be, how it has worsened in recent years, and why attempts to resolve it often devolve into finger-pointing and polarizing politics. But the book also shares some good news. Amidst the alarming proof of failure among boys-around the world-there are also inspiring case studies of schools where something is going right. Each has come up with realistic ways to make sure that every student-male and female-has the tools to succeed in school and later in life. Educators and parents alike will take heart in these promising developments, and heed the book's call to action-not only to demand solutions but also to help create them for their own students and children.

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