Germany secondary education study shows shifting gender gaps in math and language grades

A study utilizing longitudinal data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) examines the gender-specific development of mathematics and language performance among students in grades 5 to 9 in Germany.

Research findings indicate that mathematics and German grades tend to decline during early secondary school, particularly in mathematics within the academic track. The study notes that because the decline in grades is more pronounced in boys than in girls, the gender gap in mathematics grades is decreasing, while the gap in German grades is increasing.

Despite these shifts in grades, the actual mathematics and reading competencies for both boys and girls show improvement during lower secondary education, with the competency gaps between genders remaining relatively stable.