A New Look (Again) at Gifted Girls and Mathematics Achievement

Despite improvement in mathematics achievement test scores for females in general, there persists a gender gap in the achievement test scores among the gifted. “Old” perspectives on the problem, including biological or psychological differences and a broad problem definition, are no longer helpful or supported by the research data. The Autonomous Learning Behavior (ALB) model is presented as an alternative model to explain the continued presence of the gap and as a basis for finding effective solutions. Ideas for change and some new avenues for research are proposed, consistent with the ALB framework.