Article Questions
Kate Broadley
Still failing at fairness: how gender bias cheats girls and boys in school
and what we can do about it
David Sadker, Myra Sadker & Karen Zittleman
The extent of gender bias in Americas education system is appalling, if the research and
anecdotes in Still failing at fairness are accurate. Sadker, Sadker and Kittleman explain
how gender stereotypes, sexism, and gender bias are prevalent at every level of
education, from kinder through to university. In 1994, the Sadkers published the first
edition of this text Failing at fairness. While it is clear that gender bias is not as blatant in
classrooms as it was a decade ago, Sexism is still a way of life in our schools gender
equity progress in the last few years has slowed down for women; for men, it has barely
started (Sadker et al., 2009, p. 58).
Seven chapters describe how gender bias short-circuits both boys and girls (Sadker et
al., 2009, p. 6); it is hard not to become dispirited when reading this text. A logical solution
to the entrenched gender-bias problem in coeducational schools is to educate students in
single-sex environments. The authors devote a chapter to this topic and are very
complimentary about the single-sex schools they visit. However, single-sex schooling is
not promoted as the panacea to gender bias. Sadker et al. are concerned about the
sudden interest in single-sex schooling in America since the changes to Title IX in 2006.
They warn that the stampede to single-sex classes is causing a dust storm of confusion
and maybe more than a little damage (2009, p. 284). This is a fair point, as with any
educational trend, the rush to implement new initiatives can mean the interests of students
are only a secondary consideration.
While the authors do not champion single-sex schooling, it is hard to read Still failing at
fairness without concluding that so much of the gender-bias that is presented would simply
not be found in single-sex schools. A recurring theme of gender bias in coeducational
settings is that boys receive the lions share of teacher time and attention in class (Sadker
et al., 2009, p. 105).
Still failing at fairness presents a sobering picture of how boys and girls are suffering from
gender bias in American schools. Much of the research would be applicable to Australian
schools, although it is hard to believe that the Australian system is as bad as the scenarios
painted by the authors. At the end of each chapter, suggestions about how to succeed at
fairness are listed. There are many practical ideas but they feel like a drop in the ocean.
Like David Chadwells A gendered choice, this text presents an interesting, well-
researched account of gender-bias in American schools. The authors are academics who
have extensive knowledge of the topic through their own studies and research. For
educators and parents in single-sex schools there is a certain level of comfort to be found
in reading Still failing at fairness. Despite the conclusions in the text, single-sex schools
Kate Broadley
are largely free of gender bias, which is one of the many benefits that girls will reap from
attending girls schools.
Sadker, D., Sadker, M., & Zittleman, K. (2009). Still failing at fairness: how gender bias cheats girls
and boys in schools and what we can do about it. New York: Scribner.
