Boys are falling behind in school. What would help?

August 3, 2026 - 03:01

The gap between boys and girls in education has become one of the most talked-about issues in American schooling, and the numbers are hard to ignore. Girls consistently earn higher grades, graduate at higher rates, and enroll in college at higher rates than their male classmates. The question is no longer whether the gap exists, but what to do about it.

An author who has written extensively on this subject recently sat down with the Deseret News to talk through the problem and possible solutions. He argued that the issue is not that boys are less intelligent, but that the modern school environment often works against the way many boys naturally learn. He pointed to a few key factors: too much sedentary time, a heavy focus on early reading skills before many boys are developmentally ready, and a lack of male role models in elementary classrooms. The author also noted that boys are more likely to be disciplined for behavioral issues, which can push them out of the learning process entirely.

What would help, he said, is not a radical overhaul but a set of practical changes. More recess and physical movement during the day, later school start times for middle and high school students, and a deliberate effort to recruit more male teachers would all make a difference. He also stressed the importance of giving boys a clear sense of purpose and allowing them to pursue hands-on projects that connect to real-world skills.

The author was careful to say that this is not about blaming teachers or pitting boys against girls. It is about recognizing that one size does not fit all and that the current system, while working well for many girls, is leaving too many boys behind. He ended with a simple call to action: pay attention to the data, listen to the boys themselves, and be willing to try something different. The cost of doing nothing, he warned, is a generation of young men who check out of school and never find their footing.