This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Ayalon, H. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Mathematics and Sciences Course Taking Among Arab Students in Israel: A Case of Unexpected Gender Equality

Tel Aviv University

Using multilevel analysis on a sample of academic-track 12th graders in 1989, this article compares gender inequality in course taking of mathematics and sciences in Arab and Jewish high schools. The findings show that gender inequality is almost nonexistent in Arab schools, whereas it is very prominent in Jewish, particularly secular, schools. The differences in gender inequality are explained by the differences in the curriculum. In contrast with Jewish high schools that offer a rich curriculum, Arab schools offer few advanced courses in humanities and social sciences. Consequently, male and female students who wish to take advanced courses have to choose mathematics and sciences. The findings point to a sociological paradox; the poor curriculum of Arab high schools enhances the chances of Arab female students to be exposed to highly valued knowledge. These findings shed an additional light on the beneficial effect that a restricted curriculum can have for members of disadvantaged groups.

Key Words: Arab schools • course taking • inequality • Israel • Jewish schools • math • multilevel analysis • religious schools • sciences • secondary education

Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Vol. 24, No. 1, 63-80 (2002)
DOI: 10.3102/01623737024001063


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Gabay-Egozi, Y. Shavit, and M. Yaish Curricular Choice: A Test of a Rational Choice Model of Education Eur. Sociol. Rev., June 5, 2009; (2009) jcp031v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Addi-Raccah and H. Ayalon From High School to Higher Education: Curricular Policy and Postsecondary Enrollment in Israel Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, March 1, 2008; 30(1): 31 - 50. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]