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Additional Barriers

What’s more, female students face sexual discrimination, harassment and assault. A 2011 ��ɫ survey found 56% of female students experienced sexual harassment. This contributes to of mental health issues among girls, who are more likely than boys to be depressed or anxious about school performance, appearance, behavior and social interactions.

Addressing educational inequality requires an intersectional approach: understanding how discrimination based on race, gender, class, orientation and ability compounds to create additional barriers for many students. A  are highly divided by income and race – anchored in a  of racism, discrimination and segregating school and housing policies. And show students in higher-income areas generally have access to higher-quality, better-funded educations.

Teaching for Tomorrow

To ensure a future of equal opportunity — and equal rewards — in the workforce, we need to start with our educational system. It is critical to remove gender-based barriers that keep not only girls but all students from pursuing their dreams and reaching their potential. Schools must teach with an eye toward tomorrow’s economy:  The fastest growing, most well-paid sectors require technology, math and science expertise that many students — especially female students and students of color — are not getting. The education system also needs to support the demand for , such as problem solving, self-directed learning, communication, collaboration and creativity.

The gender pay gap — and the lack of women in leadership roles — are not problems that suddenly surface when women enter the workforce. The roots of the problem run deep and correcting it entails understanding the barriers and biases that begin and persist in our educational system.