Gender, Educational Reform, and Instructional Assessment: Part I

Why study issues of gender and physics education? It is well-known that women continue to be significantly underrepresented in careers in physics and engineering, even as representation of women improves in chemistry and the biological sciences. While many factors contribute to this state of affairs, one important area for physics educators to examine is the experiences of women in physics classes. This talk will review the current status of women in physics, the importance of studying how instruction affects the women in our classrooms, and the need for assessment instruments that do not perpetuate disparities. Given our community's reform effort, we need to ensure that the changes we make to curriculum and instruction do not create disadvantages for female physics students.