Existing research identifies several significant, subject-based gender inequalities in education. Male learners have significant advantages in mathematics and female learners have no less significant advantages in reading and writin. Such considerable differences in achievement may have important consequences for the future wellbeing of students.

In order to shed light on this phenomenon in Latin America, this report analyzes the gender gaps in educational achievement in the Third Regional Comparative and Explanatory Study (TERCE) led by the Latin American Laboratory for Assessment of the Quality of Education (LLECE)

The analysis presented in this report is threefold. First, we identify and describe gender gaps based on the average score differences, the score distributions (variability) and representation in the ‘achievement levels’ developed by TERCE for each course and grade. Second, we compare TERCE results with results from the Second Regional Comparative and Explanatory Study (SERCE), conducted in 2006, in order to identify trends and changes over time. Finally, we explore factors that may be associated with the evidenced gender gaps in educational performance, focusing on third and sixth grader achievement in mathematics, reading and science.

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