State of the Georgia Girl Report

K-12 Proficiency: Mathematics

While girls trail boys in achieving math proficiency in 4th grade, by 8th grade, they close this gap and surpass boys in high school algebra. Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade Assessments, Mathematics, 2024-2025. In Georgia, the gender gap in math proficiency is narrower than the stereotype implies; in fact, by 8th grade, girls close the achievement gap . Girls trail boys slightly in math proficiency from 4th through 7th grade, then move to slightly surpass boys in 8th grade. Crucially, however, fewer than half of girls in any tested grade achieved proficiency, a finding that mirrors the on-grade-level gap in ELA. A prevailing stereotype suggests that girls excel in ELA while under-performing in math, often attributed to inherent developmental differences. Multiple studies have established that these disparities are more influenced by social pressures and instructional biases than by biological factors. As an example, countries with the largest gender gaps in STEM assessments present the most overt gender stereotypes (Kuchynka, 2022). Social pressures also contribute to achievement gaps. Research from the American Association of University Women demonstrates that girls often experience a lack of encouragement in STEM fields, leading to lower self-confidence in science and math (Hill, 2010). In contrast, boys are socialized to embrace competitiveness and assertiveness, traits that enhance their performance in these areas.

ACADEMIC WELLNESS OF GEORGIA GIRLS

Math Proficiency (Level 3-4) 4th Grade

Math Proficiency (Level 3-4) 8th Grade

Algebra Proficiency (Level 3-4) High School

Female

47%

47%

46%

Male

51%

47%

45%

4% Lower

Equal

1% Higher

Difference

By high school,

with 46% of girls achieving proficiency in Algebra compared to 45% of boys. Georgia girls close the math achievement gap,

62

THE 2026 STATE OF THE GEORGIA GIRL REPORT