Governments and the media around the world continue to find boys' underachievement in education a fruitful topic for debate. Challenging current theories about gender and achievement this book provides a comprehensive overview of the issues at stake, and develops analysis of the policy drives and changing perceptions of gender on which the 'gender and achievement' debates are based. This new and topical book will guide the reader through the maze of different theories and thinking, drawing together and reviewing the work on gender and educational performance, and outlining the various theories and viewpoints. The authors also highlight the continuing problems experienced by girls in terms of achievement and classroom interaction. Chapters in this detailed work include: - Perspectives on gender and achievement - The construction of gender and achievement in education policy - Evaluating 'boys' underachievement - The future for boys and girls? - Raising achievement: What works in the classroom? Teachers, education professionals and students engaged in teacher training will welcome the objective yet critical expertise from the authors on this issue, who are both editors of the international journal "Gender and Education."