A 2006 study by Swarthmore College professor Thomas S. Dee found that the role of male teachers is especially important for boys. In a study of of 25,000 eighth-graders, Dee found that having a male teacher raised test scores for males in science, social studies and English. The effect of having a female teacher lowers the achievement of boys by about 4 percent of a standard deviation in those three subjects. The biggest impact is in science, where boys' test scores dropped by 5 percent of a standard deviation if their teacher was female. The study did not find a connection between the gender of the teacher, the students and achievement in math.
Dee's research found that boys were less likely to be seen as disruptive if they had a male teacher. His research also pointed out that if boys had a female teacher, they were less likely to look forward to the subject than if they had a male teacher. When students are excited about the subject matter and engaged in their learning, they behave better. A well-managed classroom with fewer behavioral problems is a benefit to all students, male or female.
Young African-American males experience several unfortunate educational issues. A study by the Council of the Great City Schools reported that, compared to white males, they were twice as likely to drop out of high school or be suspended for behavioral issues. They also scored lower on college entrance exams. These students can benefit from having more positive male role models in the school setting, especially since, in 2007, 60 percent of African-American children were living with a single mother.
In general, students perform better when they have a teacher of the same gender. Dee's study showed that while boys make educational gains if they have male teachers, girls are negatively affected, especially in certain subjects. He found that when taught by a male, girls were less likely to ask questions, see the relevance in the subject matter or look forward to the class. This was most evident in science class, where girls who had a female teacher reported being more engaged in the class.