ORONO – Boys go to college at a lower rate than girls. It’s become a state and national trend, said a professor at the College of Education at the University of Maine.

“Lots of task forces are getting together to explore different reasons,” said Rumford native Rich Kent, an assistant professor of literacy.

Kent serves on the Maine Gender Task Force which is exploring why girls are outperforming boys. The group will give its recommendations in June.

One reason boys’ aspirations have fallen could be that boys learn better from hands-on lessons. Boys say they’d “rather be doing stuff” than sitting in English class, Kent said. However, he stressed it’s important not to label all girls as compliant, all boys as antsy.

While the task force works on answers, teachers can help by not always assigning reading and writing materials. Some reading and essays could be decided according to students’ interests. “I grew up in Rumford in love with ski racing,” Kent said. He rarely if ever was assigned to read or write about skiing.

Parents can boost aspirations by talking to their children frequently about college or post-secondary schools. Parents should also have a variety of reading materials around the home. “They need to model reading,” Kent said.

Parents who are not college graduates need to become familiar with college campuses, Kent said. “They should visit college with their kids early on.”

– Bonnie Washuk