"In every age group, boys have been scoring lower than girls annually for more than three decades on U.S. Department of Education reading tests," said Bill Costello, author of the research. "The longer boys are in school, the wider the reading gender gap becomes. For example, the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that the gap at age 9 is 5 points, at age 13 is 10 points, and at age 17 is 14 points."

According to the research findings entitled "Leveraging Gender Differences to Boost Test Scores," there are four strategies teachers can use to bolster boys' reading test scores: use brain research to inform gender-based instructional strategies, offer boy-friendly reading material, provide single-gender reading activities within the classroom, and increase the use of male role models for reading.

Costello said: "Teachers who use brain research to inform gender-based instruction strategies have a better understanding of the reading problems that boys face and tailor their practice accordingly. Offering boy-friendly reading material is one of the best ways to motivate boys to read. Single-gender reading activities provide concrete learning experiences that help to reinforce what boys read. Increasing the use of male role models for reading helps boys view reading as a masculine activity. These four strategies will help schools raise test scores and avoid the penalties that result from failing annual yearly progress."

About Making Minds Matter (http://www.makingmindsmatter.com): Making Minds Matter LLC trains teachers and parents in boy-girl learning differences so they can improve children's behavior and learning.