Poorer girls more likely to be placed in lowest maths ability groups, research shows

Meanwhile, boys tended to rate their abilities similarly to girls, despite girls higher performance in literacy. File photo

Girls from poor families here are consistently placed in the lower ability groups when it comes to maths, and increasingly when it comes to reading, prompting concerns they are falling behind.

In the week it emerged there has been a significant decrease in maths and science performance among girls in Ireland, new research highlights how poorer girls here are consistently more likely to be in the lowest maths ability groups.