The Effects of Student : Teacher Gender Matching on Students’ Performance in Junior High Schools in Japan

This study analyzes the student–teacher gender matching effect on students’ academic performance and questioning behavior. The results indicate as follows: 1. Positive effects of same gender teachers on students’ performance are observed, especially for girls. 2. The gender-matching effect appears to be most significant in the study of English, followed by math and science. 3. Gender matching has an effect on students’ questioning behavior. 4. Changes in questioning behavior may partly explain the improvement in performance. 5. Even when the effects of questioning behavior are controlled for, female teachers still have a positive effect on girls’ performance