Girls' grades could improve if surrounded with high-achievers

 Every girl has seen her best friend with a new purse, and the first question out of her mouth is, “Where did you get that?” Soon, she and her pal are proudly sporting matching handbags. Recent studies show that these copycat tendencies can apply to improving your child’s test scores.

Cornell economist Kirabo Jackson examined the high school performance of students attending top Trinidadian schools with academically savvy peers. His results suggest “boys may, in fact, pass fewer exams when surrounded by high-achievers, while girls' graduation exam pass rates are helped by having bookish classmates,” according to a Slate article.

The reasons behind this invaluable form of peer pressure vary, but indicate that boys may instinctively veer away from tough competition in the classroom. Girls, on the other hand, could be “more sensitive to standing out above others,” meaning they may bring home impressive report cards if their female friends are too. Read the full Slate article here.