Same-gender schools have become very popular and controversial over the past decade. No Child Left Behind permitted all girls and all boys classrooms and schools as a tool for school improvement. N.O.W. and the A.C.L.U. do not approve and have been very vocal about opposing the separation of boys from girls.
Same Gender Schools Growing but Effective?
There is no outstanding data proving that single-gender classrooms enhance learning for all students. However, when boys and girls are separated both teachers and students do see positive changes.
Teachers in single-gender classrooms have noted that classroom behaviors improve. Girls are not flirting with boys instead of focusing on the lessons. Boys are not showing off for girls. And, at the middle school level, there is often competition for a boyfriend that seems to belong to someone else. The tension from this feuding is greatly reduced in a single-gender classroom. Several distractions are eliminated. That alone is a positive point whether academics substantially improve or not.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania schools are considering separating boys and girls for the next school year. The school board is weighing the pros and cons. Both sides are weighing in on the topic with experts on both sides of the issue. Dr. Leonard Sax, founder of the National Association for Single Sex Public Education, states that same sex schools are not the answer for all schools. Sax says, "Simply saying that it works in private schools is not useful. In private schools and in charter schools, you have a selected group of students. They thrive in a culture of achievement that is created by stringent rules and standards. Middle-class students whose parents read to them, provided computers and set high educational goals are likely to thrive in both coed and single-gender schools." [1]
Brain development research does show that separating students by gender has more of an impact when implemented in elementary school, not middle school or high school. Bad habits by students are established by middle school or high school and the time to turn things around seems to be in elementary school. Most single gender schools are at the middle school and high school levels.
Derrick Lopez, assistant superintendent for Pittsburgh high schools, thinks single-gender schools are worth a try and heads up the movement for a five-year plan. Lopez, who is an attorney and former high school teacher, thinks the single-gender model is likely to be effective for students from low-income students of color. He has seen the model work in other schools and many inner city schools for boys are being established. [1]
ACLU and NOW Oppose Single Gender Schools in Pittsburgh
Sara Rose, staff attorney for the ACLU in Pennsylvania states there is no evidence that this configuration in the Pittsburgh schools will work and disagrees that children should be part of an experiment. NOW, National Organization of Women, states that students need to learn in a diverse environment which includes gender, race and socioeconomic background. Neither ACLU or NOW has research showing single-gender classrooms would be detrimental for students.
Same Gender Colleges Boast of Academic Results
All girls and all boys colleges boast of better academic performance on campus. Boys focus better on academics and are more likely to pursue areas of study that are seen as feminine in nature. On the other hand, girls tend to spend less time on how they look for class and are more likely to pursue careers seen as traditionally "male" opportunities like science and math.
The entire state of South Carolina has adopted the single-gender model for all middle schools in the state. Data indicates there is value to this format. While there is no overwhelming evidence that separating boys from girls has a significant impact on education, many are willing to adopt the model.
[1] Rujumba, Karamagi. "Many question value of single-gender schools." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 19, 2010.
Barbara Pytel - Email me Experience Although I was never particularly fond of going to school as an ELL student, I ironically became a teacher, ...
