Single-Sex+Schools



Single-sex schools are becoming very popular among today’s society. People would rather have their education in a type of atmosphere where they don’t feel that they are at a disadvantage and the only way to do this is to attend a single-sex school. Boys and girls are known for having different diverse learning methods. Having the different ways of the child’s learning process opens discussion on about if it is the right thing to do to have children combined in a public school. Is it hard to find such a school? Are girls and boys really mentally diverse? Here we will talk about the pros and cons on whether or not it is the right thing to do to enroll your child in a single-sex school. Well according to the NASSPE there are 540 public schools offering single-sex educational opportunities; but only 91 of these schools qualify to be labeled as a // single-sex school. // The question to ask is “Are single-sex schools on a decline?” The answer is NO. According to Dianna Jean Schemo (2006), “across the nation, the number of public schools exclusively for boys or girls has risen from 3 in 1995 to 241 today”. This shows that there has been a dramatic increase among the amount of schools being offered for single-sex education. One thing that can assure that there will be an effort to increase such a school was the “go-ahead” from president Bush back in 2006, “giving public schools districts broad new latitude to expand the number of single-sex classes, and even school-since a landmark federal law barring sex discrimination in education more than 30 years ago.” This shows that there are many ways that people are trying to improve the many opportunities children can learn. By allowing having single-sex schools it opens up more ways for children to feel comfortable and this allows them to learn better and becoming better students. Not only are boys and girls physically different, but they are also mentally diverse. Since girls and boys are mentally diverse, they usually do not learn in the same manner. The different hormones in the boys and girls brains allow them to learn easier in some ways than others. Several schools have noticed a difference in how children are learning and have changed their curriculum around to dividing classes by gender. The principle at Foust Elementary School in Kentucky, Jeff Gary, is one who has noticed a large decline in test scores and decided to fix the problem by separating the boys from the girls __(Tyre, 2005)__. He took courses on brain development and soon divided the first and second grade classes up by gender. Research has shown that boy brains have less serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved with sleep, relaxation, and concentration, which makes them fidget more. The principle was notified of this and decided to remove the desks from the classroom. Since boys have a hard time sitting still throughout the day, he also made sure the boys received short exercise periods. In addition, boys also have high levels of testosterone, which makes them more competitive. The boys were given timed multiple choice tests, on which they performed well on. One the other hand, girls have more oxytocin, a hormone involved with bonding. The desks were also removed and a carpeted area where the girls can sit and talk was put in place. Since girls do not like competition they were given more time to complete their multiple choice tests. Jeff Gary was very happy with the results since the test scores went up and the discipline problems went down __(2005)__. Having students be separated by gender into single-sex classrooms and being taught in different ways will have a dramatic impact on the way boys and girls learn. Although some might disagree, recent research has indicated, with the use of MRI and PET technology, that boy and girl brains develop and process information differently __(Tyre, 2005)__. For example, the frontal lobes in girl’s brains are more active and have stronger connections between the hemispheres. Are schools accidently favoring girls over boys? According to Michael Gurian, schools tend to be more girl-friendly, since the majority of teachers are female __(Tyre, 2005)__. Boys are not getting the attention and correct learning styles they need in order to succeed and are therefore struggling in classes. The majority, seventy percent, of students in schools who have a learning disability are boys. Even worse, eighty percent of high school drop-outs happen to be boys, while less than forty-five percent of college students are boys __(Tyre, 2005)__. How do teachers, especially females, teach boys so they can learn better? Several suggestions Gurian gives are, lighting classrooms more brightly, speak loudly, illustrate a story before writing it, and use an overhead projector to practice reading and writing __(Tyre, 2005)__. Teaching boys and girls in single-sex classrooms since they differ in brain activity can have a positive impact on the students and allow them to expand their knowledge and desire to learn. This will benefit them throughout their educational years. Although some do not agree with class segregation, more than one hundred and eight-five public schools have some form of single-sex classrooms available __(Tyre 2005)__. A study done by Harker (2000) found that “separation by sex did not guarantee higher test scores for minority and low-income students in single-sex classroom”. Minorities and low-income students are the main focus because the education system wants everyone to succeed and have the resources to do so and so many people believe that single-sex classrooms can help them succeed. Some critics say that turning back to single-sex classroom is a form of inequality and can also target students of particular racial and ethnic groups. Also it affects title IX because it was made to have girls and boys get equal education and by separating them there is a chance of them not having the same equal education. Also it is said that boys and girls interaction helps them socially because they won’t be afraid to talk to people of the opposite sex. Although Single Sex schools have many cons they also come with many Pros. Whether single sex schooling really proves to be useful all depends on who is asked and where they stand on the situation. Many articles state that Single Sex schools prove to be socially and emotionally easier on the students. Students are not worried about impressing the opposite sex, less likely to compete with the same sex, and can better concentrate on their academics. It has also been shown that same sex schooling is a better environment to build confidence. Since there are far less distractions, students are able to have better focus during school. Same sex schools also have an effect of sports. Girls are much more comfortable participating in sports that are usually dominated by males, and boy are far less competitive. It seems as if In regular public schools image, impressing the opposite sex, and competition are the students main focus, while in same sex schools, academics takes a much more important role. Academic Involvement is very important in schools and separating the students by gender definitely has a positive influence. Single-sex classrooms may be coming to a school near you, are you ready? Although some parents and educators do not agree with segregating their students, many schools across the country are changing the curriculum to provide separate boy and girl classes. Whether or not to send your child to a single-sex classroom should be the choice of the parents. There are advantages and disadvantages for either side that need to be taken into consideration. Some girls say that by being in class with the same gender, they feel like they are paying more attention and are more focused on what is going on in the classroom. Sometimes having boys around can distract the girls or make them feel nervous. These separate classes can also benefit the boys, by raising their self confidence and allowing them to get more involved. On the other hand, some may feel separating the students is discrimination and violates the constitution. This argument will continue to grow. The parents are the ones that will need to decide where to send their children after they have gained enough knowledge about the topic. __**//Sources//**__ Schemo, DJS. (2006, October 25). Http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/education/25gender.html.// The New York Times//, NASSPE, Initials. (2002, March 1).// single-sex schools / schools with single-sex classrooms / what's the difference? //. Retrieved from http://www.singlesexschools.org/schools-schools.htm// Tyre, P. (2005). Boy brains, girl brains. //Newsweek (Pacific Edition)//, 146(12), 52. Russell, S. (2007, October 5). Same-Sex Schooling- Pros and Cons. Retrieved from []



Jerome Pickens Regina Harris Kendra Roberts Richard Shook

Kendra's Notes and Paragraphs:  Boy Brains, Girl Brains Not only are boys and girls physically different, but they are also mentally diverse. Since girls and boys are mentally diverse, they usually do not learn in the same manner. The different hormones in the boys and girls brains allow them to learn easier in some ways than others. Several schools have noticed a difference in how children are learning and have changed their curriculum around to dividing classes by gender. The principle at Foust Elementary School in Kentucky, Jeff Gary, is one who has noticed a large decline in test scores and decided to fix the problem by separating the boys from the girls __(Tyre, 2005)__. He took courses on brain development and soon divided the first and second grade classes up by gender. Research has shown that boy brains have less serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved with sleep, relaxation, and concentration, which makes them fidget more. The principle was notified of this and decided to remove the desks from the classroom. Since boys have a hard time sitting still throughout the day, he also made sure the boys received short exercise periods. In addition, boys also have high levels of testosterone, which makes them more competitive. The boys were given timed multiple choice tests, on which they performed well on. One the other hand, girls have more oxytocin, a hormone involved with bonding. The desks were also removed and a carpeted area where the girls can sit and talk was put in place. Since girls do not like competition they were given more time to complete their multiple choice tests. Jeff Gary was very happy with the results since the test scores went up and the discipline problems went down __(2005)__. Having students be separated by gender into single-sex classrooms and being taught in different ways will have a dramatic impact on the way boys and girls learn. Although some might disagree, recent research has indicated, with the use of MRI and PET technology, that boy and girl brains develop and process information differently __(Tyre, 2005)__. For example, the frontal lobes in girl’s brains are more active and have stronger connections between the hemispheres. Are schools accidently favoring girls over boys? According to Michael Gurian, schools tend to be more girl-friendly, since the majority of teachers are female __(Tyre, 2005)__. Boys are not getting the attention and correct learning styles they need in order to succeed and are therefore struggling in classes. The majority, seventy percent, of students in schools who have a learning disability are boys. Even worse, eighty percent of high school drop-outs happen to be boys, while less than forty-five percent of college students are boys __(Tyre, 2005)__. How do teachers, especially females, teach boys so they can learn better? Several suggestions Gurian gives are, lighting classrooms more brightly, speak loudly, illustrate a story before writing it, and use an overhead projector to practice reading and writing __(Tyre, 2005)__. Teaching boys and girls in single-sex classrooms since they differ in brain activity can have a positive impact on the students and allow them to expand their knowledge and desire to learn. This will benefit them throughout their educational years. Although some do not agree with class segregation, more than one hundred and eight-five public schools have some form of single-sex classrooms available __(Tyre 2005)__. Tyre, P. (2005). Boy brains, girl brains. //Newsweek (Pacific Edition)//, 146(12), 52.

Richie __**//Single-Sex Schools Statistics//**__ Single-sex schools are becoming very popular among today’s society. People would rather their education in type of atmosphere where they don’t felt that they are at a disadvantage and the only way to do this is to attend a single-sex school. Is it hard to find such a school? Well according to the NASSPE there are 540 public schools offering single-sex educational opportunities; but only 91 of these schools qualify to be labeled as a //single-sex school.// The question to ask is “Are single-sex schools on a decline?” The answer is NO. According to Dianna Jean Schemo (2006), “across the nation, the number of public schools exclusively for boys or girls has risen from 3 in 1995 to 241 today”. This shows that there has been a dramatic increase among the amount of schools being offered for single-sex education. One thing that can assure that there will be an effort to increase such a school was the “go-ahead” from president Bush back in 2006, “giving public schools districts broad new latitude to expand the number of single-sex classes, and even school-since a landmark federal law barring sex discrimination in education more than 30 years ago.” This shows that there are many ways that people are trying to improve the many opportunities children can learn. By allowing having single-sex schools it opens up more ways for children to feel comfortable and this allows them to learn better and becoming better students. __**//Sources//**__ Schemo, DJS. (2006, October 25). Http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/education/25gender.html.// The New York Times//, NASSPE, Initials. (2002, March 1).// single-sex schools / schools with single-sex classrooms / what's the difference? //. Retrieved from http://www.singlesexschools.org/schools-schools.htm//

//**Boy Brains, Girl Brains**

· Jeff Gray – principle at Foust Elementary School in Kentucky o Test scores for his school were very low o Boys were falling behind in school o Changed the first and second grade curriculum based on boys brains and girls brains and how they would learn better – so he split the boys and girls up into separate classes o He took a risk, but in the end the test scores were improving and discipline problems were decreasing

· The Differences in the Brains o Since boys have less serotonin they move around more and we able to exercise during the day (also have higher levels of testosterone) o Since girls have more oxytocin (hormone liked to bonding) they were able to talk more during the day (also have more active frontal lobes, bigger connection between brain hemispheres, and “language centers”) o Boys usually mature and develop later than girls

· Many teachers are women, therefore girls have an advantage of learning and comprehending more o 80% of drop-outs are boys o Less than 45 % of college students are boys o 70% of students who have a learning disability are boys Tyre, P. (2005). Boy Brains, Girl Brains. Newsweek (Pacific Edition), 146 (12). Retrieved from [] · 14 teen year old girl was having difficulties concentrating in her sixth grade classes o Boys would distract her and she would pay more attention to them pulling on her hair then on the teacher o In 7th grade she switched schools and went to an all girls charter public school (Young Women’s Leadership School) o Right away she noticed a huge difference was able to concentrate again · The National Organization for Women (NOW) and the American Civil Liberties Union oppose single-sex classrooms o They believe it will do more harm than good to the students o Believe that it is unconstitutional – violating the Fourteenth Amendment (Equality) o Increased improvements of single-sex classroom boys and girls education and activities than co-ed classes § Reading achievement and science tests are improving for girls § Boys self confidence, take more English classes, and are part of extracurricular activities · Parents will have to decide whether or not to send their children to these schools o For some, such as the 14 year old teen, it may benefit and for others it could have no effect on the student · The courts have not yet ruled this separation of sexes constitutional or unconstitutional is still up in the air since it has not come to the Supreme Court yet
 * __Singles__**

Whelan, C.B. (1998). Singles.// National Review//, 50(17). Retrieved from []

**__Separate but Equal? Single-Sex Classes Make Waves__**

· Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School o Participating in single-sex classrooms and girls are happy with the outcomes § The girls say they are paying more attention and are more focused without having the boys around · U.S. Department of Education o Relaxed rules of the Title IX (1972) o This law excludes sex discrimination in public education, therefore making single-sex classrooms more attainable · Benefits of single-sex classrooms o "We have found that the kids get more involved if we segregate them by sex," Mike Durbin, the principal of Gaston Junior High School, told The Oregomian of Portland, Ore. o Grades and participation have also increased in single-sex classes · Oppose single-sex classrooms o Some students may not feel comfortable with just being in single-sex classrooms because they like the interaction of genders o Parents and educators may oppose single-sex classrooms not because of educational issues but because the effects it might have on the students development in life § Other opponents say single-sex classes don’t prepare kids for real life. “The real world is an integrated place where men and women compete for jobs, time, attention, and power,” wrote Jennifer Bovair-Danulevicius of Arlington, Va., to the Free Press in response to an editorial about single-sex education (2006). Separate but Equal? Single-Sex Classes Make Waves.// Current Events//, 106 (12), 3-3, 2/3.

Notes: 1) Title: LEARNING SEPARATELY: The Case for Single-Sex Schools

Notes: It talks about how there isnt enough evidence that make single-sex schools beneficial. Also it is said that the reason why schools dont separate the genders because they are afraid of Title IV lawsuit an how females may in up in losing. Also it states that have separate classes they could all lost because women and men learn differently and they can all benefit from learning from each other. Citation: Aldridge, J.. (2009). LEARNING SEPARATELY: The Case for Single-Sex Schools. Childhood Education, 86 (1), 60. Retrieved February 15, 2010, from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 1895157941).

2) Title: Same-Sex Schooling - Pros and Cons Consider Same-Sex Schools in Our Co-Educational Society

Notes: This article discusses the pros and cons of same sex schooling. The article also states the fact that same sex schooling is a very controversial topic and that its effectiveness raises many questions. Pros: -emotionally and socially easier -less gender based stereotypes -girls are more comfortable to participate in male dominated sports -boys are less competitive -better environment to build confidence -removes distractions Cons: -Could increase gender stereotypes and homophobia -Could diminish the affects of Title IX (calls for federally funded educational institutions to treat males and females equally in schools and sports)

[|http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/samesex_schooling_pros_and_cons]c Jerome Cons: A study done by Harker (2000) found that “separation by sex did not guarantee higher test scores for minority and low-income students in single-sex classroom”. Minorities and low-income students are the main focus because the education system wants everyone to succeed and have the resources to do so and so many people believe that single-sex classrooms can help them succeed. Some critics say that turning back to single-sex classroom is a form of inequality and can also target students of particular racial and ethnic groups. Also it affects title IX because it was made to have girls and boys get equal education and by separating them there is a chance of them not having the same equal education. Also it is said that boys and girls interaction helps them socially because they won’t be afraid to talk to people of the opposite sex. Regina Pros: Although Single Sex schools have many cons they also come with many Pros. Whether single sex schooling really proves to be useful all depends on who is asked and where they stand on the situation. Many articles state that Single Sex schools prove to be socially and emotionally easier on the students. Students are not worried about impressing the opposite sex, less likely to compete with the same sex, and can better concentrate on their academics. It has also been shown that same sex schooling is a better environment to build confidence. Since there are far less distractions, students are able to have better focus during school. Same sex schools also have an effect of sports. Girls are much more comfortable participating in sports that are usually dominated by males, and boy are far less competitive. It seems as if In regular public schools image, impressing the opposite sex, and competition are the students main focus, while in same sex schools, academics takes a much more important role. Academic Involvement is very important in schools and separating the students by gender definitely has a positive influence.

Regina Website: http://www.taskstream.com/ts/harris359/SingleSexClassroom.html Kendra- Website http://www.taskstream.com/ts/roberts232/SingleSexSchools.htmlJerome- []