Single-Sex Schooling Help, Hindrance or Something in Between?

What is the purpose of school? How does single-sex education fit with that purpose? Is single-sex education legal in public schools?

“Unless it is clear what a good education is, it makes little sense to design and implement strategies to move us toward a good education.” Gender in Policy and Practice – chapter by Patricia B. Campbell and Jo Sanders

What is the Purpose of School? Academics Citizenship Social Skills Preparation for Earning

Academics “More than three out of four of those on welfare, 85% of unwed mothers and 68% of those arrested are illiterate. About three in five of America's prison inmates are illiterate.” - Washington Literacy Council

Citizenship Learn about our government The citizen’s role in our country Service Learning

Social Skills Punctuality Manners Respect

How Does Single-Sex Schooling Fit? Academics Citizenship Social Skills

Academics Statistics typically show an increase in academic achievement Focus is on academic achievement Significantly better attitude “…disadvantaged students…don’t necessarily identify with academic achievement, and for many families, the choice of a single-sex school is a very pro-academic choice.” – Rosemary Salomone

Woodward Avenue Elementary School

Jefferson Leadership Academies GPAs are up across the board Better focus on learning “We have seen many students start to focus heavily on academics. They no longer clown or try to impress the opposite sex. Girls are more apt to answer questions aloud in class as well as ask them. Girls are learning to be more academically competitive and boys are learning to collaborate” – Jill Rojas, principal

Citizenship Greater leadership involvement More diverse leadership roles Taking on leadership roles typically given to the opposite sex

Social Skills One of the biggest concerns Many other opportunities for socializing with the opposite sex Learning basics

Key Factors in the Success (or not) of Single-Sex Schooling Implementation Commitment to gender equity Socio-economic factors Cultural factors More research is needed

Lewis Fox Middle School, Hartford, CT Grades OfferedGrades 7-9 Total Students761 % Male/ % Female53%47% This SchoolCT Average Teacher:Student Ratio1:171:15 % Asiann/a3% % Hispanic14%12% % Black86%10% % Whiten/a73% Eligible for Free Lunch71%16% Eligible for Reduced Lunch8%5% Statistics on this slide are from

Public Single-Sex Schooling and Title IX Must be equal educational opportunity offered for opposite sex Choice

Conclusion Must be properly implemented Can be a very good option for some

Diane Ravitch, “Why Not a Girls School?,” New York Post “The American tradition favors pluralism, diversity and choice. There should be coed schools for those who want them and single-sex schools for those who prefer an environment free of the pressures of the dating game.”