1. PRESENTATION BY ARTHEOLA BONNER AND NAKUL GOYAL Single-Gender Schools

2. Why is This an Important Issue? The learning/classroom environment plays a significant role in the academic, psychological, and social development of a child.

3. Support for Single-Gender Schools Able to focus on what is more appropriate for the specific gender being educated. o Instructors can gear lessons according to cognitive development of students. (Brains develop diff. between boys and girls) Provide equal opportunities/continues to address problems that still exist o Some women/girls/females still experience environments where they are harassed physically, sexually, and emotionally.

4. Support for Single-Gender Schools Students indicate higher test scores and achievement in single-gender school environments. Provides a safe haven for adjusting immigrant students.  Removes pressure of adjusting to a new setting by associating with peers who have similar interests.

5. Arguments Against Single-Gender Schools Harmful to social development  Students are potentially ill-prepared for future social and work environments  Gets especially harmful because there is no scientific evidence that suggests single-gender schooling is academically beneficial.  The perceived benefit is based on pseudoscience. Failure in training teachers  Curriculum and state requirements remain the same regardless of gender

6. Arguments Against Single-Gender Schools Violation of students’ rights  ACLU claims that public school students cannot compulsorily be placed in classrooms on a gender basis as this is discrimination. Reinforcement of gender stereotypes  Promotes attitudes like “boys will be boys” and girls are “catty and noisy,” boys are good at science and girls are good at art, etc.

7. Questions for Discussion What alternatives to co-ed and single-gender schools do you envision? Are there any differences, in learning styles, of boys and girls that come to mind? What kind of learning environments would better serve particular learning styles?

8. References [Are co-ed or single-sex lessons best]. November 23, 2012 from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ [Curriculum]. November 23, 2012 from: http://www.dulwich.org.uk [Learning zone]. November 23, 2012 from: http://www.cbtrust.org.uk (2010, August 8). “The pros and cons of single-gender classrooms.” Washington Post. (2012, November 29). “ACLU wants investigation of single-gender schools.” Tampa Bay Times. pp. 7B. What are the academic outcomes of students who attend single-sex classes. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/facts/quickfacts-gender-differences/academic-outcomes-boys-girls-single-sex-classes/ Bunting, Josiah, & Watts III, Claudius. (1996, July 8). The pros and cons of single sex education. U.S. News & World Report, 2. Dry, A. (Website contributor). Boys will be boys, girls will love barbies (Article). November 23, 2012 from: http://www.essentialbaby.com.au Fiorello, P. (Website contributor). Best teaching practices for single-gender classrooms (Article). November 23, 2012 from: http://drpfconsults.com

9. References McLaren, Diana. (2009, September 17). “Why single-sex schooling has global appeal.” The Globe and Mail. Sokol, Marlene, & Kim Wilmath. (2012, November 29). “Parents dispute school study; A report questions the effectiveness of single-gender schools.” St. Petersburg Times. pp. 1B. Viadero, Debra. (2001, May 30). Study cites flaws in single-sex public schools. Education Week, 38, 9. Wolfgang, Benjamin. (2011, September 2). “Boys in one class, girls in another at more schools; Single-sex option grows, but some still skeptical.” Washington Times. pp. A07.