Don't ban single-sex education

[The Straight Story]

Does public single-sex education have a future in the USA? Eight activist academics have just published an article in Science arguing that it should be banned.

Claiming that there is "no well-designed research" proving that single-sex schools improve academic performance, they have urged the Department of Education to "heed the evidence" and prohibit "sex-segregated classrooms" in public schools. Single-sex education, they say, "increases gender stereotyping and legitimizes institutional sexism."

Let's hope the Department of Education seeks a second opinion.

The proposed ban would not affect the affluent. Wealthy families have always had the option of sending their children to all-male or all-female academies, but parents of lesser means have rarely had the choice. That changed in 2002, when the No Child Left Behind Act sanctioned innovative programs -- including single-sex classes and academies -- in public schools. Then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, a co-author of the provision, urged that the single-sex option be broadly expanded and not limited to a fortunate few: "There should not be any obstacle to providing single-sex choice within the public school system."

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20111016/OPINION02/110160316

[fasttense]

1. Hmm , I thought a study back in the 80s or 90s said that all girl

schools improved the overall academic scores/grades of girls and all boy schools actually hurt academic achievement/grades for boys.

Really boys need to be in coed class rooms, girls do fine by themselves.

[The Straight Story]

2. Use blow up dolls/mannequins in all boy schools

:evilgrin:

[USA_1]

5. California Study

The study was conducted in the late 90s and a report was published in 2001:

http://www.womensenews.org/story/education/010603/california-study-single-sex-schools-no-cure-all

Girls were treated in a nurturing environment whereas boys were treated with regimentation. This led to problems which had not been foreseen. The researches to the best of my recollection were three feminist researchers. They were the ones who concluded that there was no net benefit to society if the changes result in benefit girls while being so detrimental to boys.

[RC]

6. While it may improve test scores, the children will be missing out on critical interactions with the

opposite sex. Experiences that can hamper them in later life.

[Fumesucker]

3. Separate but equal doesn't fly for race..

I grew up in such a system and know how fucked up it was.

I'm not sure I see how sex is any different.

[TheKentuckian]

4. I'm all for getting rid of it

I don't require a ban but don't support funding.

[Chan790]

7. I support such a ban. n/t