Single-sex education is on the rise

Classes at an Alabama middle school come under fire by ACLU.

By Charyn Pfeuffer - MSN Living Editor Dec 10, 2012 11:00PM

In the mid-1990s, there were only two single-sex public schools in the U.S. Today, there are more than 500 public schools in 40 states that offer some single-sex academic classes or, more rarely, are entirely single sex, reports The New York Times.

The topic of single-sex education is a controversial one as educators argue whether forcing students into a single-sex environment boosts academic success.

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Recently, single-sex programs at Huffman Middle School in Birmingham, Ala., as well as at another district in Idaho have come under fire by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), reports AL.com. Complaints filed by the nonpartisan non-profit organization with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights say such programs draw on gender stereotypes, such as men are active and independent while women are passive and dependent, and deprive students of equal educational opportunities.

"We understand that teachers and parents want to provide the best education for their children. But coeducation was never the problem with failing schools, and single-sex programs are not the answer," Christina Brandt-Young, attorney with the ACLU Women's Rights Project was quoted. "These programs are poorly designed and based on pseudoscience and stereotypes that do nothing to enhance learning, and only reinforce discredited ideas about how boys and girls behave."

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In a September 2011 article in Science, titled “The Pseudoscience of Single-Sex Schooling,” authors argue that “sex-segregated education is deeply misguided and often justified by weak, cherry-picked or misconstrued scientific claims rather than by valid scientific evidence.” The article, written by eight social scientists who founded the nonprofit American Council for CoEducational School, goes onto assert, “Boys who spend more time with other boys become increasingly aggressive. Similarly, girls who spend more time with other girls become more sex-typed.”

Do boys and girls learn differently? Do same-sex classrooms create a better learning environment for students? Why or why not?

Photo: Thinkstock/Getty Images

Bing: The pros and cons of single-sex schools

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67Comments

Best

Bill Thompson (maryland 2003)

Dec 11, 2012 2:21AM

total BS--I went to an all male catholic high school in the 70s and the school was known for its academic excellence as well as its football team for instance and fast forward to 2012--The school is ranked in the top 50 schools in the country academically and its football team was ranked number one nationally.It has other awesome teams,scholars and it has very few discipline problems. The article stating that boys are more aggressive if segregated with other boys is utter BS.The boys are only more aggressive when you have weak teachers,lax discipline and uninvolved parents.Face facts and quit blaming things on unproven facts to hide teachers and unions lack of control and competence

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Xina the Awesome

Dec 11, 2012 1:42AM

I think that parents should have options when it comes to their children's education. If a boy who has failed at learning language arts is put in an all boys English class and is able to excel as a result, what's the harm? If a girl who was struggling with math is able to finally feel comfortable enough to ask a question in an all girl class and is able to succeed, that's wonderful! I don't think that any school district is doing away with co-education. This are special classes that are being used at the students and parents request. Now if girls are graduating without learning science or boys are leaving school unable to write a 3 page essay, then re-evaluate the quality of the education. Otherwise let the kids learn in the best atmosphere that works for them.

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Jocar

Dec 11, 2012 2:32AM

Let's call me Granny...I went to an all girls High School (1957-61) and loved every minute. Yes, that was in the dark ages and even pre Women's Lib. This was from age 14 -18 a pretty vulnerable age for both boys and girls. Not having boys in the classroom gave me a freedom from both judgement and gawking and allowed me to relax and be myself. I never had to think about what the boys might be thinking and after being in a classroom with all girls everyone let their personalities rip. We had plenty of time spent with the boys (and the all Boys School) from our neighborhoods, at basketball games and weekly dances, after school at the cafe combined fund raising efforts, etc.. It was great to have that element of pubescence become a smaller part of the equation. I felt more sure of who I was, what I needed and wanted and could discard who I thought I was supposed to be. And ,yes, I think I got a better education because of it.

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Steve Weaver

Dec 11, 2012 2:03AM

I believe after all these years the ACLU has pretty well shown it's colors and they do no good for this great country, but instead hold it back from what it could be. It's the ACLU that needs to be thrown away!!! Just consider the amount of money that has been wasted on there petty little control tacticks. Discusting!! Show them the door!!!!

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news replies

Dec 11, 2012 2:06AM

With parents letting their little girls dress with form fitting tops, plunging tops, spandex bottoms showing camel toes, dresses hiked so high the thongs show, it is about time the boys are separated so they can concentrate on studies. The mothers should be ashamed for allowing their daughters to dress that way. The other day I saw a 13-14 y.o. with her mother at Staples with shorts so short her cheeks were out of the pants and the seam in her pants was right up her backside crack. Disgusting !!!!

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scouch

Dec 11, 2012 2:18AM

Remember the song, Make The World Go Away. I believe from the 1960's. Here is a new take on it Make the ACLU Go Away.

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Starfleet Pride

Dec 11, 2012 2:00AM

Single sex classes are proven to give males , straight ones anyway , a better grade average without females distracting them or causing the males to be fearful to interact in the classroom.

This female push to be in every part of a males life yet keep her girls only space is wrong and bias, a guys got to have some estrogen free breathing room.

Oh and the attention whores or divas that are afraid of missing out will of course have plenty to say about my comment!

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Jana Meyerstein

Dec 11, 2012 2:50AM

My mother went to one of the best women's colleges in the USA. Mills College of Oakland, CA, was in the late 1940's and early 1050's thought to be the best. Women's college were called, "girl's schools" and graduated the most intelligent, strong minded, clear thinking women of their time. The thought was, that girls were not hesitant to raise their hands, ask questions because they were not interested in impressing young men. Granted they showed up in simple clothes, took their studies seriously, and most went on to give to their communities. These women gave in the work place and at home when they were raising their children. I think girl's or boy's schools are a good idea. We can always improve on the education we give to our children. Recently I went with our exchange student to a school function, and I honestly do not think girls are given enough respect in our schools.

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Single-sex education is on the rise

Classes at an Alabama middle school come under fire by ACLU.

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