Are Same-Sex Classrooms The Answer?

A recent Newsweek article by Jesse Ellison debated the pros and cons of same-sex classrooms. The topic is interesting in light of the fact that male academic achievement has been and continues to decline. The article goes on to discuss who lands on which side of the debate and why. The ACLU is strongly against same gender schools on the grounds it underscores the perception of gender inequity. According to Ellison:

But in 2001, Sen. Hillary Clinton linked the issue to class—citing an unfairness in the fact that single-sex education is available as a choice only to those who can afford private-school tuition. Clinton, a graduate of all-women’s Wellesley College, joined forces with Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to successfully bring about legislative change.

Do girls and boys learn differently? If same sex classrooms are created with different approaches – are we back to the same debates of ‘separate but equal’ education? It is true that some approaches to single gender education seem to build on outmoded stereotypes. Research data falls on both side of the argument as well.

Sometimes same gender classrooms or schools face the same argument as charter schools – it may be a matter of choice and civil rights. Should educators, parents and students have the right to choose same sex classrooms/schooling as an option?

My thoughts and I welcome yours as well – are that parents, students and communities deserve quality public school choices in many varieties, including same sex classrooms or schools. Quality public school choices utilizing a variety of methodologies will best meet the needs of our diverse student population.
[Note: read the Associated Press 6.27.10 release about Chicago's Urban Prep Academy for Young Men .. a charter school in its fourth year ..100 percent of its graduating class is going to college - only 4% were reading on grade level when they entered the school four years ago.]