Rethinking Single-Sex Classrooms

In the United States, single-sex classrooms seem more in the past than present. Several states have dropped single-sex classrooms altogether due to pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union. However, some argue that single-sex classrooms can be more beneficial to students—from their education to their confidence, there would be a great difference. CNN education contributor Steve Perry believes separated classrooms would be better for both boys and girls.

He believes mixed classrooms cause stereotyping. That, in turn, will affect their learning. Boys are scrutinized for just being boys. While girls are less encouraged to pursue harder education such as hard science. Separating the two genders would have more benefits. Students would be able to focus on their education without being labeled by their sex. They would be challenged in different areas of education without prejudice.

However, single-sex education is not for everyone. Perry argues that parents should be able to decide whether they want their child in such a program.

“If it works and has worked for so many generations, then we can’t look past the facts,” Perry said. “Do I know if it is, in and of itself, inherently better? No, I do not. But I do support it as an opportunity, as a method.”

Creative Commons Love: AlaskaTeacher on Flickr.com

Written by Sera Yoo