What+are+the+different+types+of+and+purposes+for+single+sex+schools?

Sam

http://www.educationbug.org/a/coed-or-single-sex-education.html


 * 1. Article from a professional journal #1**

Source: Francis, Leslie J.1992.Personality and Attitudes Towards Christianity Among Eleven to Sixteen Year Old Girls in a Single Sex Catholic School.British Journal of Religious Education.14,2.http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a746355491

Summary: This article is a sort of scientific journal on the findings of a study on the attitudes of coeducational students versus girls attending a single sex Roman Catholic school towards Christianity. The method for testing their "attitudes" was through personality testing. Administrators at the Catholic school had claimed that the girls attending would have a better attitude toward Christianity than the children at the public institutions. However, the research found that feelings toward the religion had more to do with individual personality, stating that the idea of religion "belongs" to those of "tender-minded social attitudes". Also, the study found that all students between the age of 11 and 16, regardless of whether or not they were separated into gender-specific education at a religious school or simply attended the public high school, are more prone to develop negative feelings toward Christianity during this age period. Overall, the fact that this group of girls attended a single-sex, religious school did not have an effect on their attitudes toward Christianity.

My Reaction: I was rather surprised that the gender segregation and religious differences did not affect the way these girls felt toward Christianity. At first, I was confused as to why those doing the research took such a scientific approach. After reading the article though, it made sense that one's attitude toward something as significant as religion would have a lot to do with your personality. Also, I personally believe that it probably also has a lot to do with how children are raised at home. In conclusion, if parents are looking to send their child to a single-sex, religiously driven school to ensure a healthy attitude toward whatever religion it is they follow, then according to this article, they may be wasting their time.


 * 2. Article from a professional journal #2**

Source: Shah, Saeeda.2009.Why Single-Sex Schools? Discourses of Culture/Faith and Achievement.Educational Resources Information Center.39, 2. []

Summary: This article discusses some reasons other than the learning advantages and disadvantages for single sex schooling. Specifically, it shines light upon the culture and faith aspects. It states that in a world with many places and communities of growing diversity, it is important to take into account the needs of all cultures and faiths, including when it comes to education. The articles covers different schooling preferences of different cultures, many of which find single-sex schooling the only appropriate form of education.

My Reaction: I thought this article shed crucial light on a topic that isn't taken into consideration enough, especially in this country. The United States is such an enormous mixture of race, culture, religion, and ethnicity and it is continuously expanding. It is important that communities do their best to cater to everyone to the best of their ability. For example, my family has moved around a lot, once considering a move out of the country. Had we made that move, I would have liked to attend a school most similar to what I experienced here in the states and personally would have hated an all-girls strictly religious school. On the other hand, if a Muslim family moved into a community where there was only public, coeducational institutions, their children may not be allowed to attend school at all because it is such a shocking difference from their culture. The parents may choose not to even move into the community. So, I think that different types of schools, single-sex schools specifically, are important to maintain diversity.


 * 3. Editorial/opinion essay from a local or national print/online news source**

Source: Osunsami, Steve.2008.Sparks Fly Over Single Gender Education in Georgia.World News. []

Summary: A reporter from ABC News covers a story on the public school system in Green County, GA. Janice Gallimore, the chairman for the board of education there, explains why the decision is being made to gender segregate the academic classes at the schools. The high school especially ranks very low in the state. Academic performance is extremely poor and educators there hope that by segregating classes, they will cut down on low test scores and reduce teen pregnancy and disciplinary issues. They are making these changes based on the facts from studies done claiming that single sex schools are more efficient because boys and girls learn differently and all the teachers will be specifically trained in teaching methods that work best for each gender. While some members of the community support the movement, others disagree, claiming that whether or not the child attends a single sex school is a parent's decision because they know their child best.

My Reaction: In a community such as Green County, GA, I do not think that drastic measures such as this are a bad idea. There is not a lot of money involved, along with a high black population and bad reputation. I think it is great that the school board is taking action to better their standings in the state and by doing so, they are potentially giving their students more and better opportunities in the future. This being said, their reason for gender segregating the classes is valid, but they would have to really follow through for it to make a significant difference. This would include explaining to parents why changes are being made so that they have community support, making sure their teachers really are aware of and trained in how to lead classes for each gender, as well as consistantly encouraging students to give their best effort towards high achievement.


 * 4. Analysis article from a magazine or newspaper (Newsweek, Time, or NYTimes):**

Source: Stamm, Monica J.1998.NOTE: A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET: SINGLE-SEX SCHOOLS FOR PREGNANT GIRLS.LexisNexis.[]

Summary: This article discusses the topic of all-girls schools, specifically pregnant teenage girls. It discusses mostly the legal matters behind whether or not such institutions are illegal or not, and declares that according to the Constitution and Title IX, pregnant and non-pregnant women must be considered equal and, therefore, a gender-specific school for pregnant teenagers should be evaluated on level playing field with a gender-specific school for non-pregnant teenage girls. It compares these schools' statuses with those of other gender-specific institutions which also caused controversy, such as the Virginia Military Institute and the Young Women's Leadership School.

My Reaction: Single-sex schools for pregnant teenagers wasn't even something that I knew existed until I came across this article. So, when I read the heading, I was immediately interested. This is, in my opinion, an extremely valid reason to attend a single-sex school. According to the article, there is not valid legal reason that these schools shouldn't be permitted. Aside from legal matters, I believe that these institutions could be the deciding factor for whether or not pregnant teens finish their education. It eliminates the self-conscious factor and would obviously offer special services, such as leave time for birthing and limiting the daily work load, that a coeducational school simply couldn't offer.


 * 5. Summary article such as ERIC Digest or CQ Researcher report:**

Source: Pollard, Diane S.1999.Single Sex Education.WEEA Digest.[]

Summary: This report lists and describes a multitude of reasons for gender segregation in education. The main topics covered are the academic achievement gap, classroom social organization, cultural socialization, different goals, implementation, and research. It also covers a bit on parallel education and how not the entire school needs to be segregated, but learning for the students can be supplemented by sexually segregating specific classes within the schools.

My Reaction: Of all my sources I used to research the different types of and reasons single sex schools, this one is my favorite. It is simple and factual and lists data rather than the arguments from both sides of the gender-segregated option.