List and describe 2-3 possible advantages of single sex classrooms.

              -The single sex classrooms seem to be just one of the new educational fades, but after doing some research, I found that they can have many benefits. First, separating genders is thought to build confidence in both classes. Without the distraction of having to impress the opposite sex or avoid being embarrassed, the students can fully commit to participating in class. Second, girls mature faster than boys, so potentially boy will not hold them back. It may not be true for all boys, but in my experience of school, the constant snickering and irrelevant questions mostly involve the boys and really wasted a lot of time. Third, teachers often respond differently to boys and girls, such as, challenging the boys more or wanting to protect the girls from embarrassment. So it is believed that when a teacher does not have to switch back and forth between these two actions, the class will have more unpausing work time.

 

List and describe 2-3 potential disadvantages of single sex classrooms.

              -Although there can be many advantages to the single sex classrooms, I also found several negative outcomes from the process. First, these particular classrooms do not provide a real world experience. Society is not single-sex, but co-ed. So many parents worry that having single sex classrooms will damage their child’s sense of interaction with the opposite sex. Second, single sex class undermine diversity. We all think differently and have opposing opinions, so to deny students the experience of seeing things from another perspective, we are really doing them an injustice. Third, one of the greatest disadvantages not only affects the students, but the whole community. Running two mainstream programs would really get expensive and may result in a higher tax.  

 

After watching the videos and reading the articles, describe your stance on the single sex classroom issue. Provide some reasons why you agree or disagree with the concept. 

              -After reading and watching all the material, I am able to see both sides. Although I understand the great outcomes of a single sex class, I think it is not worth the chance and would ultimately have to disagree. I believe that adding single sex class will contradict the “Whole Child” initiative. Part of school is learning how to interact with others and accept their different opinions, and if that is not learned, it makes for a great disaster. After going many years of only being around their own sex for six hours a day, excluding lunch, the students will become completely uncomfortable with the opposite sex students. And what is to happen when they leave for college, we just say good luck?

 

Would you want to be educated in single-sex classrooms? Why or why not?

              -Thinking back to my low self-confidence days in middle and high school, I probably would have want to be in an all-girls class at that time. But seeing the outcomes and disadvantages now, I would have to say no. Going to school every day and being in classes with the opposite sex made me more comfortable with them, which made me slowly ease out of my shyness. I could not imagine how timid I would be today if I had the choice of single sex classes.

 

Would you want your children educated in single-sex classrooms? Why or why not?

              -Obviously every reasonable parent wants the best for their child, and I believe that this is a choice every parent has to make for their own children. I would have to say no; I would not want my child educated in single-sex classes. I feel it is just not the right choice. Although it has been thought to improve grades, the classes have the possibility to create unsocial, bashful students. As I have said before, the “Whole Child” initiative is important, and I would not want my children in classes that will affect their outlook on the opposite sex for the rest of their lives.

 

Are single-sex classrooms a form of discrimination? Explain.

              -Yes. I think that if the classes get to a certain point, they will become dangerously discriminatory. Many fear that separating sexes will bring higher chances of students being placed in stereotypical electives, such as, girls in home economics or boys in woodshop. Separating genders is just as unacceptable as separating ethnic groups. Separate is not equal.  

 

Summary-  This topic really got me thinking about how so many people want to find and add a one-time, solve-all solution to our educational system. Although this would be wonderful, it most likely will not happen. All of the holes in our and other country’s educational systems cannot be solved by just one new approach, but must be strengthen over time. No one will wake up tomorrow and have a tactic to help every single student who is falling through the cracks, which is why the teachers and board have to do whatever is best for the students every year, day, and time.