Britain is also experimenting with all-male classes. In 1996, for example, King's School in Winchester organized an all-male class for 30 or so high school boys at risk of failure. In only a year, the boys almost closed the achievement gap with girls. Here in America, successful experiments with all-male classes are also taking place. For example, at Baltimore's Harford Heights, Marvland s largest elementary school, children can opt for single-sex classes in grades three through five.
Male teachers use distinctly old-fashioned methods to teach their mostly poor, black, male students.
One teacher, Walter Sallee, organizes his boys into teams to capitalize on their natural competitiveness. He teaches manners, sponsors classroom contests with elaborate point systems and prizes, and works to develop character through sportsmanship. Unfortunately, America's educational orthodoxy frowns on the instructional strategies that seem most conducive to male achievement. Needless to say, we can expect the National Organization for Women to raise a ruckus about any program designed specifically to address boys' needs. But if we want to level the academic playing field, we'd better do something and do it fast.