Now similar conferences are held for students in other grades. The last link was changing the attitudes of district administrators. A new administrator was hired to develop better ways of communicating with the community. These included newsletters sent to parents, videos to illustrate school programs, and community forums. School administrators were encouraged to take more time to discuss school policies with employees.
Research shows that socioeconomic status counts for more than gender in the classroom.
However, efforts are spreading across the country to open single-sex schools. Some principals claim that single-sex programs run more smoothly and have fewer discipline problems because they take away the tensions that spring up when boys and girls mix in classrooms. Proponents also argue that, without boys present, girls stand a better chance of succeeding socially and academically. Diane Ravitch, former assistant secretary of education in the Bush Administration, says that her own single-sex schooling was an advantage. AAUW researchers found small classes and schools, teaching practices that don't discriminate by gender, and a focused academic curriculum help raise student achievement whether girls and boys are taught separately or together.