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.
Sidebars present a legal view of single-sex public education and list selected references.
They are prepared under the supervision of Philip K. Piele, professor and director, ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management at the University of Oregon. Reproduced with permission from the December 1998 issue of The American School Board Journal . The American School Board Journal is an editorially independent publication of the National School Boards Association. Opinions expressed by this magazine or any of its authors do not necessarily reflect positions of the National School Boards Association. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy.