Single-Sex Classrooms

Even after reading about the research done by NASSPE, I still disagree with the idea of same gender classes. These types of classes may give students the freedom to explore different subjects and focus on their interests but they do not allow students the opportunity to grow socially. Students need the interaction between opposite genders in order to prepare them for the real world. The real world is not composed of same gender businesses and corporations. They will need to work with people of the opposite gender in order to get their jobs done. The interactions between boys and girls in school prepare them for the real world. If schools have same gender classes, I think it would be a good idea for them to still have classes with both genders. The same-gender classes would be the core academic classes such as math, literature, and science so both boys and girls can feel comfortable pursuing whatever subject they enjoyed without the stereotype. The co-ed classes would be the elective classes where boys and girls can interact with each other. Boys and girls would pick their elective classes based on their interests and be able to interact with people of the opposite gender who enjoy the same interests. This system would allow boys and girls the academic freedom they deserve without stereotypes and the chance to build a social life. If I had no choice but to attend a school that had same gender classes, I would want the school to use this system.

Comments

[rachel mowery]

I disagreed also. While it may hone in on special teaching methods targeted to just females or just males, it is affecting them socially. Once they go into the real world, the work force, college, etc. they will be around all different types of sexes, races, and nationalities. Even though the intention is good, I believe it is doing more harm than good. "If schools have same gender classes, I think it would be a good idea for them to still have classes with both genders. The same-gender classes would be the core academic classes such as math, literature, and science so both boys and girls can feel comfortable pursuing whatever subject they enjoyed without the stereotype. The co-ed classes would be the elective classes where boys and girls can interact with each other." This is a good compromise in my opinion and gives the sexes both a concentrated approach and the opportunity to be social with other girls and boys. I would like to see how effective this style of teaching is and the statistics of whether it is worth it in the long run or not.

[Emily Holmes]

Kayla, I agree with you completely. Single sex classrooms are only beneficial to a certain extent. They may be more profitable only for the beginning years of a student's education (single sex art, math, and science classrooms in elementary school and middle school) so young children can feel free to explore their interests in a judgement and stereotype free setting. But, like I said on my blog, we can only shelter children for so long. They need to face reality and feel comfortable with what they love and what they would like to pursue in life. People are always going to be judged and kids are going to have to realize that eventually. I also mentioned on my blog that the real world does not have single-sex work places and there are few single sex colleges. If schools are going to have single-sex classes, they should compromise, like you stated, to also have co-ed classes.