It is no secret that, in general, boys and girls differ in their learning styles. Capitalizing on these differences could advance classroom performance. With on-going concerns about student success in school, any changes in the classroom that could increase student achievement should be considered. Recognizing the learning differences between boys and girls, one of the changes that could be instituted is single-gender classrooms.
Single-gender classrooms would allow boys and girls to be instructed in a way that is conducive to them. Literature choices could be offered to girls that are different from the ones offered to the boys. Science experiments for the boys could be more hands-on and messy as opposed to the girls’ science
…show more content…
Review of the Literature When it comes to the classroom, there are several differences between girls and boys. There are physical differences in the way their brains work, differences in the room temperature that is best for boys and girls, and differences in how girls and boys respond to various tones of speech (Sax, 2006). While girls prefer soft-spoken teachers, Sax (2006) notes that boys prefer to be spoken to “loudly and in short, direct sentences with clear instructions” (p. 195). According to Sax (2006), “the ideal ambient temperature for boys is about 69 degrees and about 75 degrees for girls” (p. 193-194). Further differences involve how boys and girls learn. McNeil states that “boys may learn better under pressure and when allowed to move around...while girls may perform better in group situations and with a lot of encouragement” (McNeil, 2008). Because of these many differences, it would stand to reason that boys and girls would benefit from being in separate classrooms. According to Hughes (2007), “the teacher would be able to concentrate on the learning-styles of each sex and use the styles to bring out the academic best in each students. Lessons and activities could be designed with a single-sex in mind” (p. 11). As Principal John Fox states, “the single-sex environment enables you to actually focus on the particular needs of each gender, and those needs socially and
Single sex schools also break down gender stereotypes (“Advantages”). In coed schools, typically boys tend to overshadow equally talented girls (Mullins). Boys tend act more assertively, aggressively, vying for the teacher’s attention in the classroom, whereas girls tend to participate less due to their subservient attitude in coeducation classrooms. (Hughes). The pressure of a male dominated class may pressure girls into giving up in class. In coed schools, both genders distract each other: The students worry more about how they look than their education (Hughes). In single sex schools, however, students focus more on school than on the opposite sex (Whelan). By separating the sexes, the temptation, embarrassment, and distraction go away. This allows both genders to explore nontraditional disciplines typically not seen in coed schools. Girls take more leadership roles in the classroom, and those who give up in coed classes participate more in single-sex classes (Schultz). Girls also pursue nontraditional disciplines in single sex schools (Mullins). Girls commonly
Did you know that single-sex classrooms are the worst classes ever? Over the past decade, single-gender classrooms have been opened in at least 230 schools in the rural, suburban, and the urban areas. Single-gender classrooms are classrooms where either young girls’ are in one class together, or young boys are in another class together. Single-sex classrooms were created because studies showed that boys and girls learn differently and they could benefit from being in a classroom with peers to whom they can relate. Since 2008, single-gender education has been the key to improved educational performance among boys and girls throughout the years. Today, gender differences among girls and boys are steadily rising in the classrooms they are in,
The typical classroom consists an image of boys and girls coexisting, working together, and learning in the same way. As when you walk into certain schools you will see rooms with blue walls with race cars on it, while other rooms will have pink walls with flowers on it. These classrooms would be single-gender. Many students or parent is not given an option of single-sex classrooms without it being a private school and costing hundreds of dollars. Schools should be able to offer students more than one option without having a distraction of the opposite gender.
In today’s society, education has become a very important factor in a student 's life. Everyone tries to do and implement whatever is best for the student to learn and become successful. Therefore, as a result, society tries to separate schools based on gender. Schools should be separated by gender for many reasons. The first reason is that gender separation will help eliminate bullying. It has been demonstrated that boys, in general, tend to be more rude and violent than girls causing the boys to “bully” girls. Another reason they should be separated is to help break down stereotypes. An example of this is that girls are free of the pressure to compete with boys in male dominated subjects such as math and science. Another reason they should be separated is that it makes it easier on the teacher to use different learning techniques that are geared toward specific genders. It is a great idea to separate students by gender at schools if they want the students to have a better education. This will help prevent bullying at schools, help breakdown stereotypes, and encourage teachers to use different educational techniques.
After observing a school in Florida, the faculty learned that separating the boys and girls improved test scores immensely, and the scores are continuing to improve. Over 80% of students are now passing the tests now that they are learning in classrooms with their own gender. The improvement in test scores and the learning environments will benefit the students and help them succeed more in taking their tests.
The reasoning behind this is that girls perform better in single gender classrooms because it removes the air of worried competitiveness from the schools (Sax 245-246). In the U.S.A. the school system tried to promote gender equality by introducing a gender blind system. But, Dr Leonard Sax author of Why Gender Matters points out that this has “[lead] paradoxically to a strengthening of gender stereotypes, with the result that fewer girls take courses in physics, computer sciences, trigonometry and calculus” (99). In coed schools today girls shy away from typically boyish subjects because they feel out of place or are discouraged and boys shy away from typically girlish subjects from fear of being mocked (243). As I pointed out, girls are constantly stressed with trying to meet our cultural standards for them.
I believe there would be many more dramatic situations in a single gender classroom. If you have a classroom filled with females, they are less likely to find a compromise in an argument; therefore, making the classroom more disruptive. Furthermore, indirectly bullying another female, will also add more tension to the classroom; making the classroom more distracting. These action will ultimately lead to an unacceptable learning environment.
To say every girl is the same and every boy is the same is ridiculous. Every single person is different. Single gendered classes could bring up so many different issues with students, schools and families. Imagine you are a 8 year old student, a girl, and your family takes it upon themselves to put you in a class filled with the same gender. They didn’t ask what you’d like, as if your opinion on the topic didn’t matter. Let’s also say you don’t like the class because you don’t get along with the other girls. You don’t dress in pink, you dress in blue. You don’t like all the same things they do. You don’t paint your nails. You don’t have long glorious hair. All your friends are boys. So now you’re forced into this class with not a single boy.
Many schools across the country are now changing their average classrooms to “segregated” classes. Despite the students choice of being into a classroom like this there are still various controversial issues that cause chaos when people talk about single gender classrooms. Some people believe single gender classrooms are beneficial to the students and some believe they are the worst thing man could have created but, both of those statements are very inaccurate. There are many downfalls for single classes one being the students will have a hard time socializing with the opposing gender
Single-sex education consists of separating male and female students and teaching them in different schools or classes. Although controversial and often looked as antiquated, more Americans have been considering single-sex schools as a viable option since the early 2000’s. The reason? With various problems public school education faces, many parents have been looking at single-sex education as a potential solution to some of those problems. In addition, with the very convincing gender rhetoric those in favor for single-sex schooling use, it’s become a seemingly inviting and rational choice. But, schools should not employ single-sex classes because the long list of socio-psychological consequences on children, insufficient empirical data, and the false claims used in favor for single-sex education outweigh the so-called minimal advantages of single-gender classes.
The driving force to this surge is the recent research which shows that natural differences in how males and females learn. Putting this research in practice, however has prompted a heated debate that goes beyond the pure academics bringing in play the civil rights, political, socioeconomic and legal concerns. The debate helps us understand the sides to take as its shows the cons and pros of single-sex education system.
In single sex schools boys and girls excel in subjects they usually would not. Single sex schools help children do well in subjects they usually would not be good at or subjects they would not usually try. For example girls do better at maths and science in all-girl schools; boys do better in languages and the arts in all boy schools. My first example to backup my point is a study by Cambridge University in 2006 where their research showed “boys improved in english and foreign languages in single sex classes, and girls improved in maths and physics. This proves girls and boys do better in subjects they usually would not do because they are more comfortable in a single sex school rather than a co-educational school. A second piece of evidence to help argue my point is a United States study that found boys at single sex
Not only does single-sex education create negative transitions into society, but it has been shown to negatively affect boys health and maturity. There has been many studies that show that girls do in fact, have a positive influence on a boy’s maturity. Theoretically it would only be the same in single-sex classrooms. Girls in school, typically have much higher concentration and ability to understand the lesson being taught to them. When in an environment with girls, the boys are able to think in a different way than in an all boy class, because the girls focus in on different perspectives that a guy’s maturity level would not usually be able to comprehend (‘pros
Students in single gender schools break out of their gender roles. According to Jeanne Sather, Magnet Schools of America Conference, “supporters of same-sex education say it builds confidence and helps students concentrate on their work by removing the distractions of dating and other social pursuits.” The goal that teachers want students to reach is to endure as much learning as they can. Boys and girls become more open-minded when it comes to choosing subjects in single gender schools as if they were switching gender roles. Females refer more to masculine activities and males refer to feminine activities (Andre). Single gender schools teach students how to expand their subject choices. Effective teaching of children
Single-sex education has been growing in popularity since the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act was passed, allowing local educational agencies to use “Innovative Programs” funds to support same-gender schools and classrooms “consistent with existing law.” The U.S. Department of Education loosened its Title IX regulation in 2006 to diminish prohibitions on single-sex education. While simply separating boys and girls doesn’t guarantee success, schools that use best practices for gender-specific teaching may be more successful at teaching to boys’ and girls’ strengths. Many experts say much of the success of single-sex schools stems from a demanding curriculum and a focus on extracurricular activities. These things are gains that would have been seen regardless of whether the opposite sex was in attendance. Coeducation advocates and researchers also report that segregating students by gender can lead to greater gender discrimination and make it harder for students to deal with the other sex later in life. What the two sides can agree on, however, is that every child is unique and deserves an education that uses evidence-based teaching approaches to meet their particular needs.