Mixed or single sex schools (college, elementary school, computer science, grades)
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Which do you think is better and why?
Does it make a difference in the age like is mixed ok in elementary and not in high school? Thoughts.
Oh my goodness....the drama you could avoid by making high school single gender..
I'd like to, at least, see single gender classrooms. I'm not sure if it's relevent anymore but I remember reading some research, years ago, that found that girls fall behind in mixed math and science classrooms but hold their own if you put them in a class with all girls.
I can't remember the percentages so I'll just pick 15%. The study found that 15% of kids excel in any classroom BUT in a mixed classroom, the majority will be boys. You get the same 15% (or whatever the percentage was) excelling in single gender classrooms which means more girls excelling (and fewer boys). They threw around all kinds of theories as to why but the point is, girls aren't worse at math and science. There's something about a mixed gender classroom that holds them back.
The research shows that single sex classrooms benefit both boys and girls. I don't know that you need to have single sex schools, but single sex classrooms within schools seem to be a good idea.
Percentage of students scoring proficient on the FCAT
boys in coed classes: 37% scored proficient
girls in coed classes: 59% scored proficient
girls in single-sex classes: 75% scored proficient
boys in single-sex classes: 86% scored proficient.
Remember, these students were all learning the same curriculum in the same school. And, this school "mainstreams" students who are learning-disabled, or who have ADHD etc. Many of those boys who scored proficient in the all-boys classes had previously been labeled "ADHD" or "ESE" in coed classes.
Another interesting study focused on breadth of educational opportunity in single sex schools.
Most of the studies comparing single-sex education with coeducation focus on grades and test scores as the parameters of interest. Before we look at those studies, we want you to consider another variable altogether: namely, breadth of educational opportunity. Girls in all-girls schools are more likely to study subjects such as advanced math, computer science, and physics. Boys in all-boys schools are more than twice as likely to study subjects such as foreign languages, art, music, and drama. Those boys might not get better grades in those subjects than comparable boys get in more gender-typical subjects. Studies which focus only on grades and test scores won't detect any difference in outcome. For more about benefits beyond grades and test scores, see the advantages for girls page and the advantages for boys page.
The research shows that single sex classrooms benefit both boys and girls. I don't know that you need to have single sex schools, but single sex classrooms within schools seem to be a good idea.
Thanks for the information. I knew it mattered for girls but didn't realize it matters for boys too. I'm wondering if it's subject dependent. I had read that girls perform better in math and science when placed in single gender classrooms. I'm wondering if the gains for boys are in other subjects like language arts in which girls usually perform better?
Thanks for the information. I knew it mattered for girls but didn't realize it matters for boys too. I'm wondering if it's subject dependent. I had read that girls perform better in math and science when placed in single gender classrooms. I'm wondering if the gains for boys are in other subjects like language arts in which girls usually perform better?
I am pretty sure that the study does point to subject dependency and boys doing better in reading and language arts in single sex classrooms.
I love that notion as well, of single sex classrooms, but mixed within the school. Many girls don't want to be assertive when surrounded by boys in High School. I also notice that in elementary school with the boys in writing. The girls seem to do it so much better than the boys, the boys have an 'I don't care and I'm not even going to try because its stupid' mentality. I guess that's the same mentality some of the girls get with science and math later. And girls MIGHT actually participate in PE.
Girls actually outperform boys in math all the way through high school in some big study. When they get to college, they don't choose math/science careers.
In my experience, boys are a lot more competitive and will join math competition teams, etc. Girls don't get as emotional about it, but they are more meticulous.
If they had all boys schools, I would definitely make sure not to teach there.
I understand everyone's point and all the studies (i have all girls gym and no one plays!) but I just feel personally social life will be affected. I find that girls are catty and guys are aggressive. I think having 2 sexes in school helps balance that out. For example, some of my best friends including my absolute best friend are guys. I have a few girl friends but guys tend to be less drama filled, all my girl friends have something going on and my guy friends are introduced to someone new they do that pound/ hug thing and are like "hey what's up " i feel like my guy friends keep me grounded fromthe stories about my friends drama! ( I never have drama)
I think it would be easier for girls and guys to get into fights being in same sex classes... With girls there's gossip and judgement, too many of the same hormones... imagine a group of emotional girls -_____- NO FUN! or hothead testosterone filled guys... yeah...
speaking from a social perspective does your view change?
[quote=nana053;21118090]The research shows that single sex classrooms benefit both boys and girls. I don't know that you need to have single sex schools, but single sex classrooms within schools seem to be a good idea.
Good Lord! This is my district and the school is just a few miles from me, and I have never heard this happening! I passed it along to some administrators here at my school. VERY interesting!!!!
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