subject: Single Sex Education [print this page] Your child may be a student who thrives both socially and academically in a typical, co-ed public school with no issues whatsoever. On the other hand, your child may be one who is much more successful in a smaller classroom setting, or in one that allows for different types of learning styles, or in one that is composed of just boys or just girls. Single sex education is one option, among many, that may be just the right fit for your child.
Some parents may choose to put their children in schools that are gender-separate in nature because that was their own educational experience and they know it and prefer it. Some may choose this type of school because their local public school is not a good fit for their child. Some parents feel very strongly that co-ed classrooms are distracting and possibly even gender biased.
In a classroom or school that offers a gender-separate format, some students may feel freer to express themselves, to choose different courses of study, or to speak up and participate than they would be in a co-ed environment. It has been argued that removing male-female socialization issues from the classroom allows for a more intensive focus on academics.
When boys no longer have to worry about impressing girls and girls dont have to compete for the attention of boys, a different ability to focus exists. There is also the perception that single sex schools are more academically oriented than co-ed schools.
It is not simply enough, however, to separate boys and girls by class or by school, but rather teachers must have specific and specialized training in leading such classrooms. An understanding of gender differences in learning is critical to the success of this type of classroom or school.
There are biological differences in the male and female brains, and as such, there are innate learning differences. Boys, for example, may be much more engaged by a teaching lesson that is hands-on, involves role-playing and drama or where they learn by doing. Girls, in their classroom setting, may work more effectively in collaboration, in quieter settings and may be more successful in competing against high standards than against one another. These are obviously generalities, as not all boys or girls learn in the same way or respond in the same way to the same teaching method.
Teachers at all boy schools may have more dynamic, changing, moving, high energy classroom environments. An element of competition, and lessons that relate to life experiences may also be commonly used techniques in all boy classrooms.
All girl classrooms may be more seminar style in nature, and may involve substantial language use and analysis. A friendly, encouraging tone may be used more often as part of teaching style in an all girls setting, and collaborative, small group work is often extremely effective.
