What do you think about gender-segregated classrooms?

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 10-25-2006, 06:52 PM

I've heard about gender-segregated classrooms before but tonight on the national news they had a big story on it.

I don't agree with it- so far there aren't any hard figures on whether or not it actually improves student success. Part of a school's job is socialization, and I feel that if students are segregated they will not learn a vital part of socialization.

Plus, I think there is always the risk of "separate but equal"...but not really.

What do you think?

**RICHARD** · 10-25-2006, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Pembroke_Corgi

I've heard about gender-segregated classrooms before but tonight on the national news they had a big story on it.

I don't agree with it- so far there aren't any hard figures on whether or not it actually improves student success. Part of a school's job is socialization, and I feel that if students are segregated they will not learn a vital part of socialization.

Plus, I think there is always the risk of "separate but equal"...but not really.

What do you think?

Stupid,

I do remember the day in junior high when they girls were mysteriously separated from the guys....

The girls would come back to the class pale and tight lipped...

It wasn't until later I found out why!

**lizbud** · 10-25-2006, 07:05 PM

Hey, I saw that segment on the news also. It does work, really. When
I first heard them talking about it, I said, "heck, the Catholic schools have
done that for years.

Especially for jr high, and high school classes.

I did like the fact that some Virginia classes are useing segregated classes
for math & science classes. believe me, kids learn more & can actually
keep their heads in the class work, instead of on each other.

**IRescue452** · 10-25-2006, 08:48 PM

From a sociological standpoint it would be great for females' success. Males tend to be more aggressive in the classroom setting and therefore get more attention (positive and negative) from teachers-from preschool on they dominate and the students are socialized this way. Its been studied that even today things happen in the classroom that make it unequal. Males who blurt out in the classroom are often allowed to do so while teachers remind little girls that they must raise their hands.

**Killearn Kitties** · 10-26-2006, 05:03 AM

I'm surprised to hear you say there are no statistics available on the effect of segregation on students' success. I have always been under the impression that girls perform better, while boys perform slightly less well in segregated classes.

**smokey the elder** · 10-26-2006, 07:05 AM

Statistics were in fact quoted last night for a school (I don't remember which one.) Without knowing the sample size and how they were collected, at face value they seemed pretty impressive. I think it was 100% graduation vs. 68%, and 86% going to college vs. 31%, for a specific charter school (girls only) vs. the public school.

I think it's a good idea with the usual caveats on making sure the resources are allocated fairly between boys' and girls' schools. At the end of the day, it should be up to the parents (and perhaps the student him/herself) if single-gender classes are right for them.

**JenBKR** · 10-26-2006, 07:26 AM

I think it's a great idea - studies show that girls and boys learn differently, and with some classes being segregated teachers can concentrate on teaching to that particular gender. Also, I think once puberty starts, many kids (boys expecially!) concentrate more on kids of the opposite gender than on their studies. They've been talking about this a lot on the radio this morning, and there are lots of people supporting it here. I should also add that I personally think it would be best if only some classes are segregated, then have some time with boys and girls together.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 10-26-2006, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by smokey the elder

Statistics were in fact quoted last night for a school (I don't remember which one.) Without knowing the sample size and how they were collected, at face value they seemed pretty impressive. I think it was 100% graduation vs. 68%, and 86% going to college vs. 31%, for a specific charter school (girls only) vs. the public school.

I think it's a good idea with the usual caveats on making sure the resources are allocated fairly between boys' and girls' schools. At the end of the day, it should be up to the parents (and perhaps the student him/herself) if single-gender classes are right for them.

But, they only used two schools to compare this information, which wouldn't hold up statistically.

I would like to see a controlled study of many different classrooms with different ages and subjects...