Considering the many challenges facing schools in southeast Seattle, some have suggested that educating girls and boys separately may help fix our public schools, others say the concept simply reinforces outmoded gender stereotypes.What do you think?
From Newsweek:
If you thought charter schools and ending teacher tenure were controversial fixes for the American school system, see what happens you bring up the idea of educating boys and girls separately. With male academic achievement declining by almost every measure, and their scores possibly dragging down national averages, administrators are taking a fresh look at same-sex classrooms and the concept that boys and girls might do better when they’re apart. Why is it such a hot-button topic? Well, because it goes against 30 years of thinking, and smacks of “separate but equal” education.
The advocates of the single-sex approach are surprising, as are the foes. Among many liberal thinkers, gender segregation sounds like regressing to a time when girls were educated in finishing schools and had access to neither the number, nor caliber of schools available to boys. Plus, the notion that boys and girls learn differently—touted by some as the primary rational for gender separation—goes against one of feminism’s (at least the 1970s version) main messages. To say that there is something inherently different between boys and girls is, for many, tantamount to saying that women are the weaker sex.
For these reasons, Democratic politicians spent decades fighting vehemently against loosening legislation to allow public schools to offer same-sex classes. But in 2001, Sen. Hillary Clinton linked the issue to class—citing an unfairness in the fact that single-sex education is available as a choice only to those who can afford private-school tuition. Clinton, a graduate of all-women’s Wellesley College, joined forces with Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to successfully bring about legislative change. Since then, the number of public schools offering same-sex classes has grown from 11 to 540—still a relatively small figure in the big picture, but a jump of more than 4,000 percent nonetheless. Read more.
Rainier Beach High School has faced numerous challenges over the years. Photo/do communications
Related:
- Urban League Partners With Rainier Beach HS to Help Athletes Thrive (6/17/10)
- Rainier Beach High to Get Second Principal (1/11/10)
- Rainier Beach High School Counselor Indicted on Drug Charges (12/11/09)
- SPS Community Blog Raising Money to Buy Textbooks for Rainier Beach High (11/13/09)
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
{ 9 comments }
South Seattle schools have been self-segregating racially for years , this could only improve things.
The gangbanger lifestyle is only glorified in the eyes of the male if there is a female to witness it. Take away the female component or the promise of a female prize at the other end of deviant behavior, and a new game will be played. It might escalate to something akin to competition for intelligence.
One can only hope.
Growing up in SE Seattle has its challenges so it may help the student to be in an environment where they can focus, build esteem and LEARN. Girls & boys brains are wired differently so I think that it would provide the learning & discipline so teachers are not acting like zookeepers all day.
@Funding Arts
“The gangbanger lifestyle is only glorified in the eyes of the male if there is a female to witness it.”
I’m going to have to call BS on that one. The gangbanger life style is just as glorified in the eyes of the male if he has all his “peers” to witness it, maybe more so. There does not have to be a female within 20 miles and you will get shot just the same. The females don’t give him street cred, just some coochie.
For the past 20 years and more, studies have shown that when boys and girls are entering middle school, going to a same sex school will increase performance and build a stronger foundation for future social and academic growth.
some references:
http://www.4troubledteens.com/singlesexschools.html
http://www.girlslearndifferently.com/
http://www.ncgs.org/aboutgirlsschools/
http://www.theibsc.org/
http://www.teenboardingschools.com/boysboardingschools.htm
I am completely skeptical of SPS’s ability to actually promote passion and critical-thinking in our children.
I like the idea of same-sex classrooms, but once the legislature, teacher’s union, school board, and SPS administration put their fingerprints all over this, well, even a good idea can get screwed up.
Not a great post on my part, but that’s just how I am feeling this morning.
As someone who has volunteered at Rainier Beach High School my opinion is that this is exactly what needs to happen there. Imagine a free all Girls Academy focusing on academic rigor and building self-esteem among our local female youth. There would be waiting list to get in.
Unfortunately, our School District leaders (Board & Superintendent) lack the courage to even explore this format. Hint hint Betty Patu.
G
We can blame the school board, union, etc all we want, but how come there is never any talk of bad parents? They are the core reason a school fails: If you have a strong parent community that realizes the value of education, teachers are held accountable, and inspired to do a good job. If you have a bunch of disengaged parents (for whatever reason – I know that a lot of times it’s not their fault) or large groups of parents who fight any attempt to curb their little darling’s bad behavior, you have a bad school.
As for the gender separation, I think it’s a good idea in pure academic situations, but they should definitely have some interaction – like in choir and gym class. And maybe the AP courses should stay mixed – those kids have shown their ability to learn in a mixed environment, and maybe that will inspire some of the other kids to study harder so they can get into AP programs
Lastly, I’d like to see more vocational training in the schools, including pre-apprenticeship classes. Those are about the only good jobs left for kids who don’t have the opportunity to get Masters degrees, and we’re already seeing a shortage of people in the trades.
Without proper funding of schools this is just rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic.
Give funding so schools have resources to implement
strategic programs and follow through and you’ll see
change. No funds, no strategy, no change.
FYI. Se schools aren’t segregated by race. They are segregated by opportunity to escape.
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