Single Sex Schools

The Michigan Legislature is currently considering legislation that would permit public schools to offer single sex education. Indeed there is growing momentum nationwide to permit single sex education. Single sex schools have the potential to create wonderful learning communities for all. However, certain organizations, such as the ACLU, have opposed such moves arguing that they are permit segregation and are thereby unconstitutional.

Students who attend single sex schools are often better able to focus on educational attainment without the pressure brought on by peers from the opposite sex. They don't have to worry about how they are being perceived. Research demonstrates that it is often easier for girls to assume ledership positions when boys are not present. Indeed as the graduate of a high school that segregated sex for certain classes and not for others I can specifically remember less social pressure stemming from segregated classes. It was easier to just relax and "be me."

I'm not really sure that I understand the problem with segregation of sexes. Certainly, I recognize the racism of segregation that occurred in American schools prior to the Civil Rights Movement and unfortunately continues in some places today. I am certainly strongly opposed to such segregation. However, there is a significant difference between segregation of race and segregation of gender. When schools were segregated by race, community leaders often intentionally sent African-Americans to schools that had fewer resources. Science labs did not measure up, gymnasiums were not as luxurious, and certainly teachers had fewer skills and socio-economic resources that they could bestow on their students. Often the sole purpose of "Black Schools" was to continue to subjogate students.

I dont' think that very many respected community leaders or educators in the United States today want to subjogate either girls or boys. Indeed since the public as a whole does not want to do this, we could continue to monitor the quality of schools to insure that this does not occur. If all of the sudden either gender schools began to demonstrate lower standardized test scores, instead of higher scores, it would be a clear indication that something was not working well. If single sex schools have a purpose, rather than lowering scores they should promote higher scores and greater achievement. Furthermore, unlike race-segregated schools, students do not have to attend gender-segregated schools. I'm certain that most schools will continue to welcome both genders.

I welcome the potential of single sex schools to give both boys and girls increased educational opportunities.