One of the issues that are being discussed in academic and political circles today is the issue on single sex schools. Traditional schools have maintained a curriculum that provides for education to males and females separately (Mendez 1). The running debate on this issues hinges around the issue on whether or not a student will receive the proper education in an environment that is just one sex. According to the supporters of the movement, all students deserve an education that nurtures them, providing opportunities and experiences that inspire their creative and intellectual minds (Mendez 1).The other side argues that a one sex system will not be able to promote the intellectual growth and development that is essential for the student (Mendez 1). This short discourse will present the stand that a single sex education is a better way for students to learn.
A single sex education, as advocated by many recent studies, has shown to be effective in improving the performance of students because it drives up the concentration among both males and females.According to the article, Separating the Sexes: A New Direction for Public Education by Teresa Mendez, The Philadelphia Girls High has consistently shown high rankings among females (Mendez 1). The girls who are enrolled in the school insist that without the distraction of boys they are able to focus more of their energies and concentration on the work that is given in school (Mendez 1). Another advantage is that it also allows the girls to develop their relationships with one another and thus forging a stronger bond between both of them.This familial bond that is created makes the atmosphere less competitive and fosters a more cooperative mood (Mendez 1).
This in effect strengthens the bond that exists between the students and makes them more efficient and effective in their academic duties. One of the arguments against instituting a single sex policy for schools is that it will set aside the thirty (30) years of gender equality that has been heralded by civil rights societies. As stated in the article, the arguments supporting single sex schools makes mention of the fact that there is very literature on this issue (Mendez 1).The reason for this is that current research on this issue indicates that girls “learn best in a friendly environment” (Mendez 1). As shown in the study at the Young Women’s Leadership School in New York, one hundred (100) percent of its students were able to get into college (Mendez 1).
The success of this East Harlem Public School that was founded in 1996 is based on the fact that ties have actually been strengthened by the fact that it is a single sex school.It has been presented that single sex schools do not contribute to the complete or optimal growth and development of the students because of the reason that children have very different learning styles (Mendez 1). According to Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), a child may learn through hearing methods, visual methods and imitation methods (Mendez 1). There is no fixed method, however, because gender cannot be considered as a “monolith” in relation to the style or ability of a student to learn.This argument does not detract, however, from the fact that despite the structure of single sex schools that have been operating in the United States today the higher performance of the single sex schools has been shown. The effectiveness of the academic and extra-curricular atmosphere has led to the better performance of these students (Mendez 1).
As has been shown in this brief discourse, there is no merit to the arguments against instituting a single sex system in schools in the United States at the present.It has been shown that students are able to perform better in that environment. The advantages such as stronger ties, lack of distractions and fixed structure all support this assertion. It remains to be seen, however, that as more and more literature is introduced with regard to this issue if the trend will continue to hold.
The best way of addressing this issue at the moment still remains to be leaving the judgment to the parents themselves.
