Colleges and universities are experimenting with female-only courses, which may be taught by men but discourage male student enrollment. Supporters feel the classes boost female self-esteem and provide a less competitive atmosphere. The courses frequently concern women's issues and encourage women to share personal experiences and views. Many…

Compared two single-sex and two coeducational fifth-grade classes (90 students) from inner-city schools for academic achievement. Class grades were consistently higher in the single-sex classes, although the difference was not always statistically significant. Standardized-test data showed no trend, although coeducational groups performed better…

Details a study in which grade 9 females were assigned to either an all-female or mixed-sex algebra class. Findings indicate that the all-female intervention group demonstrated a greater gain in math scores between grades 8-11 than the nonintervention group. Contains 41 references. (DDR)

Gender segregation in the classroom is advocated as academically beneficial, particularly for girls. However, the social impact for children has received little attention. The present study compared children's peer relations following the transition from mixed-sex fourth-grade classrooms to same-sex fifth-grade classrooms, and beyond into same-sex…

In March, 2004, the federal Department of Education issued proposed Title IX regulations that promise to provide public school districts and charter school organizers considerable flexibility in establishing single-sex classes and schools. At the same time, however, as part of the No Child Left Behind Act, the Department has called for…

Results of an experiment offering single-sex and mixed-sex physics classes in a private secondary school indicated that girls in single-sex classes participated more frequently; students overall experienced greater learner satisfaction; and single-sex classes had a statistically significant, positive influence on girls' interest in physics-related…

Investigates the relationship between mathematical achievement and the ratio of boys to girls in a sample of third-grade Norwegian elementary school students. States that belonging to classes with a numerical majority of boys or girls did not affect the achievement of either gender. Opposes the single-sexing of mathematics teaching. (27 citations)…

To counter gender bias effects and improve student learning, staff at a Virginia middle school decided to group eighth-grade students by gender for math and science instruction. Girls felt freer to speak out. Grade point averages in gender-based science and math classes for both girls and boys were higher than in coeducational classes. (MLH)

It has been argued that "leadership" is seen as being centrally synonymous with school effectiveness and yet there is comparatively little evidence of the effects of leadership on school outcomes. More specifically, studies of principalship in Hong Kong have tended to be conducted in the quantitative tradition. The study described in…

A private alternative school in the slums of New Delhi (India) is committed to ending female child labor and ensuring that its students don't grow up poor. The school was able to enroll girls in its all-female afternoon classes by getting their mothers involved in income-generating cooperatives. The students often outperform their peers in state…

Among the intervention strategies designed to increase the participation and achievement of girls in mathematics and science education, the establishment of single-sex classes in Australian coeducational postprimary schools seems to be growing faster than the substantive evidence to justify it. The findings from a longitudinal case study are…

An interview with two American University professors who authored a book on how American schools treat little girls discusses what gender equity is, what gender bias in classrooms looks like, whether gender bias cheats boys as well as girls, and whether they favor single-sex classes and schools. (SM)

A single-sex group learning project involving 100 seventh graders yielded positive results. Behavior improved without teacher intervention, particularly among the boys. Also, students' attitudes and motivation improved immensely, along with work habits and academic performance. Students reported that they enjoyed working and competing in teams.…

The influence of two subgroups (male and female) on their larger middle-school community are examined. Participant observation of two single-sex classes in an urban middle school reveals both negative and positive effects. The classes differed in organization, goals, sense of community, and actual or potential fracturing or strengthening effects.…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coeducational (coed) and single-gender game-play settings on the activity levels of Caucasian and African American high school physical education students. Students participated in flag football, ultimate Frisbee, and soccer units. Classes were as follows: there were two coed classes, two…