Single-sex education describes a diverse range of situations, including individual classes, programs after school, required programs, voluntary programs, and programs to remedy gender inequities and encourage cultural and racial pride. This brief addresses the genesis and legality of single-sex classrooms, the merits and critiques of single-sex…

Recent international education reports have highlighted some of the progress (as well as remaining disparity) in gendered education enrollment rates. But, the problem of gender segregation is still a very real issue even in some nations where girls are enrolled at levels on par with boys. Separate classes, curricula, and in many countries separate…

The number of public schools offering single-sex instruction has risen from fewer than a dozen to 205 since 1997, with classrooms sprouting up in places such as Atlanta, New York, and Philadelphia, says Leonard Sax, a psychologist and physician who directs the National Association for Single Sex Public Education, in Maryland. The increase is…

The current debate about boys' education risks taking us back decades in terms of understanding the significance of gender in relation to education. Of particular concern here is the tendency within such debates to rely on dichotomous understandings of gender which reinscribe essentialist understandings of both "girls" and…

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance. This digest focuses on the theme of single-sex education. Articles featured in this issue include: (1) "Single-Sex Education" (Diane S. Pollard); (2) "A Legal Framework for Single-Sex…

Points out the sex differences in enrollment in computer science courses and less experience among females with computers. Discusses female confidence in computer use in single sex classrooms, and indicates the increasing confidence level and more risk taking among female students. Describes components of a successful program and the importance of…

Traditionally, single-sex education has been provided in the form of private schooling. Title IX regulations have loosened as a result of the No Child Left Behind Legislation; therefore, public school districts now have the legal right to create single-sex classes or single-sex schools if they deem it to be in the best interest of their students.…

Examines students' perceptions of learning settings in single-sex and mixed-sex mathematics classes and teachers' responses to those different classroom contexts. Concludes that single-sex classrooms provide a more supportive environment for girls but a significantly less supportive environment for boys. The single-sex environment provides…

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…

This issue of "Focus On" examines where boys are underachieving and some possible reasons for their under-achievement, including biological and environmental factors. It also offers strategies that teachers can employ in their classrooms in order to address the educational needs of boys. Books in Brief; Web Resources; and Related ERS Resources are…

This book examines research and public policy regarding single-sex schooling, particularly girls-only classes in public, coeducational schools. The book explains that since the passage of Title IX in 1972, which calls for equal access and participation regardless of gender, educators have attempted to address gender equity issues in schools. It…

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)

This ethnographic study documents how accountability measures skewed the implementation of gender equity reform at one California public middle school serving low-income students of color. In creating single-sex classes throughout the school, the Single Sex Academy (SSA) became the largest public experiment with single-sex schooling in the…

Since public schools have been largely unable to address gender-based academic achievement inequalities and often ignore sexual-harassment incidents, there has been increasing discussion and study of all-girl classes and schools. Several studies have shown promising results--especially for science classes. Programs in Maine, Virginia, San…

Girls-only programs in Canadian public schools are a recent phenomenon; and, similar to the U.S. context, they have been designed primarily to provide equitable education for girls (boys programs are even newer and more scarce). A study investigated three such programs in Western Canada, each having similar and unique features. Research was…