Same gender classes may be cost effective, but at what cost? Recently there have been many different budget crunching unconventional alternatives in education that promise low cost opportunities that will increase student performance. Online classes, flipped classes, home school academies, one-to-one technology initiatives, are a few different ways given as education innovations. All of them have their positives and negatives, and some may not be so cost effective. Same gender classes might be an option that, with some creative scheduling, may offer a learning option statistically supported to increase student performance and scores.
Separating girls and boys in the public school generates debate into how different students think, and some even wonder if it is discrimination. GreatSchools.org says that there are many factors that must be considered when discussing same gender classes. The physical and mental development of the whole child needs to be examined to determine if a single gender class is the perfect set up before a move like this should be made. Professional development for teachers will also need consideration for teachers to understand the differences in male and female learners.
The idea of same gender classes is fascinating discussion, and it was presented to the sixth grade students at our school. Each class was given some of the resources attached to this blog to build their background knowledge on what the pros and cons of same gender classes might be. For one entire class period, our sixth graders were separated and taught in a single gender atmosphere. The lesson involved three levels of learning, considering silent reading and responding individually, working in pairs to complete a task, and finally in small groups to end the hour and provide a summary to the lesson. All of these parts may make up the lessons of a mixed gender class almost every day.What were the results? As part of this assignment, I am asking my sixth graders to express their thinking on the topic of same gender classes. As a participant of our activity, what did you think? Did you change your mind about same gender classes? What was the most powerful thing you noticed? Let the discussion begin.
Check out our November post from last year. See what kids had to say last year.
As a reader and observer of this post, check out the resources attached. Feel free to comment on what you think about same gender classes as a cost effective way for schools to improve student performance.
