Single-Gender Classrooms

It is no secret that, in general, boys and girls differ in their learning styles. Capitalizing on these differences could advance classroom performance. With on-going concerns about student success in school, any changes in the classroom that could increase student achievement should be considered. Recognizing the learning differences between boys and girls, one of the changes that could be instituted is single-gender classrooms.

Single-gender classrooms would allow boys and girls to be instructed in a way that is conducive to them. Literature choices could be offered to girls that are different from the ones offered to the boys. Science experiments for the boys could be more hands-on and messy as opposed to the girls’ science experiments. By offering instruction that is differentiated and by offering instructional activities that suit their curiosity and personalities, the students’ interest in the subject area should increase thereby increasing student achievement.

The purpose of this study is to examine single-gender classrooms at two local public schools and determine if the students’ academic achievement has increased as a result of being in that type of classroom setting. This study will also examine whether students’ attitudes toward school were affected by being in a single-gender classroom. Specific questions to be addressed are: How has academic achievement increased/decreased for each subject and gender? Has participating in single-gender classrooms affected discipline problems or attendance? Are there disadvantages of having single-gender classrooms?

If it can be shown that participating in single-gender classrooms increases students’ academic performance, this information would be beneficial to both adminis...

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