News

Study shows single-gender classes on the rise

January 17, 2008

Single-gender classrooms are becoming more prevalent in South Carolina, and according to a recently-released survey from the state Department of Education, students are pretty satisfied with the education they're getting in this type of setting.

Seventy-five percent of the approximately 1,700 students in grades two through nine who voluntarily participated in the survey said their classroom environment was aiding them.

Both genders provided positive assessments of their instruction in classes of only one gender, but girls tended to react more favorably. Four out of five girls said being among other females improved their confidence, made them feel more independent and heightened their participation in class.

Elementary school students responded more positively than did those in middle and high school, but positive assessments came from all ethnic groups.

"More and more South Carolina parents are choosing this option whenever and wherever it's made available," said state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex. "This new survey shows that kids see value, too. They believe this approach helps them perform at a higher level."

Under Rex's leadership, the state's Department of Education created an office of Public School Choice. Rex has advocated more options for parents and students in the form of single-gender classrooms, magnet programs and Montessori schools.

More than 150 public schools in the state are expected to offer the single-gender option to parents next school year, according to the state department.

David Chadwell, the department's single-gender coordinator, said the student survey is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. Students were asked to agree or disagree with statements that said being in a single-gender program had increased or improved their self-confidence, desire to succeed in school, interest in trying new ways to learn, independence, participation during class, ability to succeed in school, attitude in school, behavior in school and grades.

The survey was posted on the department's Web site in November and December, and all schools with single-gender programs were able to participate. Locally, students at Bates Middle School in Sumter School District 17, Manning Primary School in Clarendon School District 2 and West Lee Elementary School in Lee County School District participated in the survey.

The education department released only statewide results because the numbers of responses from individual schools were too small to be of statistical value, Chadwell said.

Bates Principal Dr. Vanessa Lancaster, who is in the midst of her first year at the school, came to Bates with a single-gender program already in existence. Former Principal Anthony Graham began the initiative, and Lancaster said she was excited to come aboard a school offering this particular choice.

"Initially, I wanted to make sure I was educated on the concept," she said. Since coming to Bates, she said she's taken it upon herself to be as familiar with single-gender education as she can, while also familiarizing the rest of the faculty and staff.

Chadwell has visited the school several times throughout the year to assist with ongoing professional development for Bates' teachers, Lancaster said. Teachers are also reading from the books "Girls Will be Girls," "Teaching the Male Brain" and "The Minds of Boys."

In Sumter School District 2, Rafting Creek Elementary provides single-gender instruction to fifth-grade students. Deputy Superintendent for Instruction Henrietta Green said the school is seeing positive results.

"The program at Rafting Creek shows success in that the school has seen a decrease in discipline infraction and they've seen a rise in academic achievement," she said.

Proponents of single-gender classrooms say being in classrooms with the same gender allows for boys and girls to better focus on learning rather than be distracted by impressing one another. Learning styles also differ and teaching can be made more gender-specific in single-gender classrooms.

Dr. Yvonne Barnes, assistant superintendent for instruction in Sumter School District 17, said she's glad the district is able to provide the option of a different style of education to its students.

"I just think it's a great idea and I like the concept of having flexibility within the school setting, so that they can really look at their data and research strategies that might possibly work for their students," she said.

The Item
By Mary Dolan
Contact Staff Writer Mary Dolan at mdolan@theitem.com or (803) 774-1294.