While single-sex programs have always been an option in the private school sector, public schools could only separate boys and girls for instruction in physical education, sex education, and choruses because of Title IX restrictions. However, in 2006, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights changed Title IX restrictions related to single-sex education programs.  Under the new, more relaxed regulations, public schools can offer single-sex alternatives in the classroom as long as a few stipulations are met: Programs must be voluntary for students, programs must meet a governmental or educational objective, and a single-sex or co-ed alternative must be offered for the opposite sex.

The number of single-sex education programs in public schools has shown tremendous growth from only three programs in 1995, to more than 200 in 2006 (the time of the change in restrictions), to at least 442 for the 2008-2009 school year.  This growth indicates high and increasing demand from students, parents, and schools for single-sex alternatives.

Backlash

Despite this popularity, single-sex programs have come under attack by liberal activist groups that claim the programs discriminate against girls and lead to separate and unequal education.  These claims are not based on fact. They assume that educators will seek to marginalize female students, and ignore research that indicates that single-sex education programs can benefit students.

Benefits of Single-Sex Education

Research shows that at least some students benefit greatly from single-sex education.  Research findings suggest that:

• Female students in a single-sex environment do not tie their self-esteem as closely with their looks.
• Female students who participated in single-sex education earn higher wages later in life (on average).
• All students in single-sex environments are more likely to take gender-atypical classes.

Also, research indicates that the biological differences in the male and female brains could have a great impact on the classroom, and on best teaching practices.  For example, research suggests that male and female brains assess risks differently and develop spatial memory, language skills, motor skills, and social skills in a different order and at different times and rates. Educators in a single-sex environment can take these facts into account and to create more effective programs for males and females.

Results

Schools with single-sex education programs have seen positive effects on achievement tests, collegiate enrollment, employment, nontraditional college major choice (for females) and political activism (for females).   These results suggest that many students will benefit from enrolling in single-sex education.   However, one doesn't have to agree that single-sex education is superior.  This is about giving students and parents more choice.

Parents and educators at the local level know better than anyone what programs will best serve their students. That is why they-not bureaucrats or interest groups-should make the choice about whether to use single-sex education programs. The voluntary nature of these programs ensures that no one would be forced to participate, and co-ed options would remain available. To provide the option of single-sex education would not harm anyone. But to rule that single-sex programs are discriminatory would gravely misinterpret the regulations put forth in Title IX, and would unnecessarily and wrongfully limit the choices of parents and students everywhere.

All information taken from Title IX and Single-sex Education, available at iwf.org.