FL: Bill would allow schools to segregate sexes

Bill would allow _ but not require _ schools to segregate sexes



IMO, this is not a good idea.

why fix real problems, when we can impose new rules?

Segregation is segregation, is it not? If, as the Supreme Court has stated, "separate is inherently unequal," what guarantees exist that a school for boys and a school for girls will actually be equal?

Its as if, somebody is saying how many decades can we roll this country backwards.

This is a recognition of that - that boys are socialized to act a certain way, girls another. In abstract theory, this wouldn't be an issue - the education of each would be equal when thrown into the same classroom with the same teacher, the same equipment, etc.

But abstract theory has often been proven to not work in the real world where real people influence the results. The overwhelming evidence from the real world is that separating out the genders results in better learning, and allows teachers to overcome specific gender-related shortfalls. Whether they are biological or learned isn't even relevant, the fact is that testing shows a dramatic dive in boys's reading skills, and in girls' math and science skills, even though both genders start school with equivalent skill levels in each subject.

You can hold each group back in the name of being "equal" - or you can serve their separate needs in a way that allows each group to move forward more than they would if they were given identical lesson plans.

It's not really so different from gifted programs. Some people think gifted students shouldn't receive extra attention or extra classes in school because it privileges them - they should be in a regular classroom 100% of the time with the other students, so that everyone is getting an "equal" education. But if one group is being challenged in the classroom, and the other group is not being challenged at all, that's not an equal education. Similarly, in a coed classroom, if study after study is showing that one group is participating at a higher rate than the other, if teachers are calling on one group more than the other, and if lesson plans are geared more toward the skills of one group than the other, then that is not an equal education - even if they are sitting side by side in the same room.

The classes will be "separate but equal" don't you know.

:sarcasm:

The word différence is feminine. :hi:

divide and conquer wherever possible.

The reason segregating by race in schools is a stupid idea is that race doesn't correlate appreciably with educational needs.

The reason segregating by sex in schools isn't is that sex (like age and ability) does.

Here in the UK, single-sex education is common, although less so than mixed. I went to an all-boys secondary school, and while I can't be sure, I think I probably did better there than I would have if it had been mixed.

Its implementation is of concern, especially in Florida. Florida have not followed NCLB guidelines and it violated student rights without rigorous oversight.

Florida's school to prison pipeline is cause for national program implemented by ACLU and SPC.

We also have a few schools in our district that have same sex classes for middle school aged kids. They are very successful.

It's really not such a bad idea.

It was about 10 times easier that usual (middle school). The boys aren't trying to impress the girls the whole time and the girls are able to get a word in edgewise when answering questions. Everyone seemed a lot less tense in both classes.

I think it can help, rather than hinder, many kids, particularly at middle school age.

My wife went to a great women's college, and she believes she got a much better education there.