The single-sex schools debate. In the world of education, it just never seems to go away.
It’s in the news once again thanks to Dr. Chris Spence, the Toronto District School Board’s new education director. He’s calling for the creation of an all-male school, or “Male Leadership Academy,” in the city of Toronto. It would include mostly male teachers, “boy friendly” teaching tactics, and obviously- no girls.
His rationale stems from widespread male disengagement at school which he argues leads to increased violence, lower test scores, and more suspensions.
When I was 14 and my Dad suggested I attend an all-girls high school, I passionately disagreed, mainly for social reasons. I was never boy crazy but I definitely liked having them around. Educationally speaking, I was succeeding in a co-ed school, why change? But the more time I’ve spent in classrooms since my secondary school days, the more I understand his rationale for proposing such a move.
Boys and girls are socialized differently and as a result, learn differently; act differently; participate differently; and prioritize differently. As such, it’s a huge challenge for a single teacher to be able to adequately and simultaneously engage the minds of thirty boys and girls, each with individual learning styles. Granted that is a teacher's job, they are being paid to do just that, but splitting boys and girls would benefit educators and students alike. It would enable teachers to tailor their teaching strategies to their particular group thus increasing student engagement and facilitating learning.
BUT (and this is a big but) schools are institutions of socialization. They are where students learn about themselves, difference, relationships, and human interaction. They should be microcosms of the communities in which students live. The value of boy-girl interaction cannot be underestimated. Outside of schools, men and women co-exist as employees, neighbours, friends, lovers, and partners. Putting kids in all-male or all-female settings is artificial and its academic benefits may be muted by its social shortfalls.
My answer? Single-sex classes in co-ed schools. This set-up would prioritize what matters: engaged students and healthy relationships.
It’s in the news once again thanks to Dr. Chris Spence, the Toronto District School Board’s new education director. He’s calling for the creation of an all-male school, or “Male Leadership Academy,” in the city of Toronto. It would include mostly male teachers, “boy friendly” teaching tactics, and obviously- no girls.
His rationale stems from widespread male disengagement at school which he argues leads to increased violence, lower test scores, and more suspensions.
When I was 14 and my Dad suggested I attend an all-girls high school, I passionately disagreed, mainly for social reasons. I was never boy crazy but I definitely liked having them around. Educationally speaking, I was succeeding in a co-ed school, why change? But the more time I’ve spent in classrooms since my secondary school days, the more I understand his rationale for proposing such a move.
Boys and girls are socialized differently and as a result, learn differently; act differently; participate differently; and prioritize differently. As such, it’s a huge challenge for a single teacher to be able to adequately and simultaneously engage the minds of thirty boys and girls, each with individual learning styles. Granted that is a teacher's job, they are being paid to do just that, but splitting boys and girls would benefit educators and students alike. It would enable teachers to tailor their teaching strategies to their particular group thus increasing student engagement and facilitating learning.
BUT (and this is a big but) schools are institutions of socialization. They are where students learn about themselves, difference, relationships, and human interaction. They should be microcosms of the communities in which students live. The value of boy-girl interaction cannot be underestimated. Outside of schools, men and women co-exist as employees, neighbours, friends, lovers, and partners. Putting kids in all-male or all-female settings is artificial and its academic benefits may be muted by its social shortfalls.
My answer? Single-sex classes in co-ed schools. This set-up would prioritize what matters: engaged students and healthy relationships.
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