Single-SexEducation-FeministMajorityFoundation.pdfVIP

Single-Sex Education F E RT I L E G RO U N D F O R D I S C R I M I NAT I O N OTH THE U.S. CONSTI- styles between boys and girls, the regulatory TUTION AND Title IX change has fueled a new trend toward greater limit the separation of separation of sexes in public education. Single- students by sex in pub- sex education in a public school setting is licly funded educational fraught with pitfalls, however. Research has B programs and activities. shown more similarities than diferences in the Although Title IX regulations issued by the sexes on a wide range of student indicators, U.S. Department of Education in 2006 opened and programs that cater to gender stereotypes the door to single-sex education, discrimina- can create environments that limit learning tion based on sex is still unlawful. for both girls and boys. here is also a risk that single-sex programs may discriminate, either in Combined with questionable assertions about resource allocation or in the range of educa- diferences in brain development and learning tional opportunities ofered. Legal History and Safeguards One of the primary purposes of Title IX was to and capabilities. A widespread example was put an end to educational practices that sepa- steering girls into home economics classes and rated boys and girls on the basis of assump- boys into wood shop. Because of this history of tions and stereotypes about their interests educational inequity, as well as the continued Title IX at 40 | 47 K E Y F I N D I N G S