I'm not sure what to think about this:
J.L. Mann to offer single-gender education program
Incoming freshman can sign up for the program for next fall
Friday, February 15, 2008
GREENVILLE NEWS STAFF
J.L. Mann High School is starting a single-gender classroom program for incoming freshmen this fall, according to a news release from the Greenville County School District.I don't subscribe to the okey-doke that single-sex education is better. Where did this bromide come from?
Single-gender classes will be offered to freshmen as an option for their four core academic classes: math, science, English and social studies.
Teachers already have been training on gender specific teaching techniques.
"It is so much more than just separating the young men and women," Principal Susan Hughes said. "We want to teach to the strengths of each group and the single gender classroom allows teachers to tailor their lesson plans to their audience."
Teachers have volunteered to participate in this new option, according to the release.
"I have seen how traditional classroom management can hinder a student and I am excited for the opportunity to help my students explore their academic prowess in an environment that can maximize and encourage their unique strengths," said Anthony Mooney, a freshmen social studies teacher.
Changes in the Title IX laws in 2006 allowed for public schools to offer single gender classes as long as a co-ed class was also available.
The program will be officially announced Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. during Registration Information Night in the school’s auditorium. Rising ninth graders and their parents who may be interested in this program are invited to attend.
The teachers will demonstrate how the same lesson plan would be taught in different ways to a boy’s class and a girl’s class. Parents can ask questions and meet the single gender teaching team.
The link to the National Association for Single Sex Public Education is provided in the Greenville News story. Does anyone know if this group has a political agenda? On the NASSPE website, the Mars/Venus stuff about how girls and boys learn differently seems hyped to a dogmatic level.
What's the best for the children? We must think of the children! ((wrings hands))
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Listening to: The Count Five - Psychotic Reaction
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