Single gender academy: Is it right for Durham County?

In attendance of Durham County School Board committee meeting (June 18) and one issue on the agenda was “single gender academy”.  Approximately ten people spoke during the public comment time allotted with pluses and minuses for planning to start piloting the single gender academy at two sites (boys/girls) within existing schools through data collection toward expansion.  Collected data showed students were not passing grades, high rates of expulsion, low graduation rates and more.  Then the conversation centered back to the Board members for discussion on the direction to move this project forward or table it for more information. The mission statement for Durham Public School is “In collaboration with our community and parents, the mission of Durham Public Schools is to provide all students with an outstanding education that motivates them to reach their full potential and enables them to discover their interests and talents, pursue their goals and dreams, and succeed in college, in the workforce and as engaged citizens”.

As one view what is happening in the United States single gender schools are on the rise as an alternative to better education students in preparation for college or workforce.  The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB, 2001) condones single gender education and the rules enforcing Title IX (1972) law that banned sex discrimination in federally funded programs, including public school and college sports programs.  Therefore, with the proposed academy must meet the guidelines of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and state to meet all mandates to education children. To be clear the direction Durham County selects may have the threat of a lawsuit as plans are implemented to pilot the single gender academy if pass from Board members.  However, potential lawsuits have not deterred other school districts that are highlighted in the National Association for Single Sex Public Education (NASSPE).

NCLB (2001) states all children should be at grade level in the subject areas of reading and math that allowed federal money to be used for innovative programs such as all-boys and all-girls schools and classes.  Amendments to Title IX regulations are underway that will give school districts guidelines to set up single gender academies without fear of being sued.  The Department of Education (2004) proposed guidelines that allowed gender separated classes (voluntary).  The proposal was clear that districts must offer the school design for both genders.

Current proposed set up for the pilot is one classroom (per gender) with 1 to 17 ratio (teacher – student).  Offered to children in grades six, seven or ninth.  Selection criteria are still being discussed but the program is parent choice like other schools in the district.  One public comment speaker shared attending all girl school and it not only enhanced her academic studies but her leadership skills that are represented today.

Whatever your personal opinions may be toward single gender academies, the number one focal point should be how best to education our children toward being productive citizens of society.  The charge has been given to the School Board members to ensure quality education to given to ALL children in multiple ways due to we do not all learn in the same manner.