Dr. Richard Fossey, a professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Administration at the University of North Texas and an expert in education law, says the new rules "reflect a growing belief that single-sex education is beneficial for some students, particularly disadvantaged students." He says: "Dropout rates in the inner-city school systems are very high. For Hispanic and African-American boys in these systems, the rate is often around 50 percent. Single-sex classes may help address this problem.
"The Department of Education has recognized the place of single-sex educational settings at the college level," he says. "All-male and all-female colleges do not violate federal law. These new rules are an indication that the Department of Education recognizes the value of single-sex education in K-12 settings, and it is a welcome development. Catholic schools have provided single-sex education for centuries, and research shows that Catholic schools are very effective in educating disadvantaged youth."
Fossey holds a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and a doctorate of education from Harvard University.
Dr. Mary Harris, interim chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Administration at UNT, can speak both firsthand and as an educator about the benefits of single-sex classrooms. Harris attended Goucher College, near Baltimore, when it was a single-sex college.
"Single-sex education can be very beneficial for students who want or need an opportunity to focus on academic learning without the distractions of social expectations that can be a powerful influence on adolescents," Harris says. "Research has shown that teachers tend to call more frequently on boys and on students who are active in the classroom. This can disadvantage the learning of girls and students who may be shy or contemplative. Single-sex education offers girls the opportunity to learn in a classroom designed to support their learning styles and interests and to build their self-confidence as learners."