Single-Gender Education is a Viable Option in the Public Sector - Research Paper Example

Overview Gender equity in schools has been another issue as proved in the research conducted by Datnow, Hubbard, & Woody (2001) on gender bias against girls in coeducation schools. The past history on girls’ education has been one of ignoring the useful feedback by the school administration; girls have been found hesitant in taking science and mathematics as subjects at senior level, and face increased fear of sexual harassment. Off late, girls have outshined boys in overall academic performance but certain subjects like computer science and technology majors are still not their favorable choice.

There has been ongoing public discussion on “crisis” for boys too not only because of their low grades on reading and language tests but the danger of their probability towards indulging in crimes, specifically boys of color (Datnow et al., May 2001). In California State, according to Datnow, Hubbard, & Conchas (2001) initiative was taken to draft legislation for funding the single gender school by the former Governor, Pete Wilson. The analysis of this initiative and its success depends on social economic and political contexts; how one context on single gender education impacts outcomes at different state, city, and school levels.

Hall and McGinty (1997, p. 461) have analyzed this interconnected process of implementation of single gender schooling, “as a web of inter-related conditions and consequences, where the consequences of actions in one context may become conditions for the next.” Legal implications of setting single gender schools started in 1972 when the United States Congress passed Title IX to promote equal education for both the sexes leading to decrease in the number of single-gender public schools (Erling and O’Reilly, 2009).. This report approves that single-sex education has to confirm to the law under the given context.

There cannot be a straightforward answer to the question without getting any favorable decision from the Supreme Court on segregation of gender at elementary and secondary level of education. Some researchers have argued that the program can be scrutinized while others are of the view that gender separated public school education is a far cry from legal and constitutional perspective. School leaders need to justify the authenticity of separation of sexes so that judiciary respects their policy in this regard.

Secondly, research in the field of social science can help in getting a favorable judicial review on the genuineness of the case for single-gender schooling or lack of related planning. Until the highest court paves the way for gender-based schooling no progress can be made on this front. Comments of Justice Scalia stated in his opposition to the Court’s verdict in U.S. v. Virginia are worth consideration This essay makes a conclusion that Justice Scalia thinks there is very little scope left for arguing the case in favor of single-gender education.

Any such initiative taken by school authorities can be challenged in the court of law, which could impose heavy penalty in the absence of “exceedingly persuasive justification” for initiating a gender-based divide in school education. Female teachers acknowledged this fact that they were at ease in talking with girl students over such topics as dating, marriage, and pregnancy.