Milwaukee doesn't seem to be having the same success other schools are having with same gender classes. Are they forgetting something or first year experimentation?

Merton, WI

Arrowhead High School tried a pilot program this year -- separating boys and girls for some classes. What some teachers noticed in boys:

• boys enter the classroom with more sound effects
• need to be asked more questions affirming learning
• joke around more
• need to be reminded to take notes
• want opportunities to taste, touch and smell projects
• grades not as good as girls

What teachers noticed in girls:

• enter room quietly
• get straight to work
• prefer more discussion time
• more focused
• go above and beyond what is asked

[Amy Hetzner, jsonline.com, 4-9-07]

Arrowhead is teaching coed classes and single sex classes. Right now, they are not seeing significant differences in results. Wisconsin has only four schools in the state offering single-sex classes.

• Tomah Middle School
• John Long Middle School, Grafton
• Kennedy Middle School, Germantown
• Arrowhead High School, Merton

The Approach

Perhaps, the reason Arrowhead is not seeing improvements in learning is because they have chosen not to teach girls differently than boys. To treat them the same, defeats the purpose in separating them for learning. This year is a pilot program to observe differences in Milwaukee. But, research has already been done on the differences. Boys and girls need to be taught differently.

Economist Thomas S. Dee

Swarthmore College has a professor that has been keeping statistics on female vs. male teachers and the effects on students since 1988. He has published his findings. Boys learn better with male teachers and girls learn better with female teachers.

Boys Lag Behind Girls

Professors Stephen Carnarata and Richard Woodcock from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, conducted a study and found that girls have a faster processing speed. Girls also seem to be more accurate. Ian Lillico, a consultant for the Federal Government's $19.4 million Success for Boys initiative, states that boys have trouble determining how long something will take to complete. They also struggle with sitting in a desk all day.

All Male Charter School

Philadelphia is opening an all-male school in the fall. A girls school will open in 2008. The evidence is mounting that boys learn differently than girls. Therefore, boys should be taught differently than girls.

Oprah's Leadership Academy

Oprah Winfrey has founded an all-girls school in South Africa. While it may be a little over the top with 52 manicured acres with state-of-the-art classrooms, 600-seat theater, a beauty salon, yoga studio and more, the foundation is an all-girls school. Girls will be taught to be successful as women.

Milwaukee and Vouchers

Milwaukee is also known for having the oldest and largest voucher system in the country. It is estimated that 60% of Milwaukee students choose which school they attend without restrictions. Families may select a public, private or parochial school as their school of choice. Is it popular? Yes, it is expected to grow even more for next year. The state of Utah is offering vouchers, as well. It is becoming obvious that schools are looking for a change in our present system of education.

Boys and girls do not learn the same way. Research shows that we must teach them differently for the optimal effects.

Related articles: School Choice, Florida Career Academies

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.

Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.