sigma -- are you slow, or ignorant? honestly, the definition of scientific, research-based, is quite strenuous. That is the qualifier for all strategies that are acceptable in education today. No more gut feelings. . . just proof from studies that are large enough and substantiated with repetition. . . Sorry, but your opinions on the matter are quite laughable.

kidsfirst - Scientific proof? It was also proven back in the 1800's that shock therapy cured certain ailments. So all of this because someone had a hard time in school?
I never had any issues. No one I know had issues related to girls being in classes with guys. Now the classes you say are still mixed like gym... hmmm. that could be a distraction. Girls in tight skimpy clothes... I remember. Stupid program.... enough said.

Sigma40, your posts are comical! Thanks for the laugh. *shakes head*

Sigma -- let me repeat this for you -- there are scientific, research-based studies showing value for this in school. You are really slamming yourself by barking opinions that are not relevant.

Sigma- you are missing the point and know little about the program. The children only had their core classes (math, science, english, etc) in single gender, and the encore classes (choir, art, gym, Spanish, etc) in mixed classes. THis is at junior high level- when hormones are going crazy and the want to show-off for the opposite sex is natural. By seperating the kids into these rooms during the core classes, the stereotypes (boys being better at math, girls more adapt at literature) were eliminated. While only competing against their own sex, the kids were able to understand that some girls and some boys are great at each of the aforementioned subjects.
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There are not single gender classes at Craig or Parker, therefore, this is a temporary solution to help kids maintain self-esteem during puberty.

Ya, they concentrate better??? Really?? What happens when they go out in the real world? College or a job maybe?? They are not ready for it because they lived in a sheltered unisex classroom hidden from reality. All this is doing is helping the dumb stay dumb. When your son goes into the work feild and has to face women what is he going do?
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What next? Separate by race? If it works for sexes then it will work for races. Then height probably because short people cant learn with big people present, same with fat and thin... This whole subject is as stupid as you can get...lol.

My son wanted to try this as well but could not get in. The attraction for him was the potential for less "drama" and more focus on school.

sigma -- there is research based evidence for trying this option. You are showing your ignorance on the topic with your comments.

Personally, I think scrapping the initiative will only benefit the administration. The problems of parents wanting to opt in or out of a different set-up will end.

I agree with Peter Severson on this one. It provides an opportunity for students to focus more on the content in the curriculum than who is in the classroom. The option does not cost the district additional funds, as the same number of students need to be instructed.

I wish I had the opportunity to go to single sex classes when I was in school. You two dads whose children had experienced this are correct, IMO.

I only hope Sigma40 NEVER gets in front of a class.

My son has been in single gender for two years and I will miss this option. It was far easier for him to concentrate on school rather than girls.

My daughter was in these classes all 3 years of middle school. I think the greatest improvement that I saw with the kids was that the girls were far more outspoken than they were in 'regular' classes. During their classes with everyone else, many of the girls were out-spoken by the boys. But, in classes that were only girls, the girls all had a voice- there was no need to worry about looking 'dumb' in front of a boy.... The girls came out of this with stronger self-confidence and will use that through life. I think it was a worthwhile program, however, I understand that right now things have to be cut. Plus, there was the issue that some of the girls were 'recommended' by teachers for the program and they were boy-crazy, which distracted from the girls that were trying to achieve..

Who ever thought of this in the first place should be removed from the education system. The stupidity of this experiment is so stupid it doesnt even need an explanation. What next? Try classes with no lights? Under water maybe?