Separating the Sexes, Just for the Tough Years.
The middle school years (grades 7 and 8) are known to be the “tough years”.
These are the years when the uneven pace of girls’ and boys’ physical, emotional, and
cognitive development is most noticeable. Girls are ahead of boys on all counts, and
both suffer. Educators debate whether separating boys and girls during these years
might improve students’ academic performance. Separate classes are now prohibited in
public schools that receive federal funds, but a change in the federal law that prohibits
them is under consideration. Although some parents and educators oppose same-sex
classes, there is some evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school yields
positive results.
Proponents
Opponents of single-sex education claim that test scores of students in all-girl or
all-boy classes are no higher than those of students in mixed classes. However, the
research is inconclusive. Despite the fact that some research shows no improvement in
test scores, other research shows exactly opposite results (Blum, 2002). More
important, many psychologists believe that test scores are the wrong measuring sticks.
They believe that self-confidence and self-esteem issues are more important than test
scores. In same-sex classes, girls report increased confidence and improved attitudes
towards math and science, for example. These are results that cannot be calculated by
a test but that will help adolescents become successful adults long after the difficult
years of middle school are past. New York University professor Carol Gilligan is certain
that girls are more likely to be “creative thinkers and risk-takers as adults if educated
apart from boys in middle school” (Gross, 2004).
Boys, too, gain confidence when they do not have to compete with girls. Boys at
this age become angry and fight back in middle school because they feel inferior when
compared to girls, who literally “out-think” them. With no girls in the classroom, they are
more at ease with themselves and more receptive to learning (Gross, 2004). Opponents
also maintain that separate classes (or separate schools) send the message that males
and females cannot work together. They say that when students go into the work force,
they will have to work side-by-side with the opposite sex, and attending all-girl or all-boy
schools denies them the opportunity to learn how to do so. However, such an argument
completely ignores the fact that children constantly interact with members of the
opposite sex outside school. From playing and squabbling with siblings to negotiating
allowances, chores, and privileges with their opposite-sex parent, children learn and
practice on a daily basis the skills they will need in their future workplaces.
The final argument advanced by opponents of same-sex education is that it is
discriminatory and, therefore, unconstitutional. However, research supports exactly the
opposite conclusion: that discrimination is widespread in mixed classes. Several studies
have shown that boys dominate discussions and receive more attention than girls and
that teachers call on boys more often than they call on girls, even when girls raise their
hands. Clearly, this is discriminatory.
It should be evident that the arguments against same-sex classes are not valid.
On the contrary, many people involved in middle-school education say that same-sex
classes provide a better learning environment. Boys and girls pat less attention to each
other and more attention to their schoolwork (Marquez, 2004). As one teacher noted,
“Girls are more relaxed and ask more questions; boys are less disruptive and more 3
focused” (“North Carolina school stops same-sex classes, 2004”). Girls are less fearful
of making mistakes and asking questions in math and science; boys are less inhabited
about sharing their ideas in language and literature. Furthermore, schoolchildren are not
disadvantaged by lack of contact with the opposite sex because they have many
opportunities outside the school setting to interact with one another. Finally,
discrimination occurs in mixed classes, so discrimination is not a valid argument.
Therefore, in my opinion, the law prohibiting same-sex classes in public schools should
be changed.
Online Education
It seems everything is moving online these days. Even our education is
transferring onto the internet. Many people might squabble about the disadvantages of
this phenomenon, but today, I want to discuss the advantages of getting an education
online. This is a pertinent topic, as the future of education is moving more and more
towards shifting physical educational institutions online. There are reasons for this:
many times you can learn whatever you want, it is more comfortable in a variety of
ways, online courses often look good on resumes, the pacing of learning is managed by
the learner, and the cost of virtual education is often lower than traditional education.
People who are against online education claim that it lacks interactive
communication between the tutor and the learner. This is simply not true because the
present day’s video chat programs like Skype makes mutual communication instant.
The learner can likewise communicate with other learners on the spot.
The freedom to choose your educational path is an enduring quality of online
education. For more creative people, or people who want to focus on a single activity,
this can be a dream come true. According to e-learning Industry, “You can pick the
program of your dreams in traditional education, too, but that would involve traveling
away from home, living in a completely unknown city, and struggling in an extremely
competitive learning environment. With online education, you can take any program or
course present in traditional four-year universities” (Norman, Stephanie). So, the ease
of access to the courses and majors you are striving to study are widely available
online. This increases opportunities to gain the education we desire instead of making
needless compromises.
Like the last point, comfort takes center stage for many students. Countless
students choose online education in order to avoid wasting time travelling and on many
other activities in order to attend physical education institutions. According to the Open
Education Database, “Commercials that feature online students studying in their
pajamas only skims the surface of one of the benefits of online education: no physical
class sessions. Students listen to lectures and complete assignments sent to them
electronically, with no need to fight traffic, leave work early for class, or miss important
family time. Rather than miss important class sessions (due to weather conditions),
students in online courses can always “attend” by participating in discussion boards or
chat sessions, turning in their work on time, and watching lectures or reading materials”
(“10 Advantages of Taking Online Classes”). In other words, by being an online student,
you circumnavigate many of the issues that regular students endure on a daily basis.
In addition, many employers are happy to see online courses on
resumes. Many recruiters see the taking of online courses as a sign of taking initiative.
As stated by Pongo Resume, “Employers respect a degree earned online as much as a
degree earned from attending a brick-and-mortar school. They understand that with the
technological advances we have today, more and more employees are getting their
education and training online. Because hiring managers value continuing education and
professional development, having the relevant courses and programs in the education
section of your resume will demonstrate that you are resourceful and have taken the
initiative to stay ahead of the curve and improve professionally” (“The Advantages of
Online Learning for You and Your Career”). Therefore, not only is online education seen
as equal to regular education by employers, but it is also viewed as being competent in
the latest technologies and trends.
Back to the students, one of the great advantages of online education is that
learners can study at their own pace. According to eLearning Industry, “This type of
system does not require attending live sessions; you can access the materials at any
time that works for you. If you have to work or take care of your home and children
during the day, you can study at night. That’s an advantage the traditional educational
system cannot beat” (Norman, Stephanie). In addition, people who want to take a longer
time to receive a degree can do so without any pressure.
Finally, the cost of getting an online education is cheaper on average than
receiving a traditional education. According to the Open Education Database, “Though
not all online degrees offer less expensive net tuition prices than traditional colleges,
associated expenses almost always cost less. For example, there are no commuting
costs, and sometimes required course materials, such as textbooks, are available online
at no cost. In addition, many colleges and universities accept credits earned via free
massive open online courses (MOOCs), the most recent advance in online education”
(“10 Advantages of Taking Online Classes”). Thus, there are a variety of reasons why
an online education costs less.
Receiving an online education is becoming more and more popular due to a
multitude of advantages it has over traditional instruction. These advantages include, to
name a few: students can learn whatever they want, it is more comfortable, online
courses often look great on resumes, the pacing of learning is managed by the pupil,
and the cost is often lower than traditional education. With these reasons, it is hard to
not see why this form of education is on the rise.