Post for role-playing exercise-Same sex classrooms

School Board member: Neutral--Charlie Levinston

I am interested in this discussion I have heard from teachers, parents and experts on this topic. As a school board member it is partly in my hands to help figure out what is best for Hoover High School and for our community. Just because something worked in another school does not mean it is right for us.

I did pick up the phone and talk to a few people over at Edina High School who are having success with experimenting with single sex classrooms. A few years ago Superintendent Ken Dragseth noticed that girls were dominating the district's academic awards ceremonies, and set up a task force to investigate. Here are a few facts from a Star Tribune article a friend at the high schools sent me:

- In grades 6-12, girls made up 67 percent of students who achieved top class rank and 65 percent of A Honor Roll students.

- Boys were 90 percent of students suspended or involved in disciplinary incidents, and 76 percent of special education students.

- Eighty-six percent of ninth-grade girls reported liking school, but only 48 percent of ninth-grade boys.

Those are some pretty convincing numbers but I want to make sure we do what is right for our students and community.

If you want to read the article for yourself here is the citation:
Katherine Kersten, Staff Writer. (2006, January 30). Books and buddies: Edina tackles the gender gap in school. Star Tribune, p. 1B. Retrieved October 18, 2008, from ProQuest Newsstand database.