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Single-sex education (SSE),Single-sex education (SSE), also known as also known as Single-gender education, is the practice of Single-gender education, is the practice of conducting education where male and female conducting education where male and female students attend separate students attend separate classesclasses or in separate or in separate buildings or schools. The practice was buildings or schools. The practice was predominant before the mid-twentieth century, predominant before the mid-twentieth century, particularly in secondary education and higher particularly in secondary education and higher education. Single-sex education in many education. Single-sex education in many cultures is advocated on the basis of tradition, cultures is advocated on the basis of tradition, as well as religion and is practiced in many parts as well as religion and is practiced in many parts of the world.of the world.

The question as to whether to educate your The question as to whether to educate your children in a single sex or mixed school can be a children in a single sex or mixed school can be a sticking point for some families. sticking point for some families. Sometimes Sometimes parents are keen for their children to have a parents are keen for their children to have a single-sex education, but (especially older) single-sex education, but (especially older) children are equally as keen to use their school children are equally as keen to use their school day time to meet friends of the opposite sex.day time to meet friends of the opposite sex.

Evidence suggests that girls perform better in Evidence suggests that girls perform better in subjects such as science and maths when taught subjects such as science and maths when taught alone, whilst boys perform better in languages and alone, whilst boys perform better in languages and English when taught alone. Approaches to learning English when taught alone. Approaches to learning and to particular subjects need to be considered, as and to particular subjects need to be considered, as well as the different stages in adolescence well as the different stages in adolescence experienced by girls and boys. Girls often gain more experienced by girls and boys. Girls often gain more confidence from taking on the full range of confidence from taking on the full range of responsibility and by selecting subjects on the basis responsibility and by selecting subjects on the basis of their real interests.of their real interests.

The biggest disadvantage appears to be socialization

or lack of it. Socialization can be a major distraction for many teenagers.

The Benefits of Attending a Girls' School

1.Create opportunities for appropriate, educational risk-taking2.Counter mass-media influences, giving girls room to decide for themselves who they are3.Reinforce a 'can do' philosophy4.Ensure that learning takes center stage, with social life reserved for time outside the classroom5.Teach collaborative as well as competitive skills6.Guarantee that math, science, and technology are integral parts of the curriculum  7.Promote athletic participation to encourage both leadership and team play8.Maximize girls' verbal/writing skills in learning9.Offer strong female role models10.Emphasize 'real life' skills such as financial literacy, leadership, and service to community

•Almost 100% of girls' school graduates go on to college. • Three and four years of math and science are the norm rather than the exception. • 98% of seniors expect to have full-time careers and four out of five say they will attend graduate school. • Four times as many graduates of girls' schools intend to pursue careers in math, science, and technology. • Almost 80% of recent alumnae surveyed cite their single-sex education as pivotal in preparing them for productive personal and professional lives.

They understand what works well for girls in and out of the classrooms, and on the playing fields. They have a history of discovering and encouraging the unique talents of each of their students. They make learning and achieving in math and science the standard expectation. They believe girls can do anything they put their minds to with persistence, hard work, and some risk-taking. They encourage girls to have big dreams and then equip them with the skills they need to realize those dreams.

BBoys are taught and mentored by teachers, many of whom are male, oys are taught and mentored by teachers, many of whom are male, who are chosen because they enjoy working with boys.who are chosen because they enjoy working with boys.

Teachers select books and other learning materials that appeal to Teachers select books and other learning materials that appeal to boys.boys.

Teachers provide physical activity every single day.Teachers provide physical activity every single day.The boys are given the opportunity to approach learning from a hands-The boys are given the opportunity to approach learning from a hands-

on perspective, learning as much outside of the classroom as on perspective, learning as much outside of the classroom as inside.inside.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in all aspects of the athletic and Everyone is encouraged to participate in all aspects of the athletic and artistic programmes.artistic programmes.

The boys are given the room to gain confidence in themselves without The boys are given the room to gain confidence in themselves without being compared to female peers.being compared to female peers.

The boys can be themselves for as long as they need to be without the The boys can be themselves for as long as they need to be without the pressure to become involved with girls before they feel ready.pressure to become involved with girls before they feel ready.

Teachers create a safe atmosphere in which sensitive gender and sex-Teachers create a safe atmosphere in which sensitive gender and sex-related issues can be openly discussed.related issues can be openly discussed.

We used sourcesWe used sources

Paton, Graeme; Moore, Matthew (2009-03-18). Paton, Graeme; Moore, Matthew (2009-03-18). "Girls 'do better in single-sex schools'". "Girls 'do better in single-sex schools'". The The Daily TelegraphDaily Telegraph (London). (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5008712/Girls-do-better-in-single-sex-ews/5008712/Girls-do-better-in-single-sex-schools.html. Retrieved 2010-05-23. schools.html. Retrieved 2010-05-23.

http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/text.asp?http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/text.asp?section=00010001000500160009 section=00010001000500160009

Sullivan, A., Joshi, H. and Leonard, D. (2010) Sullivan, A., Joshi, H. and Leonard, D. (2010) ‘Single-sex Schooling and Academic Attainment ‘Single-sex Schooling and Academic Attainment at School and through the Lifecourse’. American at School and through the Lifecourse’. American Educational Research Journal 47(1) 6-36 Educational Research Journal 47(1) 6-36