Moving toward class divisions: Schools in the area are testing single-sex classes, a concept boosted by easing of federal guidelines.

Publication: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, TX)

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2006 Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Byline: Diane Smith

Nov. 29--FORT WORTH -- David Munoz saw a disturbing trend at Carter-Riverside High School.

Almost half the freshmen entering the school during the 2000s were not graduating. Out of 317 freshmen in the Class of 2005, for example, only 154 graduated.

Many students in the north Fort Worth school must work to help support their families. Some are parents. School doesn't always come first.

Something had to change, Munoz said.

So Carter-Riverside teachers developed single-sex classes for ninth-graders in the core subjects of English, math, science and world geography. Ninth grade is the target year because, experts say, that's when students either get on track academically or start contemplating dropping out.

"It's the same content but different delivery," said Munoz, who teaches algebra.

Schools across the region are experimenting with single-sex classes, a concept that is gaining momentum now that federal guidelines have been relaxed. Previously, because of concerns about sex discrimination, schools faced losing federal funding if they offered single-sex classes. The new rules took effect last week.

"The gun has been shot," said Leonard Sax, founder of the National Association for Single Sex Public Education in Maryland.

Starting single-sex classes, programs or activities can't happen overnight. Educators said this is a teaching technique that requires research. Parents, teachers and administrators...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.