Single-gender education is on the rise. In the mid-1990s, there were only two single-gender public schools in the nation. Today, more than 500 public schools in 40 states have only boy students, only girl students or some classes that are single-gender.
The authors of a new report in Science magazine reviewed existing research about single-gender schools. Their report argues against this type of education. They say it reduces boys’ and girls’ opportunities to work together, and reinforces gender stereotypes. A stereotype is an inaccurate oversimplified image of a group.
“Boys who spend more time with other boys become increasingly aggressive,” the article says. “Similarly, girls who spend more time with other girls become more gender-typed.” The authors also argue that there is no scientific evidence that single-gender schooling leads to better academic outcomes.