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A Gendered Choice
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A Gendered Choice
Designing and Implementing Single-Sex Programs and Schools

Edited by:

Foreword by Jim Rex



November 2009 | 200 pages | Corwin

"Chadwell's book is a very useful guide for principals and administrators seeking to launch single-gender programs."
—Leonard Sax, Executive Director
National Association for Single Sex Public Education

"Any administrator following the process outlined in this book will impress teachers, parents and the board with their well thought out approach."
—Kathy Tritz- Rhodes, Principal
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Schools
Marcus and Cleghorn, IA

"A thoughtful text and practical guide for educators who are considering establishing single-gendered classrooms."
—Pedro A. Noguera, Professor, New York University
Executive Director, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education

A comprehensive road map for single-gender initiatives!

Over 400 public schools in the United States offer single-gender classes or programs,and the number of schools contemplating such initiatives is growing at a rapid pace. In this book, David W. Chadwell, the first state coordinator for single-gender programs, offers a step-by-step process with practical planning tools for implementing high-quality single-sex programs and schools.

Organized into three sections—designing, initiating, and sustaining single-gender initiatives in local school sites and districts —this resource includes detailed, essential information on:

  • Restructuring to accommodate single-gender classes
  • Communicating with parents and overcoming resistance
  • Understanding relevant legal issues
  • Facilitating instructional changes
  • Creating a 1- to 3-year plan

Featuring numerous vignettes, current demographic data, and critical insights for professional development, A Gendered Choice provides everything educators need to know about creating single-gender schools or programs.


 
List of Tables
 
Foreword
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Introduction: Defining Single-Gender Education
 
Part I. Considering Single-Gender Education
 
1. Gender Makes a Difference in the Classroom
Starting Point: Examining Gender Influences

 
Student Performance

 
Social Differences

 
Hormonal Differences

 
Brain Differences

 
Gender Is an Issue

 
Chapter One Planning Tool: Reflecting on Gender

 
 
2. What We Know About Single-Gender Programs
Demographic Data

 
Achievement and Other Data

 
Chapter Two Planning Tool: Using Data

 
 
3. Political Opposition to Single-Gender Education
The Legal Context of Single-Gender Education

 
Positions Against Single-Sex Education

 
Parting Words

 
Chapter Three Planning Tool: Debating Single-Gender Education

 
 
4. Frequently Asked Questions: Concerns and Options
Questions About Socialization

 
Questions About Planning

 
Questions About Instruction

 
Chapter 4 Planning Tool: Clearing Roadblocks

 
 
PART II. Designing A Single Gender Program
 
5. Rationale and Structure
Involve Key Stakeholders: Create an Exploratory Group

 
Learn Together About Single-Gender Education

 
Align the Program With the School’s Mission Statement

 
Develop a Rationale: Look at School Data

 
Decide on a Structure

 
Chapter 5 Planning Tool: Developing Rationale and Structure

 
 
6. Legal Issues and Logistics
Meeting the Federal Regulations for Single-Gender Programs

 
Single-Sex Schools

 
Creating a Master Schedule

 
Chapter 6 Planning Tool: Examining Legal Boundaries and Schedule Restraints

 
 
7. Communication
Communication With Principals and School Administrators

 
Communication With Teachers

 
Communication With Parents

 
Communication With Students

 
Communication With School Board Members

 
Order of Concerns in Communicating With Each Group

 
Avoiding Stereotypes

 
Chapter 7 Planning Tool: Preparing for Communication

 
 
8. Building Community
Integration of Single-Gender Programs Into School Culture

 
Identity of the Single-Gender Program

 
Location of Single-Gender Classes

 
Program Creed

 
Public Relations Plan

 
Coordinator for the Single-Gender Program

 
Team Building for Students

 
Chapter 8 Planning Tool: Creating Community

 
 
9. Program Price
Low-Cost Options

 
Moderate-Cost Options

 
High-Cost Options

 
Chapter 9 Planning Tool: Budgeting and the Impact of Gender

 
 
PART III. IMPLEMENTING A SINGLE-GENDER PROGRAM
 
10. Professional Development
Professional Development Opportunities Prior to Implementation

 
Possible Timelines to Prepare Teachers Prior to Implementation

 
Continued Professional Development After Implementation

 
Timeline to Support Teachers After Implementation

 
Chapter 10 Planning Tool: Developing a Professional Development Plan

 
 
11. Program Evaluation
Ensuring Nondiscrimination

 
Reviewing the Rationale: Format

 
Reviewing the Data: Indicators

 
An Ongoing Review Process

 
Chapter 11 Planning Tool: Preparing for Evaluation

 
 
12. Sustaining a Single-Gender Program
Strong Principal Leadership

 
Institutionalize the Single-Gender Program

 
Keep the Program Manageable

 
Agree on Strategies to Use With Boys and Girls

 
Mentor New Teachers

 
Continue Professional Development

 
Instituting Change

 
Chapter 12 Planning Tool: Sustaining Change

 
 
REPRODUCIBLE RESOURCES
Resource A: Sample Creeds From Single-Sex Schools

 
Resource B: Sample Proposal Form for Creating a Single-Gender Program

 
Resource C: Sample Team-Building Activities for Students

 
Resource D: Organizations for the Learning of Boys and Girls

 
Resource E: Sample Annual Single-Gender Program Review Form

 
Resource F: Sample Letter to Parents to Survey Their Interest

 
Resource G: Sample Letter to Parents Informing Them of Single-Gender Program and Surveying Their Interest

 
Resource H: Sample Letter to Parents (School Selecting Students With Coed Option Explained)

 
Resource I: Sample Letter to Parents (All Students in Single-Gender With Coed Option Explained)

 
 
References
 
Index

"Single-gender education has reemerged as a sound approach to dealing with the academic issues of both girls and boys. This book provides comprehensive procedures for developing single-gender programs of all types. Chadwell covers every step of the process and points out where the pitfalls lie and how to avoid them. The planning tools at the end of each chapter involve the reader in the process and can serve as activities for workshops as schools and school systems begin the process of designing single-gender programs. This is a comprehensive handbook based on personal experience with developing single-gender educational programs. Chadwell knows what he is talking about not only from personal experience, but also as the statewide coordinator of single-sex initiatives for South Carolina. This is the book to read if you are considering implementing single-gender programs in your school."

Abigail Norfleet James, Adjunct Professor of Education
University of Virginia, Northern Virginia Center

"David W. Chadwell, an ardent activist for single-gender education, brings his passion and expertise to bear within the pages of this important book. It is imperative reading for all who seek to be informed about the viability of single-gender education. It’s a must read!"

Ron Walker, Executive Director
Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color

"David Chadwell’s book is a very useful guide for principals and administrators launching single-gender programs."

Leonard Sax, Executive Director
National Association for Single Sex Public Education

"A thoughtful text and practical guide for educators who are considering establishing single-gendered classrooms."

Pedro A. Noguera, Professor, New York University
Executive Director, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education

“The author does an excellent job of providing the reader with each of the steps needed to successfully implement this type of program and the foresight to think about many of the questions and concerns that will come up along the way. Administrators following the process outlined in this book will impress teachers, parents, and the board with their well thought-out approach.”

Kathy Tritz- Rhodes, Principal
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Schools, IA

"This is a fascinating area and a subject that needs to be explored and researched. With books like this, a more open dialogue can begin, and educators can consider more options for improving the learning curves amongst boys and girls.”

Tara McGuigan, Science Teacher and GATE Teacher
University City High School, San Diego, CA
Key features
  • Clear, experience-based instructions on how to design and implement single-gender programs show administrators how to go about separating classes for boys and girls in their schools and districts
  • A section on dissenting voices helps administrators overcome resistance from community members
  • A section on the legal aspects of single-gender initiatives helps to ensure that programs are implemented within federal guidelines
  • A chapter on the transitional process at the classroom level helps administrators plan for the changes in instruction recommended for single-gender classes, and guides administrators and teaching staff to the most recent literature on effective teaching for boys and girls

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