by Anthony Austin
NACOGDOCHES (KYTX) - Boys in this class - girls in that class. Nacogdoches will try it in middle school next year. It's hoped the kids will pay more attention in class. This program will only be available to incoming sixth graders.
The middle school years can be challenging for students and parents. Educational studies show that when you separate boys and girls in the classrooms, test scores go up, and discipline problems go down.
Girls will be girls, and boys will be boys. But, when you put them in a classroom together, "A lot of times they are focused on each other."
Studies show that middle school girls tend to become shy around the opposite sex.
"They may not want to appear too smart, because there is a urban myth out there that boys don't like smart girls."
While boys are focused on trying to impress their female counterparts. "Working on relationships...figuring out kind of who they are."
Nacogdoches ISD assistant superintendent, Dr. Karen Halverson, is working to introduce same-sex classrooms on the middle school campuses.
"Boys thrive on a competitive, educational environment where they can compete against each other. In general, girls are more collaborative, they work together in a more cooperative manner."
Educational studies show that discipline problems decrease when the sexes are separated in the classroom, while academic achievement increases. Plus, teachers can spend extra time on topics that boys or girls may struggle with.
"They raise their hands more, they ask more questions."
But critics of the classroom separation argue that social skills between the genders get put on hold, and, academic improvement may not actually occur. "It may not be too good for the girls, because it takes away the competitive edge the girls get when they're with the guys."
Nacogdoches ISD will voluntarily separate students in the core subjects of mathematics, English, science, and social studies.
Halverson says the students will have a chance to mingle in their elective classes.
"I have a lot of faith that our kids are going to find each other, no matter if they're in single gender classes or not."
Once again, the program is only available for incoming sixth graders. Parents have the option to enroll their students for the pilot program. If the program is successful next school year, the same-sex classrooms may be expanded to other grades. If your children attend in Nacogdoches and you would like to enroll your student in the pilot program, informational meetings will be held on the Nacogdoches middle school campuses Thursday, during open house, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
