WLTX-TV Columbia, SC (12/1, Harvin) reports that "a survey released by South Carolina's Department of Education shows single-gender classes have amazing results in boys and girls confidence, motivation and participation." Also, the majority of the nearly 7,000 students who participated in the survey "said the classes have improved their academic performance and classroom attitude," with 79 percent reporting "increases in their classroom effort, and 83 percent" saying "they were more likely to finish high school." Of the 1,120 parents surveyed, 94 percent "said their children were more likely to graduate from high school, and 85 percent of" 760 teachers surveyed said they "saw increases in effort with school work" in single-gender classrooms.
WACH-TV Columbia, SC (12/1, Stone) notes that despite the positive reviews, the number of schools offering single-gender classes in South Carolina has declined over the past two years as a result of budget cuts. "Two years ago 214 schools offered the classes, but that is down to 125 this year."
The AP (11/30, Adcox) adds, however, that South Carolina "still leads the nation in public single-sex programs." On Tuesday, outgoing state Superintendent Jim Rex "cautioned lawmakers not to disrupt what's working." He pointed out that "single-gender is a relatively inexpensive choice to offer, compared to others, but it does require an adequate number of teachers, and some training costs."
The Anderson (SC) Independent Mail (12/1, Carey) quotes Rex as saying, "We've said all along that when it comes to learning, one size does not fit all. ... These results show that the single-gender option works for a lot of students and their families." Reuters (12/1) and WCBD-TV Charleston, SC (12/1, Mitchell) also cover the story.
No comments:
Post a Comment