Where do we go from here?

Though both articles take a particular opinion on single-sex classes, both comment on how single-sex education is becoming an option for parents, students, and teachers. The best thing we can take away from the two points of view is that girls and boys may have different learning styles, some girls may interact better with boys, some boys with girls, either way, the best possible academic environment should be available for everyone. The articles also brought to light a need for research on public single-sex education. Studies on single-sex education have been mostly in private schools, and not very many have considered socio-economic factors in their research. In order for single-sex classes and schools to best serve their populations, it would be best to have knowledge and research. The final point to learn from both articles is that neither commented fully on the psychological side effects of kids growing up in single-sex environments. I think it is important for us to consider boys or girls who do not fit gender stereotypes and think about what may happen for them. Developmentally, how important is it for girls and boys to interact? What kind of learning exists there, only negative? only positive? Probably both. So which is more important, reducing the distractions of flirting or learning how to interact with a different gender in an education setting? The answer to this question can only lie in research and a case by case consideration of individual students.