Feisty Aphrodite Archives
Bush Administration signs legislation allowing sex-segregation in schools
On October 25th, the Bush Administration released the new guidelines to Title IX that has outlined regulations concerning segregating federally-funded schools based on sex. The improvised regulations will now allow districts to separate their students, whether by class, grade, or school, into same-sex programs on the assertion that students learn better in this environment. The ACLU and National Organization for Women have publicly opposed this change on the basis that "separate is not equal" and that it promotes of sex discrimination. Under the new guidelines, schools can offer a program for one sex without having to offer it for the other, so long as a "substantially equal" coed program is available. The Department of Education based their judgment on many different studies, which even amongst their own, provided mixed results.
Single-sex public schools have jumped significantly to 240 nationwide this year, from just three in 1995. The current laws under Title IX were passed in 1973 and have been used since 1975, only limiting same-sex education to special occasions that include sex education and physical education involving contact sports.
The programs are to be offered only for optional enrollment, as Education Secretary Margaret Spellings states, "Research shows that some students may learn better in single-sex education environments...The Department of Education is committed to giving communities more choices in how they go about offering varied learning environments." However Jocelyn Samuels, vice president for education and employment at the National Women's Law Center, argues, "That is not a substitute for true equality, it's a very dangerous sign to schools, that they can relax their vigilance in ensuring equal educational opportunities." The new regulations are set to take affect on November 24th and higher education will not be included.
For more information, please visit the National Organization for Women and the American Civil Liberties Union.
