THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502110078
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Schools in Virginia would be able to educate boys and girls in separate classrooms under legislation introduced in the House of Delegates by a Virginia Beach delegate.
The measure, sponsored by Republican Del. Frank W. Wagner, cruised through the House this week on a 100-0 vote. The bill, HB2419, is now in a Senate education subcommittee. It has not drawn any apparent legislative opposition.
``I'm favorably inclined to the idea,'' said Sen. Elliot S. Schewel, D-Lynchburg, chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee, where Wagner's bill is expected to be debated next week. ``I think it has a lot of merit.''
Wagner said the legislation would ``unshackle localities'' and provide local school boards with another option. Research shows that some students learn better in a single-sex environment, he said.
``I felt there were very positive benefits in this type of educational approach, and I think it's time for Virginia to start looking at it,'' Wagner said.
Gov. George F. Allen did not request that Wagner submit the bill, but his administration supports it, a spokeswoman said.
The governor's strike force on government reform recommended a study of the ``potential advantages'' of single-sex schooling, and members of his Commission on Champion Schools advocated the concept.
While state education officials said school boards now are free to establish single-sex classes, Wagner said legislation is needed to give them the option.
``Without the bill, they couldn't do it,'' Wagner said.
A spokesman said the Virginia School Boards Association supports Wagner's measure, saying ``it seems pretty innocuous.''
A provision in Wagner's bill would require schools offering single-sex classes to annually evaluate the academic progress of students.
``That would provide, perhaps, a research base that's not there, and I think that's what we're in the business to do - to increase learning,'' said David C. Blount, governmental relations officer for the association.
But some worry that single-sex classes would eliminate needed interaction between the sexes, cost more money and lead to unequal educational opportunities.
``As far as I'm concerned, I think students learn much better when they have the interaction between males and females,'' said Sandra Brandt, Virginia chairwoman of the Women's Political Caucus. ``When they go out into the work force, that's what everyday living is all about.''
Brandt said she is surprised the bill has not drawn more comment.
``Maybe it's one of those things that people should take a closer look at,'' she said.
Proponents said the legal standing of single-sex schooling was strengthened by a federal appeals court ruling last month that upheld state-supported Virginia Military Institute's male-only admission policy. In a 2-1 ruling, the court approved an Allen-supported plan to set up an all-women's military academy at Mary Baldwin College.
But Blount said the legal victory might not apply to public schools because attendance, unlike in higher education, is compulsory. A federal judge struck down a 1991 attempt by Detroit to establish three schools exclusively for black males.
Proponents draw a distinction between a totally sex-segregated school and a co-ed school that simply offers single-sex classes. To date, no one has challenged any public school that has same-sex classes. U.S. Department of Education officials, however, have called the concept legally suspect.
Some inner-city public schools now provide separate classes for black males. Other schools offer classes for girls in math and science, subjects traditionally dominated by boys.
Bowling Park Elementary School in Norfolk has experimented with voluntary single-sex classes for the past seven years. School officials say it has reduced discipline problems, improved attendance and raised test scores.
Separating boys and girls may provide girls with ``an opportunity to be so much more involved in the learning process,'' Schewel said. ``I think it would eliminate some of the disciplinary problems. Guys, especially, show off for the girls.''
KEYWORDS: SINGLE SEX CLASS GENERAL ASSEMBLY SCHOOLS by CNB