It is my honor to join my fellow black male educators on Black.Man.Teach.  Check out the site: Black.Man.Teach 

Anthony Hubbard

“I teach because I believe it is the older generation’s responsibility to give the younger generation the necessary tools to have options in life. I am a firm believer in the power of learning, which I define as the process of growing one’s knowledge and new skills through life experiences. Thus, I teach my students a wide range of things to educate the whole person. Learning must and should happen both in the classroom and in the community. I am preparing my students to be global citizens who understand their own strengths and weaknesses, know how to build their employability skills, and empower them to take responsibility for the trajectory of their lives.

Being a man of color, it is also my responsibility to instill in the young brothers the importance of education. I try to teach them that education is not only the key to unlocking great potential, but they must themselves educate, elevate and raise the conscience of themselves and others along the way.
Teaching is a relationship and not just transference of information through a single pipeline, but true collaboration. I may hold the title of “teacher” but I, too, am a student.”

Why is Single-Sex Education Important?

Boys and girls are different – there is no denying that. They have different needs and react differently in different situations. Considering this, putting them together in coeducation classes does not seem to be a really bright idea. It doesn't allow educators to care for all their needs equally. This may result in either gender feeling neglected. In order to prevent this, single-sex education systems have to be implemented. Here's how they can help:

• Overcomes stereotypes: Talent comes in many forms. Some students are good in academics, some can paint well and some are great actors. Some excel in soccer and others in athletics. And there may be those who write very well – either stories or poems. One of the biggest problems for students in coeducational classrooms is the reinforcement of stereotypes - “Poetry is not for boys” or “Soccer is not for girls”.

These stereotypes in combination with peer pressure may result in smothering of budding talent in both boys and girls. Or, this may result in students not overtly showcasing their talents which can lead teachers to feel that those students have no talents at all. Either way, students are unable to get the attention that they deserve. On the other hand, in the single-sex education system, where a class full of boys learns to love poetry or a class full of girls plays football, the stereotypes won't even raise their heads. Single-sex systems allow students to explore all their interests without having to worry about what the other gender thinks of their choices.

•   Makes handling puberty easier: Another advantage of single-sex classrooms is that there will be no unnecessary showing-off for the opposite sex. This is particularly beneficial when the students start hitting puberty. They can concentrate more on their studies than on the hot girl in the first row or the cute boy standing in the corridor. 

• Caters to each sex individually: Boys are generally more boisterous and have higher energy levels than girls. They need to be engaged all the time. Not giving them enough attention can cause them to misbehave. On the other hand, a teacher cannot dedicate all of his/her attention to boys only. This will result in neglecting the girls. And, girls are less likely to speak out in coeducational classes. Single-sex educational systems are the best solutions.

• Better academic performance: In 2007, neuroscientists from NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) released the report of a study which clearly shows that there are physiological differences in the brains of boys and girls. They develop differently in different ages and it is important to use appropriate training methods. Approaching teaching in the same way is a mistake. Single-sex systems will allow for utilizing the correct approach that can help improve the academic performance of students.

In addition to these, single-sex systems will also provide a proper environment for students to handle their social and emotional development needs. Students can ask any question in class without hesitation or fear of embarrassment. Boys are also more likely to socialize and collaborate in a single-sex environment than in a co-ed one. And, they can show emotions openly. 

Of course, for some students, the setting may not matter at all; but, not for all. Single-sex systems have a clear advantage over co-ed ones and implementing them can provide students an environment where they will flourish.

How Single-Gender Education Can Help African-American Boys

The rate of dropouts of African-American boys from schools is much higher than that of whites and has always been so. The former are also less likely to graduate than the latter. Clearly, there is a problem that needs to be solved. Single-sex schools have been around for a while. All-girls schools are built on the premise that they help provide equal access and opportunities for girls. But, why should boys also need such systems? Here, you will learn the advantages that such schools give boys, particularly African-Americans.

•  Tailored curriculum:  Many educators are of the opinion that the social and educational problems faced by African-American boys can be at least addressed, if not completely solved, through single-sex schools. In such schools, the curriculum can be uniquely tailored to handle the needs of its students. There can be classes on leadership, for example. These schools can also provide opportunities to the boys, who may have otherwise been overlooked in other schools.

•   Provide positive examples: Often, these boys lack a positive male role model or a male role model at all. Single-sex schools can cater to these boys by giving them examples of positive and negative role models. The schools can also instill the importance of education beyond their schooling. This is important because, for many of these boys, their idea of personal identity does not include education. In addition, schools can provide additional rigorous training that will help students to successfully tackle standardized tests and get enrolled in colleges.

• Break stereotypes: The idea of “masculinity” may prevent the boys, in regular schools, from undertaking activities that can be perceived as feminine. In single-sex schools, the teachers can help them to overcome stereotypes more easily given that they boys will not have to confront girls all the time.

• Increase college enrollment rates: This study, conducted by scholars of the University of Pennsylvania, has found that a larger proportion of students from single-sex schools attend four-year colleges compared to students of coeducational schools. This is true for both private and public schools and irrespective of student-teacher ratios, teacher quality, and other factors.

• Instill confidence: By letting the boys know that they are expected to perform, teachers can instill self-confidence in them. The students will know that they are capable of achieving target and that there are those who believe in them.

While all of these can also be achieved through co-ed schools, it will put an additional burden on them. Not all schools will be able to bear that burden and catering specifically to African-American boys may create problems for the schools.

However, single-sex schools for African-American boys can tailor their curriculum and practices to cater to specific needs and requirements. Such schools will provide a stable and safe environment for the students to experiment and learn more about what it means to be a part of the society.

Students can also better understand what it means to be a man and that it involves more than just sexual prowess. They will understand the importance of education and learn what it takes to be a leader. Stereotypes associated with African-American males can also be overcome. Overall, single-sex schools for African-American boys will help them to lead better lives.