What's better for kids: single-sex or co-ed schools? | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

The debate over single-sex versus co-ed education in Australia is heating up, with single-sex schools facing a potential decline. Neuroscience research by Professor Lisa Elliot suggests that social interaction is crucial for brain development, hinting at potential drawbacks to separating students by gender. Schools like Barker College and Loretto College for Girls have different takes, with the former embracing co-ed learning for diversity and the latter advocating for single-sex environments to boost confidence and participation in STEM. The 'diamond model' school in southeast England offers a blend, combining co-ed and single-sex teaching, showing improved performance and a more vibrant school culture.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The debate over whether children perform better in single-sex or co-ed classes is highly polarizing in Australia.
• 📉 Single-sex schools are declining in Australia, with only 7% of secondary school students attending and a potential disappearance by 2035.
• 🧠 Professor Lisa Elliot's neuroscience research suggests that social interaction is crucial for brain development, implying the importance of a diverse learning environment.
• 🏫 Sydney's Barca College transitioned from a single-sex to a co-ed school to align with modern societal values and promote diversity.
• 🌐 Co-ed supporters argue that since life is co-ed, schools should also be to best prepare students for the real world.
• 🏷️ Single-sex schools claim to foster personal development, academic outcomes, and remove gender-based judgment regarding subjects.
• 👧 Research indicates girls attending single-sex schools are more likely to engage in STEM subjects, challenging gender stereotypes.
• 🌟 Co-ed schools argue that they better prepare students for the real world, despite current gender inequities.
• 🔄 Some schools, like New Hall, have adopted the 'diamond model', combining co-ed and single-sex teaching, to provide the best of both educational approaches.
• 📈 The diamond model has shown positive results, with improved academic achievements for both genders, especially boys.
• 👍 Both co-ed and single-sex school principals agree that the most important aspect of education is providing choice to parents and students.

Q & A

What is the main debate in the Australian education system regarding children's schooling?

The main debate is whether children do better in same-sex or co-ed classes, with single-sex schools being on the decline and the co-education lobby pushing for their elimination within 20 years.

What is the focus of the neuroscience research conducted by Professor Lisa Elliot at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science?

Professor Lisa Elliot's research focuses on the social brain and how social interaction plays a significant role in the development of the human brain, which is relevant to the debate on single-sex versus co-ed education.

What did Sydney's Barca College change to align with the modern world?

Sydney's Barca College changed from being a single-sex school for boys since 1890 to a co-educational institution to better reflect the modern world and promote diversity.

What is the argument made by Phillip Heath, the principal of Barker, for introducing co-ed learning?

Phillip Heath argues that life is co-ed and to best prepare students for their future, schools should be co-ed as well, promoting a richer dialogue and cultural setting for better learning.

What is the current percentage of secondary school students in single-sex schools, and what is the estimated future trend?

Single-sex schools currently account for just 7% of secondary school students, and it is estimated that they could disappear altogether by 2035.

What benefits does Dr. Niccole Our Shire, the principal of Loretto College for girls, believe single-sex education provides?

Dr. Niccole Our Shire believes that single-sex education allows for personal development, better academic outcomes, participation, and collegiality by removing gender-based judgments and tailoring education to the specific needs of girls.

What is the 'diamond model' of schooling, and how does it combine co-education and single-sex teaching?

The 'diamond model' is a schooling approach where co-education and single-sex teaching coexist on the same campus, with students being co-ed from preschool through age 11 and then single-sex during the formative adolescent phase until age 16, before coming back together.

What are the neurological implications of separating children based on their biological attributes, according to Professor Lisa Elliot's research?

According to Professor Lisa Elliot's research, separating children based on their biological attributes can be harmful as it may change their brains and their ability to empathize and understand the other gender.

What is the consensus between Phillip Heath and Nicole are Shire regarding the choice in education?

Both Phillip Heath and Nicole are Shire agree that the most important aspect of education is choice, allowing parents to make the best decision about what works for their children, whether it's co-ed or single-sex schooling.

What is the main takeaway from the Rowland family's experience with both single-sex and co-ed schools?

The Rowland family's experience suggests that the type of school (single-sex or co-ed) is not as important as finding the best school for the child's individual needs and strengths.