A Gendered Choice
Designing and Implementing Single-Sex Programs and Schools
Foreword by Jim Rex
"Chadwell's book is a very useful guide for principals and administrators seeking to launch single-gender programs."
—Leonard Sax, Executive Director
National Association for Single Sex Public Education
"Any administrator following the process outlined in this book will impress teachers, parents and the board with their well thought out approach."
—Kathy Tritz- Rhodes, Principal
Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Schools
Marcus and Cleghorn, IA
"A thoughtful text and practical guide for educators who are considering establishing single-gendered classrooms."
—Pedro A. Noguera, Professor, New York University
Executive Director, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education
A comprehensive road map for single-gender initiatives!
Over 400 public schools in the United States offer single-gender classes or programs,and the number of schools contemplating such initiatives is growing at a rapid pace. In this book, David W. Chadwell, the first state coordinator for single-gender programs, offers a step-by-step process with practical planning tools for implementing high-quality single-sex programs and schools.
Organized into three sections—designing, initiating, and sustaining single-gender initiatives in local school sites and districts —this resource includes detailed, essential information on:
- Restructuring to accommodate single-gender classes
- Communicating with parents and overcoming resistance
- Understanding relevant legal issues
- Facilitating instructional changes
- Creating a 1- to 3-year plan
Featuring numerous vignettes, current demographic data, and critical insights for professional development, A Gendered Choice provides everything educators need to know about creating single-gender schools or programs.
"Single-gender education has reemerged as a sound approach to dealing with the academic issues of both girls and boys. This book provides comprehensive procedures for developing single-gender programs of all types. Chadwell covers every step of the process and points out where the pitfalls lie and how to avoid them. The planning tools at the end of each chapter involve the reader in the process and can serve as activities for workshops as schools and school systems begin the process of designing single-gender programs. This is a comprehensive handbook based on personal experience with developing single-gender educational programs. Chadwell knows what he is talking about not only from personal experience, but also as the statewide coordinator of single-sex initiatives for South Carolina. This is the book to read if you are considering implementing single-gender programs in your school."
"David W. Chadwell, an ardent activist for single-gender education, brings his passion and expertise to bear within the pages of this important book. It is imperative reading for all who seek to be informed about the viability of single-gender education. It’s a must read!"
"David Chadwell’s book is a very useful guide for principals and administrators launching single-gender programs."
"A thoughtful text and practical guide for educators who are considering establishing single-gendered classrooms."
“The author does an excellent job of providing the reader with each of the steps needed to successfully implement this type of program and the foresight to think about many of the questions and concerns that will come up along the way. Administrators following the process outlined in this book will impress teachers, parents, and the board with their well thought-out approach.”
"This is a fascinating area and a subject that needs to be explored and researched. With books like this, a more open dialogue can begin, and educators can consider more options for improving the learning curves amongst boys and girls.”