Help grade my ACT essay please

RanDoMz
Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:32:32 +0000

Prompt: “In your opinion, should public high schools offer single-sex education?”

In the past several years, some high school administrators have attempted to change the co-ed education of students to single-sex education for classes such as chemistry and mathematics to prevent students from distractions. Indeed, this is a clear example of something Americans have long fought against – discrimination. The phrase “separate, but equal” comes to mind; this alludes to the ideology of the discrimination of African American from the postbellum years to the 1960s, when segregation was prevalent. However, as shown by history, separate is never equal. Gender segregation is no exception. Gender-segregated education does not and should not have a place in public schools.

While many are against gender discrimination, many are not aware that segregating male and female students in school is a prime example of gender discrimination. As proven in the past, segregation leads to discrimination. This will generate erroneous ideologies in students as to, “Why are they in a separate class? Are they not as smart as us?” Undeniably, gender segregation in classrooms is the seed to gender discrimination.

Some may argue that separation of genders may provide fewer distractions to the learning environment; some also argue that students are less likely to act out gender stereotypes. Although they might be correct on these two points, it is necessary to learn to deal with the opposite gender, as they are omnipresent in the students’ eventual workplaces. Rather than simply hiding the distractions or gender stereotypes, it should be in the best interest of the school officials to deal with them. For example, African Americans today are not segregated today due to some “distractions” or stereotyping that may occur; instead, they are fully incorporated in the classrooms.

Gender segregation in classrooms is not the answer. While hiding distractions and stereotypes, it does not deal with their roots. Also, segregation ultimately promotes gender discrimination, something school officials try to prevent.

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