Learning Activity Aired March 8, 2004 Federal officials plan to significantly loosen their restrictions on same-sex public education, giving schools the most freedom they've had to teach boys and girls separately in almost 30 years. CNN's Kathleen Koch looks at the pros and cons of single-sex classes. Learn about the history and impact of Title IX. Point out to students that because federal officials plan to change their enforcement of Title IX, the law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in public schools, U.S. schools will have the most freedom they've had in nearly 30 years to teach boys and girls separately. Next, direct students to conduct research to learn about the history and impact of Title IX. Instruct students to consult the Web sites below and other resources for diverse opinions on this legislation and its impact on sports and academics. You might also encourage students to interview older family members to get their perspectives on what life was like before Title IX as well as those of individuals who have benefited or suffered as a result of this legislation. Have students share their findings in class discussion. Then, ask student to write opinion papers about what's either right or wrong with Title IX and whether or not they support the Bush administration's decision to loosen restrictions on same-sex public education. Correlated Standards National Social Studies Standards Standard II: Time, Continuity and Change: Students will learn about the ways human beings view themselves in and over time. Standard IV: Individual Development and Identity: Students will explore the influences on individual development and identity including culture, groups and institutions. Standard VI:. Power, Authority and Governance: Students will understand the historical development of structures of power, authority and governance and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society as well as other parts of the world. The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/) are published by the National Council for Social Studies (http://ncss.org/).
Related Sites CNN.com: Feds to loosen limits on same-sex schools (http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/03/03/same.sex.schools.ap/index.html) U.S. Department of Education(http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml) Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 (http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/titleix.htm) Title IX: 25 Years of Progress (http://www.ed.gov/pubs/TitleIX/index.html) What You Need To Know: Title IX (http://womensissues.about.com/library/blwyntktitleix.htm) Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Civil Rights Laws (http://go.hrw.com/hrw.nd/arbiter/pRedirect?project=hrwonline&siteId=470&pageId=3168)
Keywords George W. Bush, Title IX, restrictions, public schools, same-sex classes, gender descrimination, teamwork, co-ed environment
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