Single-Sex High School Choice and African-American Girls Why do African-American Girls Choose and Stay at a Single-Sex High School?
Graduation Date
Spring 2000
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program Name
Education
Program Director
Grace Grant, EdD
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the choice of a single-sex school for African American high school girls and their families. Additionally, their reasons for staying at the school were also examined. Six African American seniors and three of their mothers were interviewed. All girls attend a single-sex high school in the East Bay Area of Northern California. An extensive literature review was compiled as well. Tire literature review focused on sexism in coeducational learning environments, experiences in single-sex schools and choosing a single-sex school. Results indicated that in most cases, the parents in fact chose the single-sex school in order to avoid a “girls’ education5' chosen against the wishes of the students who wanted, the end of the students’ four years, they for their daughters. The school was to be in a coeducational school. However, at Students noted that the absence of boys without distraction and the school provided a safe allowed them to achieve in academics were satisfied with their high school experiences learning environment.