“A beacon of clarity and open-mindedness, this impressive work will be the definitive resource on the legal and educational issues regarding single-sex education.”--Stephen Yandle, Yale Law School

A readable and objective assessment of the educational and legal issues surrounding single-sex education

Although coeducation has been the norm within private and public schools since the 1970s, single-sex education has staged a comeback in recent years as a means of addressing the academic and social problems faced by some students. Single-sex education raises controversy on ideological grounds, and in 1996 the Supreme Court struck down the all-male admissions policy at the Virginia Military Institute in a decision that has cast a legal cloud over public initiatives. In this timely book, Rosemary Salomone offers a reasoned educational and legal argument supporting single-sex education as an alternative to coeducation, particularly in the case of disadvantaged minority students.

Salomone examines the history of women’s education and exclusion, philosophical and psychological theories of sameness and difference, findings on educational achievement and performance, the research evidence on single-sex schooling, and the legal questions that have arisen. Correcting many of the current misconceptions about single-sex education, she argues that it is a viable option and that the road to gender equality should be paved with diverse educational opportunities for all students--regardless of race, class, or gender.

Rosemary C. Salomone, Kenneth Wang Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law, is a fellow of the Open Society Institute. She was on the faculty of the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University before joining the St. John’s faculty and has also served on the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York. Considered an authority on single-sex education, Salomone has been quoted on the topic in the Christian Science Monitor, Houston Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Education Daily, and on various radio and television stations.

Reviews

Although single-sex education has gained increasing appeal in recent years, it remains controversial on ideological grounds. In this timely book, Rosemary Salomone offers a reasoned educational and legal argument supporting single-sex education as an alternative to coeducation, particularly in the case of disadvantaged minority students.

"A beacon of clarity and open mindedness, this impressive work will be the definitive resource on the legal and educational issues regarding single-sex education."--Stephen Yandle, Yale Law School

"A thorough, thoughtful, and critical analysis integrating the legal, political, practical, and research dimensions of single-sex education. Unique is the absence of any contentiousness, bias, or superficiality. In sum, a remarkable achievement.”--M. Elizabeth Tidball, Professor Emeritus, The George Washington University

or, author of Taking Women Seriously: Lessons and Legacies for Educating the Majority

“Rosemary Salomone has written a thoughtful, fair, and comprehensive analysis of the myths and realties of single-sex schooling. What she has to say should be read by school officials, parents, and policymakers who are looking for alternatives to current patterns of schooling. Hers is a quiet and reasonable voice that should be heard in the midst of rancorous and unreasoning debates about what happens next.”--Diane Ravitch, historian of education, New York University

“Rosemary Salomone’s Same,Different, Equal: Rethinking Single-Sex Schooling is the single best book I have ever read about single-sex education. It is balanced, thoughtful and non-ideological--what a relief! She takes us on a fascinating walk through the history of gender and education in the United States and tells us who’s winning and who’s losing. Her book is a must-read for every educator who is concerned about the different outcomes for boys and girls in school.”--Michael Thompson, Ph.D, coauthor of Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys, and Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children.

“The road to equality in our nation's schools will not be the same for everyone. By skillfully weaving together legal, scholarly, and anecdotal research, Rosemary Salomone builds the case for a more diverse blend of educational opportunities to ensure that all students are being well served.”--Whitney Ransome and Meg Moulton, Executive Directors, The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

“Same, Different, Equal is what it promises to be: a scrupulous rethinking of single-sex schooling. Happily, it is even more, an important and necessary exploration of education done through the prism of gender. It should be on the reading list of everyone concerned with our schools and colleges.”--Catharine R. Stimpson, New York University

“A smart, objective, evenhanded examination of the debate over single sex education, and its benefits and drawbacks for girls and boys; first-rate research, sharp analysis, and no axe to grind; must reading in this important debate.”— Susan Estrich

"Engaging, well-written, and thought-provoking. . . . Salomone has provided us with a useful and intelligent discussion. . . . Same, Equal, Different provides a balanced review of the legal, political, cultural, and educational dimensions of the struggle over gender equality. . . . The book is a lively, multi-disciplinary success."--Stephen Arons, Law & Politics Book Review

SALOMONE, Rosemary C.: Same, different, equal : rethinking single-sex schooling. New Haven : Yale University Press, c 2003.