Single-Sex Schools Get a Boost

WASHINGTON —  The Bush administration signaled on Wednesday that it will help school districts overcome legal obstacles that discouraged them from creating single-sex public schools.

Education Secretary Rod Paige said he wants to revise federal regulations on single-sex education, giving the public 60 days to comment on what sorts of programs should be allowed.

Paige’s move could pave the way for more single-sex schools and classes, while removing the legal cloud that hangs over existing ones.

Only 10 single-sex public schools exist, with two more expected to open this fall, according to Dr. Leonard Sax, a psychologist and physician who heads the National Assn. for the Advancement of Single Sex Public Education.

Since 1972, Title IX has forbidden public school districts from discriminating against any student on the basis of sex.

Congress’ education bill, approved last year and signed by President Bush in January, clarified federal law on single-sex schooling, saying school districts could receive federal funding for single-sex schools if comparable coursework and facilities are available to girls and boys.