Single versus Coed Gender Education

Single-gender education refers to the delivery of instruction to members of the same sex in isolation from members of the opposite sex, whereas coed gender education refers to instructional delivery to males and females simultaneously. Although gender grouping is done at both schoolwide and classroom-specific levels, this entry focuses on the former.

The issue of single versus coed gender education has practical implications for schooling, yet most stake-holders' rationale for making a choice between options has more often than not been an issue of politics and economics rather than pedagogy. In the modern era, but prior to the 20th century, formal education at all levels was decidedly single gender—worldwide. Coeducation has since become common practice and is more often the instructional option of choice, especially among ...