Does the "Negro" Still Need Separate Schools? Single-Sex Educational Settings as Critical Race Counterspaces. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terry, Clarence L.; Flennaugh, Terry K.; Blackmon, Samarah M.; Howard, Tyrone C.
• Is Part Of: Urban education. Volume 49:Number 6(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 666
• Page End: 697
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Black males -- academic achievement -- urban education -- best practices -- minority academic success -- urban education; Education, Urban -- Periodicals; Enseignement en milieu urbain -- Périodiques; Éducation; Milieu urbain; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 370.91732
• DOI: 10.1177/0042085913496798
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-0859

Abstract

This article explores whether contemporary educators should consider single-sex educational settings as viable interventions in educating African American males. Using qualitative data from a 2-year study of single-sex educational spaces in two Los Angeles County high schools, the authors argue that when all-male spaces effectively function as Critical Race Theory counterspaces, the educational experiences of high school–aged Black males are positively transformed. These cocurricular, single-sex counterspaces can effectively shield Black males from the marginalizing effects of urban schooling while serving as platforms for productive reengagement in positive school trajectories. Research-based principles for designing effective single-sex educational settings are discussed.