Dr. Leonard Sax, associate professor at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA, presented preliminary research findings at the 2008 National Coalition of Girls' Schools (NCGS) conference. The study, funded by NCGS, examines how 2005 NCGS graduates compare in a number of areas against their peers in coed independent, public and Catholic schools. The preliminary results are below:
Women Graduates of Single-Sex and Coeducational High Schools
Differences in their Characteristics and the Transition to College
Math Confidence
Math Ability Above Average or in Highest 10%
48% from Single-Sex · 37% from Coed
Computer Skills
Computer Skills Above Average or in Highest 10%
35% from Single-Sex · 26% from Coed
Self-Rated Academic Ability
Academic Ability Above Average or in Highest 10%
Over 80% from Single-Sex · 75% from Coed
Self-Rated Intellectual Self-Confidence
Intellectual Self-Confidence Above Average or in Highest 10%
60% from Single-Sex · 54% from Coed
Public Speaking Ability
Above Average or in Highest 10%
45% from Single-Sex · 39% from Coed
Writing Ability
Above Average or in Highest 10%
64% from Single-Sex · 59% from Coed
Higher SAT Scores
Single-Sex Outscored Coed by 49 points
Participation in Student Clubs
Very Good Chance They Will Participate in Student Clubs
70% from Single-Sex · 60% from Coed