Leading SA Girls’ College Principal Speaks out on Why the Growing Co-Ed Shift is Setting Back Progress for Women in STEM
Loreto College Marryatville Principal, Dr Nicole Archard warns the growing push for co-ed schooling will decrease STEM participation and could leave a generation of girls as collateral damage.
An annual celebration of science and technology, National Science Week (13th - 21st August) is widely recognised in the education sector as an opportunity to strengthen student engagement and participation in areas of STEM.
However, with a growing number of Australian boy’s schools transitioning to co-ed environments, Principal of Loreto College Marryatville, Dr Nicole Archard suggests this shift could set back efforts to increase the participation of girls in STEM subjects, and subsequently, women in STEM careers.
“It is fitting that this year’s National Science Week theme is ‘Glass: More than meets the eye’ because when it comes to the common argument that the co-ed environment better prepares students for the real world, there certainly is more than meets the eye. This real world is still a society without gender equality, where women earn far less than their male counterparts, are underrepresented in leadership positions and experience discrimination in the workplace,” said Dr Archard.
She continues, “Our role as a girl’s school is not to replicate the real world, but to challenge it. What we do in a girls’ school is create an environment where girls learn to have a voice and build the self-confidence to participate in every subject available to them, including the traditionally male-dominated area of STEM.”
Research findings have consistently highlighted that girls in single-sex schools choose to participate in mathematics, technology, and science subjects at rates far higher than the national average.
“If we are to continue encouraging girls to participate in STEM subjects and pursue STEM-based careers, we must offer them the learning environment to do so. I passionately believe this is within a girl’s school setting,” said Dr Archard.
Dr Archard’s view is supported by research that suggests girls do not have higher learning or well-being outcomes when placed in co-ed environments – but boys do. With further suggestions that girls can provide a positive influence on boys’ learning by helping to moderate boys’ behaviour.
“There is of course a reason why a growing number of boy’s schools are making this the co-ed transition – it benefits their male students. What is not considered within the debate is the impact this will have on a generation of girls. Not only in terms of STEM participation but also girls’ overall academic, social, and emotional wellbeing,” said Dr Archard.
Results from NAPLAN and PISA and findings from Mission Australia’s Youth Survey all highlight the disadvantages of co-ed schools for girls, revealing that academic, social, and emotional wellbeing is lower for girls in co-ed schools than in single-sex schools.
“Whilst we also acknowledge the shift in co-ed schools implementing single-sex classes or introducing parallel or diamond models of schooling to separate male and female students in certain STEM and Physical Education subjects. And yes, this is a small step on the right track. The reality is, it does not come close to the benefits seen within a girl’s school environment,” said Dr Archard.
Dr Archard emphasises that the girl’s school model supports a positive environment where girls are excited and curious about STEM-based careers and are encouraged to challenge the gender stereotypes placed upon them.
Loreto College embodies this ethos towards STEM participation with a diverse range of science subjects offered and taken up by Year 11 and Year 12 students – the majority choosing to study at least one or more science courses for their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
About Dr Nicole Archard
Dr Nicole Archard is a highly qualified, passionate advocate for girls’ education. With a Doctor in Philosophy in Gender, Girls’ Education, Women and Leadership, in addition to three Masters’ degrees, she is well qualified to champion that view.
Dr Archard believes that a girls' school environment is the best place for girls to be educated and that it equips them to challenge gender stereotypes, develop a confident and articulate voice, develop leadership capacity in all forums, and be comfortable within themselves.
A published author and accomplished public speaker, Dr Archard advocates nationally and internationally on the topics of gender, women and leadership, girls and STEM, and girls’ education.
About Loreto College
Loreto College Marryatville is South Australia’s leading all-girls day and boarding school, catering for students from Early Learning to Year 12.
Established in 1905, a Loreto education is built on a 400-year-old tradition first inspired by the founder of Loreto schools worldwide, Mary Ward, and encapsulates her beliefs in delivering an education that inspires strong, passionate, and confident girls and young women.
In delivering this view, Loreto College Marryatville provides girls with a well-rounded education where students are presented with a broad range of opportunities and given the support and encouragement to become confident and engaged learners with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their world.
Shannon Muscolino