South Carolina schools could lose single-gender choice

COLUMBIA -- A popular choice in South Carolina's public schools is shrinking because of continued budget cuts.

South Carolina is the national leader in offering single-gender programs in public schools. The number of schools offering boy- and girl-only classes had spread rapidly to nearly 220 statewide last spring, and more schools had hoped to add the choice.

Instead, it has become a budget casualty.

Nearly 60 schools had to drop the option because there were no longer enough teachers to teach coed and single-gender. That includes a Greenville high school that lost nine teachers, said David Chadwell, the state's single-gender coordinator.

More than 275 teachers from across the state were expected to attend a workshop Saturday in Moncks Corner for single-gender education. About half of the teachers who signed up for the training teach coed classes but are interested in the program, Chadwell said.

The Education Department says 100 schools are considering offering the choice.

Hired in summer 2007 for the education agency's new Office of School Choice, Chadwell is the nation's first and only statewide single-gender coordinator. When he took the job, about 30 schools offered single-gender classes.

Other public school choice options that have expanded include Montessori, online classes and evening high school.

Chadwell said he hopes the division can continue its efforts to promote public school options. Cuts to the agency are expected to lead to 70 additional layoffs, after about 90 this year; 100 vacancies will remain unfilled.

A $5 billion spending plan approved by the House on Thursday would cut funding to school districts an additional 6 percent, returning state spending on teacher salaries to 1995 levels. Districts must fill the gap somehow.

There are already 1,000 fewer teachers this year compared with 2008-09.