The Effect of Coeducation on the Academic Achivement of the Tenth Grade Students at the Government Schools in Nablus Governorate

Co-education and its effect on academic achievement aroused the interest of researchers. Recently , the number of schools that adopted the co-education system has increased rapidly , and this led to some educational problems which need investigation , diagnosis and suggestions for solution . This study is aimed at knowing the effect of co-education on academic school achievement of the tenth grade students in Nablus Governorate . This effect may be determined by answering the following four questions: 1- Is there a significant statistical difference in academic achievement between students at same sex schools and students at co-educational schools ? 2- Is there a significant statistical difference in academic achievement between male students at same sex schools and male students at coeducational schools? 3- Is there a significant statistical difference in academic achievement between female students at same sex schools and female students at co-educational schools ? 4- Is there a significant statistical difference in academic achievement between males and females at coeducational schools ? The study population included (1820) male and female tenth grade students in the scholastic year 1998 - 1999 . From those (965) were males and (855) students were females . The study sample was randomly chosen and included (107) male and female students . The researcher prepared and used an achievement test in English to measure the students' academic performance .The test was given to a random sample of students at both same schools and co-educational schools . The validity of the test was checked by submitting the test to an independent group of judges . Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and Test —Retest method were used to determine the reliability of the study .A Reliability Coefficient of (0.97) was calculated . The Statistical analysis included the use of ( ANOVA) in addition to mean averages , Scheffe Test , and T- Test for independent Samples. Study Findings The results of the study indicated a significant statistical difference between the academic achievement of the students who attended same sex schools and students who attended co-educational schools . The study results showed that the test scores were significantly higher for students attending same sex schools than those students attending coeducational schools . The test scores were also significantly higher for males attending same sex schools than males attending co-educational schools . Females attending same sex schools also had significantly higher test scores than those females attending co-educational schools. However, the study results showed no statistical difference between males and females attending co-educational schools Therefore, it is concluded that co-education negatively affected the students' academic achievement . Recommendations: Recommendations included the need for more studies on other school subjects , and other governorates in Palestine ; the need for appointing female teachers and educational advisors to help adolescents face their problems at co-educational schools ; establishing girls schools in villages where needed , or else improving the educational environment of the coeducational schools . It also included the importance of making (Observational Studies ) and (Longitudinal Studies) to know the effect of co-education on other aspects , not only the academic achievement