Jackson's experiment

When Jackson Middle School announced it would be separating sixth-grade boys and girls during recess and lunch, it received what assistant principal Christa Turner called positive support from parents attending an open house at the school. As with any change, there have since been some concerns raised about the experiment.

Before this turns into a community fracas (or an online free-for-all), let's remember: This is an experiment. It will only last for the nine weeks of the first quarter of the school year. There are no plans to extend the segregation of students by sex to other grades.

But school officials cite data showing that when boys and girls are separated in classrooms, they tend to focus better on the subject at hand. Sixth grade is when hormones start having an effect on relationships between boys and girls.

It is hoped that one result of the experiment will be fewer discipline problems that are common to middle schools.

At the end of the first quarter, the test will be evaluated. The segregation by sex may be reinstated. Or it may be dropped. Most parents agree that it's worth trying, and officials are to be commended for their experiment.