The anecdotal evidence is intriguing. Students who have struggled with academics and discipline blossom when they are enrolled in single-sex classes. Educators need to study single-sex education more, but in the meantime, we support the U.S. Education Department's decision to relax the rules, allowing more such classrooms and schools.

Earlier this month the department announced plans to revamp the way it enforces Title IX, the anti-discrimination law. The changes would ease the restrictions on creating single-sex classes and schools. Enrollment in the classes would be voluntary.

Department spokespersons said it is not advocating single-sex schools or classrooms, but simply wants to give districts and parents more flexibility in designing educational options. Critics of the decision warn it opens the door for gender discrimination and say single-sex education doesn't prepare students for life in the real world.

We say parents and districts should be allowed to give the approach a chance. In the meantime single-sex education warrants further academic study to determine whether it works, how well and if so why.

Under the current rules, instituted in 1975, single-sex classes have been allowed only in subjects such as sex education and physical education classes in contact sports. The thinking on the classes began to change in 2001, when Congress passed a comprehensive education law that labeled single-sex education as innovative.

The resulting new rules allow the classes to provide choices for students. If a school sets up a single-sex class, it would have to provide a co-ed class in the same subject and at the same level. It also gives districts the flexibility to set up single-sex schools. The programs would be monitored to make sure they are not discriminating against either gender. The proposals are open to public comment for 45 days.

Of course single-sex classes and schools have been part of private education for centuries. Teachers from schools in North Carolina and Illinois, where such public classes and schools have been tried, say the approach accommodates the different learning styles of boys and girls. Boys need more help with organization, for example, and girls need to develop their confidence. Advocates say separating the genders gives them a chance to learn according to their needs. At Oakland's Bret Harte Middle School, for example, science and technology classes for girls have successfully engaged girls when they usually turn off on the subjects.

Given the challenges facing our public schools, we think they should have as many options as possible to help students achieve. If single-sex classes and schools are beneficial to some students, we think they should be available, as long as they are monitored for discrimination.