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to a Latin school at all and think probably

20 decision was erroneous," he said. "This

girls would benefit every bit as much as

lawsuit was about trying to overturn an

the boys," said Carol E. Tracy, executive

election. If the special interests of this com-

director of the Women's Law Project. "But

munity are unwilling to accept the change

this does not pass legal muster."179

for which the people of Upper St. Clair

voted, costs will continue to rise un-

checked, taxes will continue to rise and our

Rhode Island

property values will decline."177

Sex Education

· Providence--At the urging of the Rhode

Island chapter of the American Civil

Integration vs. Self-Determination

· West Chester--In December, the West

Liberties Union, in March the state's

Department of Education banned pub-

Chester school board took up a propos-

lic schools from using the abstinence-

al to ban boys from playing girls' field

only sex education courses provided by

hockey, and to keep the district's girls'

Heritage of Rhode Island, a pro-absti-

teams from playing against squads with

nence advocacy group. The ACLU said

boys. For one thing, the fact that men

that the curriculum "endorsed particu-

already have more athletic opportuni-

lar religious views . . . invaded students'

ties than women is one good reason to

privacy rights," and "promoted sexist

keep boys out of field hockey, said

stereotypes." In light of that, the organi-

Donna Lopiano of the Women's Sports

zation applauded the state's action,

Foundation. And another? "Do you

asserting that it was the right response

want to put that boy hitting a ball that's

to "inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars

harder than a baseball in front of that

to support discriminatory and religious

girl? Do you want to take that chance?

teachings" in public schools.

The answer for most school districts

Chris Plante, executive director of

should be no." For boys who want to

Heritage of Rhode Island, denied that

play field hockey, however, the issue is

the program forced religion on young

simply about being able to play their

people but noted that it did include val-

sport. And even some girls' coaches

ues that many people want their chil-

think boys should be allowed to play

dren to be taught. "We work in Rhode

with girls, as David Grace, who coached

Island where we know the faith commu-

a girls' team that had a boy on it, sug-

nity sees the religious or spiritual neces-

gested: "When you see the contributions

sity of this type of program."180

he made--not only on the field but also

at practice--you would not want to say

boys aren't permitted to play."178

South Carolina

· Philadelphia--The proposed Southwest

Freedom of Expression

· Latta--15-year-old Candice Hardwick

Philadelphia Academy for Boys raised a

debate about single-sex schooling in

wanted to wear clothing to school with

Philadelphia when the school came up for

the Confederate battle flag on it in order,

approval by the city's School Reform

she said, to honor her ancestors who

Commission in January. Proponents of

fought in the Civil War. Her problem was

single-sex education argued that boys

that her school wouldn't allow that

have different needs than girls, and that

because of the negative associations

many boys and girls can learn more effec-

many people have with the symbol. In

tively in single-sex settings. Opponents,

May, Hardwick staged a protest against

however, argued that separating students

the district. Moreover, in a sign of how

by gender is both illegal and can reinforce

complicated issues of race and expression

negative stereotypes. "We are not opposed

can be, one of Hardwick's most visible

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