Although it is an old school technique for private schools, it is a relatively new option for public schools. The National Association for Single-Sex Public Education estimates that “about 400 public schools now offer some form of single-sex education. A driving force in the single-sex education movement is recent research showing natural differences in how boys and girls learn.” This, however, has sparked a bit of a debate that goes beyond education. Civil rights concerns also come into play. When the debate heats up, it helps to understand all aspects of the issue. Those who support single-sex education in public schools argue that: some parents do not want their children to attend coed classes because, especially at certain ages, students of the opposite sex can be a distraction; others agree that simply placing boys in separate classes from girls does little, but single-sex education improves student success when teachers use techniques that are gender-biased of their students. Some research indicates that girls learn best when classroom temperatures are warm, while boys perform better in cooler classrooms. If this is true, then the temperature in a single-sex classroom could be set to accommodate both male and female students. Supporters say that coed schools tend to reinforce gender stereotypes, while single-sex schools can break down gender.