A letter informing the parents was then sent home, upon approval of the author’s principal. As previously mentioned, parents were very supportive of the author and her research. As time went on, however, they became anxious for “things to get back to normal.” A survey was then given to the students prior to the separation of classes. It was given to all the subjects and kept anonymous.
The study was conducted over a seven week period starting in mid-March, 2002 and completing at the end of April, 2002. Both teachers of each gender classroom taught the same lessons the same days. The teaching methods did not vary. Both teachers also assigned the same homework to be completed independently. The teachers made every effort possible to make sure the subjects were receiving identical instruction. (For sample lesson plans, please see Appendices D-G).