ACLU sues W.Va. district over single-sex classes - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

ACLU sues W.Va. district over single-sex classes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -

By JOHN RABY
Associated Press

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit claiming a Wood County middle school's single-gender classes violate federal law.

The lawsuit was filed against Parkersburg's Van Devender Middle School, its principal and a former assistant principal; the county Board of Education and Superintendent Pat Law.

It was filed on behalf of a parent identified as Jane Doe who has three daughters entering seventh grade at the school.

The suit seeks unspecified damages. It alleges sexual discrimination under the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause and Title IX, which prohibits schools that receive federal funding from discriminating based on gender.

The school two years ago began offering separate classes for girls and boys in reading, math, social studies and science.

Law and school Principal Steve Taylor declined comment.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.