Pasco County soon could become a testing ground for the theory that boys and girls learn differently and therefore should learn separately.

A group called the Florida Charter Foundation has proposed opening two charter school campuses in Pasco (sites to be determined) where kids would do enrichment activities like art together, but attend core academic courses in single-gender classrooms. The Franklin Academy would be based on the research conducted by the Hollis Institute for Educational Reform at Stetson University.

"It’s the board’s belief that there are true opportunities for great education outcomes in a single-gender classroom," foundation spokesman Tom Rogers told the Gradebook, adding that all students will receive the same curriculum based on the Florida Sunshine State Standards. "What we will try to do is offer different modes of instruction that work with them."

The foundation is led by former Republican state Rep. David Thomas of Sarasota, former Volusia schools CFO Bill Kelly and former Broward elementary school principal Terry Maus, who has served in leadership roles in the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. It made 18 applications this to open charter schools around Florida, including in Hillsborough County.

Pasco school officials are still reviewing the application, and said they have several questions to answer before making a recommendation to the School Board. No action is expected before November. The district also is evaluating a request by Imagine School at Land O'Lakes to add high school grades.

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