Valverde Reading
What does “educational quality” usually get measured by?
Test Scores and Outcomes
What is comparative inquiry in education?
Studying and comparing different education systems across countries
What is the second goal from MDG that caused problems?
Achieve universal education for all.
Which three African countries were used to compare quality and quantity?
Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho
Name 4 factors that affect students opportunity to learn
Teacher quality, materials, time, support
Why is the definition of quality (in education) incomplete?
It ignores the conditions that make learning possible.
Why is the Second MDG (Education for All) considered an inefficient measurement?
It does not guarantee a child to master the needed skills and competencies to maximize efficiency
Differentiate access to literacy and access to numeracy, and their measurement
One focuses on Quality (SACMEQ) and the other Quanity (DHS)
How are Learning opportunity political?
Access to quality learning depends on policy choices (who gets funding, good teachers, and resources) which are shaped by political priorities and Overall inequalit.
What is the PISA Olympics and how is it problemati?
Countries competing for higher test scores (like Olympic athletes. This turns education into a competition and disregards opportunities to learn by idolizing western countries.
When assessing education quality, the study focused on reading fluency and math problem-solving. Why not include artistic creativity, empathy, or social adaptation?
Pragmatic over conceptual — focuses on qualitative data that are easier to measure
What does EFA stand for? And was it measureing the same thing over time?
Education for All, initially measured quantity. but countries shifted from a simplistic measure of access to schooling and toward a fuller concept of access to learning (quant+quality)
Can “education quality”really be standardized worldwide?
No… each country has their own histories, cultures, and goals for education. So having one global definition ignores these differences and privileges that already match Western values or testing standards.
How does OTL (opportunities to learn) change our understanding of student success?
Shifts the blame from students doing poorly to the system failing them. Success depends on the chances students are given not just their personal ability.
When comparing wealth and gender in education, which factor causes the largest enrollment gap?
Wealth, Any souther African countries
In Tanzania, 15% of the population has never enrolled in school, compared to 5% in Uganda. However, 26% of Ugandans drop out due to a lack of materials and facilities, versus only 11% in Tanzania. What specific educational issue does each scenario highlight, and which outcome is more favorable?
One targets quantity access and the other targets quality, no preferable outcome as learning-access rate takes into consideration both.
How does PISA reinforce inequality between nations?
High scoring/ wealthy nations become “models” others try to copy, while lower scoring countries are labeled as “failing,” even if their challenges come from less resources or unfair comparisons which also reinforces global hierarchies.
How do global politics change educational policy?
Governments adopt global standards or reforms to appear competitive internationally, even if it may not fit their own agenda or needs.
What does Bifurcated literature stand for?
Overlooking at quantity or quality of schooling separately
Why is Lesotho’s educational system not more favorable toward boys?
This is because of the cultural and historical tradition of boys (and particularly poor boys) herding livestock. Men immigrating for work and women being sent to school.