Class Readings
Educational Politics
Film Fest
Class Discussion
Just For Fun
100
List one major topic covered by one of the articles on BlackBoard and describe it.
Pedagogy of the oppressed. Education the equality of life. Still Separate and Unequal. How race affects achievement. Race and achievement gap. Funding Accountability. (States, Courts, and public) NCLB School House Marketing Charter Schools Finland Education
100
Where does the funding from school vouchers come from?
State Budget
100
How many black students were first admitted to Little Rock High School in 1957?
9
100
In reference to a class discussion, what does it mean to bring the ground floor up?
Lower economic schools need to be brought up to par with more well funded schools.
100
The Trouble With Black Boys, Holler if You Hear Me, The Death and Life of the Great American School System.
What are the class readings?
200
What is the name for the charter school Geoffrey Canada founded in New York City?
Harlem Children Zone
200
Who implemented "Race To The Top?"
Barack Obama
200
Which group was called into to handle the riots in Little Rock during the school integration?
101st Airborne Division
200
Explain how money affects education as a whole, and give two specific examples of how not having money can affect a school.
Education needs money to function from the top to the bottom. Providing resources, well educated teachers, extracurricular activities, and elective courses.
200
What "Hero" is everyone waiting for?
Superman
300
In the article "Why I Changed My Mind" by Diane Ravich, Why did she change her mind about supporting the No Child Left Behind Act?
Due to the lack of improvement in test scores and laments the fact that President Obama is continuing the educational policies of President Bush such as expansion of charter schools and judging teachers by test scores.
300
What is the number one reason millionaires are purchasing/funding charter schools?
Money or Profit
300
In Finland, besides a quality education what does the school systems provide for their students for no cost?
Meals, Dental Care and Health Care
300
What is "Tracking?"
When a student is placed, at a young age, in an academic level and they are then grouped in that level for the rest of their schooling.
300
Who wrote Holler if You Hear Me?
Gregory Miche
400
Summarize Pedro Nogueras main argument in The Trouble With Black Boys, in reference to racial differences.
Every student can be educated at a high level no matter his or her race, economic background or gender.
400
List 3 goals of NCLB.
All Students will achieve high academic standards in reading in mathematics by 2014. All students will graduate from high school. Highly qualified teachers will teach all students. Improve scores on AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress). Every child can read by the end of third grade.
400
What is the name given to schools who consistently produce students who do not graduate?
"Dropout Factories"
400
Explain the voucher system.
When a child can take a voucher that is worth "X" amount of public money to any school they choose.
400
What is the purpose of EDFON 420: Social Foundations of Education?
This course examines the relation between diversity, equity, school reform, and democracy. We will examine schooling as a means of socio-cultural transmission and transformation, and develop the knowledge, skills, and conceptual tools needed to critically examine educational theories, policies, practices, and aims.
500
In the article "Beyond Silver Bullets" by Pedro Noguera and Randi Weingarten, what did the authors say is damaging to American Secondary Education?
Teachers Unions
500
Explain the controversy of installing merit pay. What are some pros and cons?
Merit pay is controversial because it conflicts with a lot of teacher unions and it makes people uneasy because of its pros and cons. Pros - More money, teachers will work harder, produce better results, better teachers. Cons - Encourage dishonesty and corruption, job security, pay based off of students achievement.
500
In Finland, what is the teacher lecture/student work time percentage?
40% Lecture and 60% Student Work Time
500
What is the current trend we are seeing regarding public schools and accountability?
Schools are being closed, transitioning to charter schools, firing teachers and integrating schools.
500
How do you fix the American School System?
Answers may vary ;)
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