How to Make our Nation's Schools Better

Myth 17: Class Size

100

Does Class size matter in terms of learning?

A) Yes

B) No

A) Yes

200

What did both sides of class sizes use to help their argument?

A) Teacher opinions

B) Financial Statistics

C) Student Achievement

C) Student Achievement

300

In which state was the first impactful integration of Project STAR initiated?

A) Tennesse

B) Wisconsin

C) Ohio

A) Tennesse 

400

What do advocates for larger class sizes argue and why?

They argue that class size does not affect learning and teachers should be able to teach any number of students. They argue this for political and financial reasons.

500

In what ways does class size affect the Teacher and their interactions within the classroom?

Less availability of creative and individualized lesson plans, less one-on-one interactions, and fewer connections with the students. 

Myth 18: Flunking

100

Retained students are most commonly students from a 

A) Caucasian, Middle-class background

B) Students with parents with high-level educational experience

C) Students from low-income and minority families

C) Students from low-income and minority families

200

Retaining students is 

A) almost always ineffective

B) Often biased

C) A waste of money

D) All of the above

D) All of the above

300

What have studies shown about the results of students who have been retained?

A) They all show that retained students benefit from being held back

B) All studies show that retained students are doing worse than before

C) Studies consistently show that students do not do as well as they could if they were promoted

C) Studies consistently show that students do not do as well as they could if they were promoted

400

What two countries have prohibited the retention of students?

A) Finland and Denmark

B)Korea and England

C) Finland and Korea

C) Finland and Korea

500

What are the negative effects retainment has on school finances, local economics, and student progress?

Retainment depletes school finances (Approximately $11,000 per child), it lowers local economics due to school dropouts and lowers student progress. 

Myth 19: Tracking

100

True or False.

Tracking significantly benefits high-achieving students

False

200

Tracking tends to separate the students by

A) Class and Race

B) Gender and Race

C) Age and Gender

A) Class and Race

300

How does tracking separate students by race and class?

(Answers may vary)

400

Diversity

A) Lowers the student's academic abilities

B) Allows for interaction between students with different backgrounds and abilities

C) Discourages friendships

B) Allows for interaction between students with different backgrounds and abilities

500

What Psychological effects can tracking have?

Low tracks can tell the students they lack academic potential, causing the students to perceive themselves as bad students, lowering their motivation

50 Myths and Lies

100

What is the name of our required book?

50 Myths & Lies that threaten America's Public Schools

200

Who are the authors of the class book?

David C. Berliner and Gene V. Glass

300

What chapter are we reviewing today?

Chapter 4

400

Why is this book important for our class?

(Answers may vary)

500

In the preface, the authors share that a war is raging in the hearts and minds of Americans.  What are the two sides of this war?

The nation's public school system and corporate America.