Schools: Choices and Challenges

Chapter 9 in Sadker and Zittleman

You are thinking about a school with disappointing test scores…

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20% 20% 20%20%20%1. You see it as the

principal does….2. You see it as a

progressive teacher does

3. You see it as the Chamber of Commerce does….

4. You see it as the grandparent of a child does….

5. You see it through the eyes of a minority family….

The Purposes of School • To Transmit Society’s Knowledge and

Values• Reconstructing Society• Subsets Include:• Academic• Preparation for Vocation• Social and Civic Values• Personal Development

I believe K-12 Schools should…

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Focus on academic... Transmit cultural... Prepare for vocat... Develop the whole...

1. Focus on academic skills

2. Transmit cultural and societal values

3. Prepare for vocations

4. Develop the whole person

I believe higher education…..

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25%25%

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Should prepare fo... Should research (... Should better soc... Should encourage ...

1. Should prepare for vocations

2. Should research (create) and distribute knowledge

3. Should better society

4. Should encourage personal development

American schools should attempt all of these things to the extent

possible

33%

33%

33%

True False Not sure

1. True2. False3. Not sure

Portfolio Question

• Review and complete exercises, pp. 316-319.

• Describe, analyze, and reflect – incorporating additional detail from the rest of the chapter, once you have read it in its entirety.

Education Reform

• A long history – see School for evidence• Recently:

• 1983 -- Report entitled A Nation at Risk.• Perceived state of crisis….

A Nation at Risk

• Gave rise to the standards movement• 3 Rs and Testing?• Competition models• Choice?• Teacher empowerment• Supporting the faculty?• Full Service Schools• Honoring the consumer?

The Economic Model of Choice

• Milton Friedman – 1950’s. Died in 2006.

• Free-Market Model – dating from 18th century model of Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations.

• “The Invisible Hand.”• Rise of School Choice arguments in 1980s.

Magnet Schools

• Traditional public schools reconfigured to appeal to a particular demographic group.

• Responsive in part to desegregation needs.

• Responsive in part to perceived curricular needs.

• May cost more• Change Neighborhood School

expectation.

Open Enrollment

• Minnesota a leader (1988).• Effects• Limitations• Activities• Demographics• Segregation (de facto and de jure?)

Vouchers

• Ongoing legal debate• Separation of church and state• Public divided

• Related to Friedman’s notion of free-market capitalism and forces on schools.

Charter Schools• Minnesota a leader – 1991 statute.• Allows for the creation of a new school, or

alteration of an existing public school• Prohibits admissions tests• Is nonsectarian• Requires a demonstrable improvement in

performance• Can be closed• Less Bureacracy• Receives funding per capita enrollment

With respect to public charter schools, I am….

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In clear opposition In favor A graduate – like... A graduate – have...

1. In clear opposition2. In favor3. A graduate – liked it4. A graduate – have concerns

When I have children I might

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Consider home-sch... Never consider ho... Choose home-schoo... Avoid home-school...

1. Consider home-schooling

2. Never consider home-schooling

3. Choose home-schooling, as it worked for me

4. Avoid home-schooling, as I didn’t like it

I believe that competition models from business are….

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A good idea, as b... A good idea for p... A bad idea for al... Promising, but po...

1. A good idea, as business works2. A good idea for parts of society3. A bad idea for all of society4. Promising, but potential for corruption

Five Factor Theory of Effective Schools:

• 1. Strong Leadership• 2. A Clear Mission• 3. Safe and Orderly Climate• 4. Monitoring Student Progress• 5. High Expectations

Beyond Five Factors• Early Start• Focus on Reading and Math• Smaller Schools• Smaller Classes• Increased Learning Time• Assessment• Teacher Training• Trust• Technology?