Midterm

Question 1

50’s

Answer 1

education reforms that taught knowledge and skills essential for adult life. Innovations in science, math, modern foreign language, and summer workshops.

Question 2

60’s-

Answer 2

Pushed for reform, but many teachers lacked necessary resources. Instead, they continued to teach as they usually would and not in the new innovative styles. Elementary and Secondary Education act: allocated funds on the basis of the number of poor children in school districts.

Question 3

70’s-

Answer 3

Drops in enrollment, test scores, and public confidence.
Back-to-basics movement; increased teacher accountability.
Financial crises; schools receive less state aid.
Title IX “no person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from federal financial assistance.”
Education for all handicapped children act.

Question 4

80’s

Answer 4

Escalation of criticism from schools. More reformation.

Question 5

90’s-

Answer 5

Brown vs. Board paved way to desegregation of schools.

Greater diversity, competition, and innovation.

Question 6

Discuss the effect Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954, on segregation.

Answer 6

Brown vs. board paved the way for desegregation in schools. While it did not completely end segregation, it provided equal opportunities for all students.

Question 7

Trace the development of equal education opportunity for all Americans following WWII

Answer 7

Equal opportunity occurred with the teacher accountability and the back-to-basics campaign.

Question 8

Evaluate the role of the federal government and the courts in promoting equal educational opportunity. Including: title IX and education for All Handicapped Children (PL94-142)

Answer 8

I. Acts extend to due process procedures to guarantee all children’s needs are met, including special needs.

Question 9

Identify 3 themes that will continue to be educational priorities during the decades to come.

Answer 9

I. Excellence
II. Accountability
III. Equity

Question 10

“educational politics” and provide examples.

Answer 10

I. Educational politics: How people use power, influence, and authority to affect instructional and curricular practices within a school or school system. Ex: group of teachers went door to door passing out info about a much needed remodeling, 2 months later, voters approved funding for the project.

Question 11

Identify 5 dimensions of educational politics that influence teachers and their decision-making.

Answer 11

I. Potential pressure from the federal, state, and local levels.
II. Conflicting beliefs about what should be taught and how it should be taught.
III. Competition for educational resources.
IV. Changing legal rights and responsibilities of teachers.
V. Push for higher standards, testing, and accountability.

Question 12

Identify and describe the voucher system including its purpose, advantages, and opposing arguments.

Answer 12

I. Voucher system- funds allocated to parents that they may use to purchase for their children from public or private schools in the area.

Question 13

List and describe criteria for a valid contract, the granting of tenure, and grounds for dismissal.

Answer 13

Contract: 1. Offer and acceptance; the school board has made a formal offer, and the employee has accepted the contract terms. 2. Competent parties- the school board is not exceeding the authority granted to it by the state and the teacher meets the criteria for employment. 3. Consideration- remuneration is promised to the teacher. 4. Legal subject matter- the contract terms are neither illegal nore against public policy. 5. Proper form- contract adheres to state contract laws.
II. Granting of tenure: 2-5 years of satisfactory teaching.
III. Dismissal of tenure: Insubordination, insufficiency, neglect of duty, physical/mental health, age, illegal activities, sex-related activities, etc.

Question 14

Discuss the grounds for denial or non-renewability of a teaching certificate

Answer 14

According to law, unsuccessful performance or failure to complete the school year is grounds for non-renewal.

Question 15

Describe the protection teachers have against discrimination.

Answer 15

The right to nondiscrimination is protected by Title VII of the civil rights act. This prohibits any kind of discrimination with employment.

Question 16

Explain the steps teachers can take to provide themselves with the greatest measure of protection of their right to academic freedom.

Answer 16

Due process

Question 17

Define “culture” with a description of its major elements.

Answer 17

A way of life common to a group of people; includes knowledge deemed important, shared meanings, norms, values, attitudes, ideals, and view of the world.

Question 18

Clarify the distinction between ethnicity and race.

Answer 18

Ethnicity refers to a “shared sense of peoplehood, culture, identity, and shared language and dialects.”
Race is a subjective concept that is used to distinguish among human beings on the basis of biological traits.

Question 19

Explain the concept of minorities

Answer 19

Minority refers to any group numbering less than half of the total population. Some minority are actually considered majority, but many struggle to obtain full education.

Question 20

Summarize findings from studies of minority-group students and academic achievement.

Answer 20

Many minorities drop out of schools
Achievement gap exists between white and minorities
Socioeconomic status contributes most to students achievement in schools

Question 21

Describe how religious pluralism is reflected in classroom dynamics.

Answer 21

Religious pluralism affects sex-ed, evolution teaching, intelligent design, and liberal points of view.
Educators would do well to inform themselves on religious groups and respecting them.

Question 22

Define “multicultural education”

Answer 22

Education that provides equal educational opportunities to all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, ethnic, racial, or cultural background. It is dedicated to reducing prejudice and celebrating rich diversity.

Question 23

Describe and give examples of the 5 dimensions of multicultural education.

Answer 23

1. Content integration
2. Knowledge construction process
3. Prejudice reduction
4. Equity pedagogy
5. An empowering school culture and social structure

Question 24

Explain the importance of diverse perspectives or “voices” in a multicultural curriculum.

Answer 24

One should be sensitive to the cultural voices that previously have been silent or marginalized. Effective teachers attend to these previously unheard voices with a genuine desire to make the curriculum more inclusive.