Schools: Choices and Challenges

1. Schools: Choices and Challenges Chapter 9 in Sadker and Zittleman

2. You are thinking about a school with disappointing test scores… • You see it as the principal does…. • You see it as a progressive teacher does • You see it as the Chamber of Commerce does…. • You see it as the grandparent of a child does…. • You see it through the eyes of a minority family….

3. 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

4. I believe K-12 Schools should… • Focus on academic skills • Transmit cultural and societal values • Prepare for vocations • Develop the whole person

5. I believe higher education….. • Should prepare for vocations • Should research (create) and distribute knowledge • Should better society • Should encourage personal development

6. American schools should attempt all of these things to the extent possible • True • False • Not sure

7. 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.

8. Education Reform • A long history – see School for evidence • Recently: • 1983 -- Report entitled A Nation at Risk. • Perceived state of crisis….

9. 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?

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

13. Vouchers • Ongoing legal debate • Separation of church and state • Public divided • Related to Friedman’s notion of free-market capitalism and forces on schools.

14. 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

15. With respect to public charter schools, I am…. • In clear opposition • In favor • A graduate – liked it • A graduate – have concerns

16. When I have children I might • Consider home-schooling • Never consider home-schooling • Choose home-schooling, as it worked for me • Avoid home-schooling, as I didn’t like it

17. I believe that competition models from business are…. • A good idea, as business works • A good idea for parts of society • A bad idea for all of society • Promising, but potential for corruption

18. 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

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