Reading and Writing Assignments
This page is meant to complement the direction provided on the Conceptual Framework page.
Introduction
January 25: Submit to me via email:
(1) your blog URL including your Introductory blog
(2) your Twitter @name
(1) your blog URL including your Introductory blog
(2) your Twitter @name
Unit 1 - Schools
January 28: Read the following chapters from Teachers, Schools & Society prior to class:
February 3; Unit 1 Writing Assignment: While there certainly is no consensus as it relates to the purpose/aims of education, three themes are among the most common: (1) civic engagement/stronger democracy (2) college/career readiness and (3) whole person/cultural development. Your Unit 1 blog assignment is to choose which of the three “aims” you believe is most important and to discuss the ways in which schools are and are not succeeding in that regard.
- Chapter 5: Multicultural History of American Education
- Chapter 7: Financing and Governing America’s Schools
- Chapter 8: School Law and Ethics
- Chapter 9: Reforming America’s Schools
February 3; Unit 1 Writing Assignment: While there certainly is no consensus as it relates to the purpose/aims of education, three themes are among the most common: (1) civic engagement/stronger democracy (2) college/career readiness and (3) whole person/cultural development. Your Unit 1 blog assignment is to choose which of the three “aims” you believe is most important and to discuss the ways in which schools are and are not succeeding in that regard.
Unit 2 - Curriculum
February 11: Read the following chapters prior to class:
- Chapter 6: Philosophy of Education (Teachers, Schools & Society )
- Chapter 10: Curriculum, Standards & Testing (Teachers, Schools & Society )
- Chapter 2: Hijacked! How the Standards Movement Turned into the Testing Movement (Death and Life of the Great American School System)
February 17; Unit 2 Writing Assignment: As you know, Indiana lawmakers are in the process of gathering feedback and testimony regarding Indiana's adoption of the Common Core State Standards initiative. Your blog assignment is to write a letter to the Indiana Senate Education Committee expressing your support of or opposition to Indiana's adoption of the Common Core State Standards. In your letter, be sure to defend your position using course readings and any other resources you find compelling. Though you are not required to formally submit your letter, you are certainly welcome.
Unit 3 - Teachers
February 25: Read the following chapters prior to class:
- Chapter 1: The Teaching Profession and You (Teachers, Schools & Society )
- Chapter 11: Becoming an Effective Teacher (Teachers, Schools & Society )
- Chapter 9: What Would Mrs. Ratliff Do? (Death and Life of the Great American School System)
March 3; Unit 3 Writing Assignment: The state of Indiana now requires annual teacher evaluations that link directly to teachers’ salaries (otherwise known as “merit pay”). Supporters argue that regular feedback in the form of comprehensive evaluations improves teacher performance and thus student performance. Critics, however, argue that merit pay is unsupported by research and may lead to a greater emphasis on standardized tests.
Your Unit 3 blog assignment is to argue whether or not teachers’ salaries should be tied directly to their annual performance reviews. For the sake of this assignment, please assume that school districts will implement IDOE’s suggested Indiana Teacher Effectiveness Rubric (RISE):
http://www.riseindiana.org/sites/default/files/files/RISE%20Handbook%202%200%20final(1).pdf
A reminder: You will be evaluated not on the position you take, but instead on your ability to Research, Analyze and Defend (the RAD of RADAR) your position.
Your Unit 3 blog assignment is to argue whether or not teachers’ salaries should be tied directly to their annual performance reviews. For the sake of this assignment, please assume that school districts will implement IDOE’s suggested Indiana Teacher Effectiveness Rubric (RISE):
http://www.riseindiana.org/sites/default/files/files/RISE%20Handbook%202%200%20final(1).pdf
A reminder: You will be evaluated not on the position you take, but instead on your ability to Research, Analyze and Defend (the RAD of RADAR) your position.
Unit 4 - Students
Unit 4 Group Presentation information can be found here.
Unit 5 - The Reform Movement
April 1: Re-read Chapter 9 (Reforming America's Schools) from Teachers, Schools & Society prior to class.
April 8; Unit 5 Writing Assignment: As discussed in class, Indiana is home to one of the most expansive school voucher laws in the country. Proponents argue that school vouchers support choice, which increases competition and leads to better student outcomes. Opponents argue that vouchers undermine public education and in some cases blur the line between church and state. Your Unit 5 blog assignment is to take a side in the debate and defend your position. As with all writing assignments, I’m not concerned with the position you take as much as I am your ability to defend your position.
April 8; Unit 5 Writing Assignment: As discussed in class, Indiana is home to one of the most expansive school voucher laws in the country. Proponents argue that school vouchers support choice, which increases competition and leads to better student outcomes. Opponents argue that vouchers undermine public education and in some cases blur the line between church and state. Your Unit 5 blog assignment is to take a side in the debate and defend your position. As with all writing assignments, I’m not concerned with the position you take as much as I am your ability to defend your position.
School Analysis Project
Final Exam
Sunday May 5: Final Exam Blog