EDC Final IN PROGRESS

Tenth Amendment

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

what are your legal rights and responsibilities as a teacher?

- interview questions must be related to the job requirements. Questions about race, creed, marital status, sex, religion, age, national origin, and physical or other disabilities and even a request for a photograph with an application are generally illegal. - discrimination: Victims of sexual harassment are also victims of sex discrimination under Title IX and can, in theory, recover monetary damages. Have to keep a record of the harasser's behavior and have witnesses willing to corroborate what happened. Filed with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) before going to court. -discrimination: if the school district can demonstrate that you have disrupted education or have lost credibility, then you may be fired. Unfair of the board of education to make the issue public to gain community support for its position. Also in 1989 the Supreme Court said that sex discrimination includes sex stereotyping and it is therefore illegal to mistreat employees when they don't comply with gender norms. Some federal courts have ruled that the 14th Amendment and Title VII of Civil Rights Act provide protection, but other federal judges have ruled that sexual orientation falls outside constitutional protections. -academic freedom: the right to academic freedom is not absolute. The courts will balance your right to academic freedom with the school system's interests in students learning appropriate subject matter in an environment conductive to learning. Courts see whether your learning activities and materials are inappropriate, irrelevant to the subjects in syllabus, obscene, or disruptive of school discipline -liability: a teacher who is not present at his or her assigned duty might be charged with negligence unless the absence is "reasonable". Courts generally use two standards in determining negligence: 1.whether a reasonable person with similar training would act in the same way and 2. whether or not the teacher could have foreseen the possibility of an injury -freedom of speech: teacher's freedom of speech often involves grey areas and may not always come out in the teacher's favor. The First Amendment prohibits teachers from displaying religious hostility. Could probably win in court if you were to issue public statements on matters of public concern, unless your statements were intentionally or recklessly inaccurate, disclosed confidential material, or hampered either school discipline or your performance of duties -copying published material: a teacher's right to freely reproduce and distribute published works is limited by copyright laws. Copyright protect intellectual property. Teachers may use copyrighted materials in class under 3 conditions: 1. written permission is obtained from the creator, author, or publisher. 2. material is in the public domain (more than 75 years old or is published by government) 3.reproduction of material is considered fair use -labor rights: state courts vary in upholding teachers' right to strike. Many communities choose not to prosecute striking teachers. For many cases courts have recognized the right of teachers to organize, to join professional organizations or union such as the NEA and the AFT, and to bargain collectively for improved working conditions. Legally speaking, teachers may be prohibited from striking by state law but are rarely prosecuted or penalized.

additional factors and insights into what influences effective schooling

-early start -focus on reading and math -school size (smaller the better) -smaller classes -increased learning time -professional development -parental involvement -parent education and support

what legal rights do students enjoy (and do they have legal responsibilities)?

-student records: the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or Buckley Amendment, allows parents and guardians access to their children's educational records. Also requires that school districts inform parents of this right and establish a procedure for providing educational records on request. Written parental permission is needed before these records can be shared with anyone other than professionals connected with the school the students attend, or another school in which the student seeks to enroll, health or safety officials, or individuals reviewing the student's financial aid applications. Supreme Court rules that students can grade their peers' academic work and announce results in class without violating the privacy act. Grades do not become private and part of students' educational records until they are recorded in a teacher's grade book -suspension and discipline: when considering suspension, the Supreme Court has ruled that teachers and administrators are required to follow certain procedures to guarantee the student's due process rights granted by 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Students must be informed of the specific rule they break and see the evidence. Students are also entitled to tell their side of the story in self-defense. School officials can be held personally liable for damages if they violate a student's clearly established constitutional rights. Every student has the right to learn in a school that is safe and equitable. Students' constitutional right to due process is not violated by zero-tolerace policies. In Ingraham v. Wright (1977) the Supreme Court said that physical punishment may be authorized by the states. The Court rules that corporal punishment should be "reasonable and not excessive" and such factors as the seriousness of the student offense, the age and physical condition of the student, and the force and attitude of the person administering the punishment should be considered. Many states and school districts do not believe in it and have prohibited the physical punishment of students. Alternative is restorative-justice practices. Aim to keep students in school and learning. -freedom of speech: students can wear whatever as long as they do not substantially disrupt the operation of the school or deny other students the opportunity to learn. Hate speech is another matter and reveals limits placed on students' freedom of speech. Student freedom of expression does not extend to vulgar and indecent speech. Although the courts have not definitively resolved the issue, several "cyber-Tinker" decisions support First Amendment rights. -school prayer: teachers are not allowed to lead a class in prayer. The Supreme Court has ruled that educators must be completely neutral with regard to religion. Public schools can offer courses on comparative religion, and teachers can read from the Bible, Quran or any religious text as an example of literature, as long as no religious doctrine is promoted or defame. First Amendment provides more freedom for students. They may engage in private prayer and religious discussion during school as well as form religious clubs on school property but only if other, nonreligious clubs can also use school space. Student-led public prayers at athletic events constitute school sponsorship or religion, which violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Illegal to compel a student to salute the flag. Schools can observe a moment of silence as long as its purpose is secular and does not encourage prayer over any other quiet, contemplative activity. -search and seizure: school authorities have fewer restrictions than do the police in search-and-seizure activities. The school has a parent-like responsibility to protect children and to respond to reasonable concerns about their health and safety. Schools are responsible for school property. May search a student's locker if there is reasonable suspicion that it contains something illegal or dangerous. Randomly conducting strip searches or spot-checking lockers for drugs, weapons, or other illicit materials violates students' rights under the 4th Amendment (protects basic individual privacy and ensures due process). -freedom of the press: student newspapers written as part of a school journalism course should be viewed as part of the official school curriculum. School administrators can readily censor such a paper. But if the newspaper is financed by the students and not associated with an official school course, the students would enjoy a greater degree of freedom -immigration problems: in 1982 the Supreme Court rules that, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, all children are entitled to a free public K-12 education. Schools can't require students or parents to disclose their immigration status, or ask questions that might expose it. Schools can't discriminate against undocumented students, deny them admission or "chill" their right of access to school -sexual harassment: unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, whether it occurs in person or virtually. Unwanted sexual comments, sexual gestures, and physical touch. Title IX of federal education legislation prohibits sex discrimination in schools. An individual accused of sexual harassment can still be sued for personal damages

three criteria in selecting the material

1. brevity- work can reproduced if it is not overly long. Poems or excerpts must be no longer than 250 words. Articles, stories, and essays of less than 2,500 words may be reproduced in complete form. Excerpts of any prose work may be reproduced only up to 1,000 words or 10% of the work. Only one illustration. 2. spontaneity- if a teacher has an inspiration to use a published work and there is not enough time to receive written permission, then the teacher may reproduce and distribute the work. 3. cumulative effect- the total number of works reproduced without permission for class distribution must not exceed 9 instances per class per semester.

common terms and typical situations related to teacher liability

1. misfeasance- failure to conduct in an appropriate manner an act that might otherwise have been lawfully performed. (Unintentionally using too much force in breaking up a fight) 2. nonfeasance- failure to perform an act that one has a duty to perform. (Teacher not supervising an assigned area of responsibility, like a cafeteria) 3. malfeasance- act that cannot be done lawfully regardless of how it is performed. (starting a fistfight or bringing marijuana to school)

what is the distinction between educational equity and educational adequacy?

Adequate education is intended to ensure that all students have the basic skills they need to become effective citizens and compete in the labor market. Includes having an "efficient", "sound basic", and "thorough" education. Each state has its own idea of what an adequate education is. LOOK MORE AT THIS

Serrano v. Priest (1971)

California Supreme Court struck down the state's financing system as unconstitutional. Declared that education was a fundamental right under the California constitution and that the property tax system violated equal protection of that right. Ushered in a wave of litigation in other states and an increase in the state share of school funding

how does commercialization at home and in school affect children?

Children are targeted by commercial interests and schools are used for marketing products or viewed as a profit center. Children's advertising industry is spending millions of dollars selling products to kids. Politics, changing lifestyles, and electronic innovation all contribute to this problem. Recent surge in personal electronic gadgets means that companies now target ads directly to children on iPods and other devices. Product placement, brand licensing, viral marketing, and guerrilla marketing. Aspirational marketing: advertisers have learned that younger children want to be like older children, so they intentionally market older child products to younger children. Schools promote specific products by entering "exclusive agreements" so no competitive products are sold on school grounds. To increase attendance, some schools offer prizes, paid for by local businesses. Teaching media literacy empowers children to understand and confront the marketing messages that manipulate them.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District case

Dec. 1965. Three students demonstrated opposition to Vietnam War by wearing black armbands to school. Principal said they were breaking a school rule and asked them to take them off. Students refused and got suspended. Students' parents sued school system, and Court ruled that the students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.

San Antonio v. Rodriguez (1973)

Edgewood Elementary lacked adequate books and air conditioning, along with decaying infrastructure and not enough teacher certifications, while 10 mins away in affluent Alamo Heights, children had better conditions. Edgewood had some of the highest tax rates on their properties, but the property wasn't worth much. Supreme Court ruled against Rodriguez. Declared that education was not a "fundamental right" under the U.S. Constitution and that preserving local control was a legitimate reason to use property tax system.

empowering the powerless

Paulo Freire- argued that schools often miseducate, working to control and oppress people, while true education liberates. We must help disadvantaged peoples learn to read, act collectively, and improve their living conditions. Also need to educate privileged students to be allies with the dispossessed and build a better, more equitable society

state board of education

Responsible for formulating educational policy. Members usually appointed by the governor but sometimes chosen in statewide election

what are the sources of state revenues?

Sales tax, personal income tax, other revenue sources like excise taxes (sin tax).

how does the federal government influence education?

Supreme Court has ruled that education is not a "fundamental right" under the U.S. Constitution and has left education to the states. Federal government's role is relatively small. Pays 9% of the cost of public schools in the U.S. 3% of this is the entire federal budget. Has influence through categorical grants and block grants. Also has influence through the courts.

academic freedom

The opportunity for teachers and students to learn, teach, study, research, and question without censorship, coercion, or external political and other restrictive influences.

corporal punishment

The physical disciplining of a student by a school employee.

Pickering v. Board of Education

after balancing the teacher's interests as a citizen in commenting on issues of public concern against the school's interests in efficiently providing public services, the Supreme Court rules in favor of the teacher. It found that the disciplined operation of the school system was not seriously damaged by Pickering's letter and that the misstatements in the letter were not made knowingly or recklessly. No special need for confidentiality on the issue of school budgets. Prohibiting Pickering from making his statements was an infringement of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech

service learning

all schools should use service learning to connect students with the larger community and develop their personal responsibility for improving society.

copyright laws

a federal law that protects intellectual property, including copyrighted material. Teachers can use such material in classrooms only with permission, or under specific guidelines

what are the goals of America's schools?

academic competitiveness, academic curiosity, academic basics, work readiness, civic loyalty and responsibility, social change, artistic creativity, social mobility, passing the cultural/historical baton, acculturation, global knowledge, empowering the powerless, ethical personal development, service learning, child care

what current trends are shaping educational finance?

accountability, choice programs, vouchers, and the neighborhood school, longer school day and year. economy's impact on school budgets, the growing rich-poor divide, decaying infrastructure, and commercializing children and schools.

voucher

admission ticket to any school. The government gives parents a certain amount of money which parents can use to "shop" for the best public or private school. Public taxpayer money that the parents use in any school they want. Chosen school gets paid by turning in the student's voucher to a local or state government, and the government pays the money the voucher is worth. Theory: good schools will thrive and maybe even expand. Weak schools will have difficulty attracting "customers" and eventually go out of business. Underlying belief is that private schools are more effective and that rewarding private schools will force public schools to change their ways. However vouchers appear to have little impact on student achievement while reducing funding to public schools

open enrollment

allows parents to send their students to any public school in the state with available space. In most cases, this means switching to another school in the same school district or one in a neighboring district.

magnet school

attracts students by offering one or more special programs, such as math, music production, language immersion, science, technology and/or other specialties.

a safe and orderly climate

before students can learn or teachers can teach, schools must be safe. Metal detectors and school guards don't create a safe learning environment. Safe schools focus on academic achievement, the school mission, family and community involvement, and creating an environment of respect for teachers, students and staff. Student problems are identified early. Provided with school psychologists, special educational programs, family social workers, etc.

what are the ethical responsibilities of teachers and students?

beyond simply following the law, students need to understand right from wrong. Students blame pressure to perform, the competitive college-admissions process, and apathy toward schoolwork. Teachers can be proactive and work with students to promote honesty over deceit and improve their learning skills. When you help students develop those skills, their learning improves now and for the future. When teachers and students explore values like integrity and honesty while observing a consistent no-cheating policy, students learn lifelong lessons. Also, dealing with cases like plagiarism, cheating and child abuse. Have to protect the physical and emotional well-being of your students

bond

certificate of debt issued by the government guaranteeing payment of the original investment plus interest by a specified future date. Give local communities the money they need to build the schools and 15 to 20 years to pay off the debt

sales tax

charge added to all sales. Consumers pay a few extra pennies for small purchases and a few extra dollars for large purchases. Hurts poor families more than rich ones because the poor spend most of their income buying necessities, so most of their money is being taxed

what new school options are replacing the traditional neighborhood public school?

charter schools. Created in early 1990s in Minnesota. Ended up teaching more than 6% of all public school students, with higher rates in many urban districts. Created new competition for neighborhood public schools, and all of public education today. Most Americans support them and see them as more effective than their neighborhood school. But most parents don't fully understand how charters work. It's a tax-supported public school with legal permission to operate an "alternative" school. Gain greater freedom to operate outside many normal public school regulations. Creates own curriculum and structure, no admission tests, etc. Reformers want to expand public school options for parents and children, and promote a specific approach like student-centered learning. Face some different economic and academic pressures than neighborhood public schools. Most income comes from per-pupil funding so they have find additional ways to pay for unique programs and goals. Poor test results are one source of pressure that can lead to serious malfeasance in charter schools. Sometimes just bad management. Children with severe disabilities seldom attend charters and are far more expensive for "traditional" schools to educate effectively. Civil rights advocates argue that charter schools increase racial and economic segregation in the nation's public schools. Many charters struggle to find appropriate facilities, retain qualified teachers, and develop adequate technology or library resources

personal income tax

collected through payroll deductions, money deducted even before you receive your paycheck. Each state determines how equally or unequally the tax burden falls on the poor, middle class, and rich

14th Amendment

constitutional provision that ensures due process and equal protection under the law. Also grants states and federal citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in U.S. regardless of race

intellectual property

creations of the minds, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, such as poems and books and art, as well as names and images used in commerce.

school boards

determine educational policy, and their members tend to be male, white, and not young.

Lawrence Kohlberg

developed the moral stages of development concept, based on work of Jean Piaget who identified intellectual development. Earliest stages of moral development involve learning right from wrong by avoiding punishment and striving for reward. Most adults function at a middle stage, where they obey society's laws, even if they're unjust. At the highest level, individuals act on principles which may violate conventional laws and norms.

educational malpractice

developing line of litigation concerned with "academic damage". Assesses liability for students who graduate from school without fundamental skills. Many courts have rejected the notion that schools or educators be held liable for this problem

what classroom strategies promote moral education?

during American colonial experience, values such as diligence, hard work, punctuality, neatness, honesty, conformity and respect for civil and religious authority were instilled. Most important course was moral philosophy. Today, schools choose from different approaches to moral education and ethics. Most states use federal grants or state statutes to provide character education programs, which aim to teach core attributes of a moral individual directly to children in school. Ideally, school curriculum, culture, conduct codes, and community service promote values including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. These programs can also challenge students to act on these values. Some include training in conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

other revenue sources

excise tax, or sin tax: gasoline, tobacco, and liquor. Severance tax: based on state's mineral wealth. Motor vehicle license fees, estate or gift taxes, and state lotteries. Most states use lottery revenues to supplement, not fund, parts of an established education budget. More poor buy lotto tickets

what are the characteristics of effective schools?

five characteristics of effective schools: strong leadership, a clear school mission, a safe and orderly climate, monitoring student progress, high expectations

why has school reform become a national priority?

for most of our history, school did not matter much to most Americans. School was someone else's problem. Today the norm is for most children to attend schools for many years, a huge historical change. Less than 20% of Americans rate schools other than public schools as an A or a B. Contradictory perceptions of school performance, which began with a national report issued in the 1980s, have led to an erratic school reform movement. No Child Left Behind movement as well. Teach to the test

Carol GIlligan

found that women and men tend to react differently to moral dilemmas. Developed concept of "moral voices", which explains that the masculine voice is "logical and individualistic" and bases moral decisions on protecting individual rights and upholding concepts of justice. Female voice is relational, basing moral decisions on nurturance of human bonds and caring for other individuals. People can best reach their moral potential by integrating both voices

categorical grants

funds directed at specific categories and targeted educational needs. Have provided funding for preschool programs for poor children, library construction, acquisition of new technology, educational opportunities for veterans, training, educational reforms, lunches for low-income youth, etc. Identify critical education areas for federal financial support.

high expectations

high teacher expectations produce high student achievement, and low expectations produce low achievement. Good-looking, well-dressed students fit a certain stereotype so educators tend to think they're smarter than their peers. Male students are thought to like math, science and technology and female students are thought to be better in language skills.

John Goodlad

in massive 1980s study "A Place Called School", he confirmed these broad expectations of schools. Found 4 broad goals: 1. academic, 2. vocational, 3.social and civic, and 4. personal

virtual schools

in theory, they provide access to a wealth of online learning from pre-school through to university without brick-and-morter costs like maintenance of buildings, playgrounds, parking lots, and the like. Major universities now offer free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and degree programs, while virtual public and private schools offer courses and programs that students can complete on their home computers.

adequate education

intended to ensure that all students have that basic skills they need to be effective citizens and compete in the labor market. Varies by state: Maryland example vs. Connecticut example

why do teachers need to know about finance and governance?

it's unwise and dangerous for teachers to invest their time and talent into a career in which the key decisions are considered beyond their knowledge or influence. Educational finance may well determine not just the quality of life you experience as a teacher but also the futures of the students you teach. Teachers should be advocates for children, who themselves are excluded from policy decisions. Teachers are forced to dig out of their own pockets for school supplies

block grants

large sums of money given directly to the states with few strings attached. Reduce obligations, rules, and even competition associated with seeking federal dollars. Give states power to make their own spending decisions.

fair use

legal principle that allows the limited use of copyrighted materials without written permission or payment. Examples include commentary, criticism, parody, news reporting, library archiving, teaching, scholarship, or research,

liability

legal responsibility for one's acts or omissions. Failure of a person (like a teacher) or entity (like a school) to meet that responsibility leaves him/her/it open to being accused of negligence and sued for damages.

property tax

local real estate taxes (also cars and personal property) historically used to fund local schools

longer school day and year

many charter schools have extended their school day and year as one tangible way to improve student performances. Hard to do with shrinking education budget

what are the unintended consequences of school reform?

many fundamental assumptions about public education and how it can be improved: -"charter schools will improve education". Needs more funding. Charter schools alone will not improve the nation's schools. -"private schools are better than public schools". Little evidence that students are better prepared academically or do better later in life. -"merit pay will improve teaching and learning". Research doe not support concept that merit pay leads to better student achievement. -"unions protect weak teachers". Teacher unions fail when they protect incompetent teachers. Teachers are not the only factor critical to student success. Some schools themselves are in terrible shape. -"schools are in deep decline". U.S. schools have not entered a new age of dramatic deterioration.High school diploma percentage has risen. While U.S. students lag behind many students in Asia in some subject areas, scores have improved. -"test scores tell us which students, teachers, and schools are doing well." An education should also honor a student's unique gifts, talents, creativity, and insights. -"we must train workers to successfully compete in the world economy." The current reform movement assumes a single, overarching purpose: to prepare workers to compete in a global economy.

what school goals are important to you?

more towards reconstructing society. View of eduction as a way to improve the quality of life, to reduce the chances of conflict, and to create a more humane world. Opposite of cultural transmitter.

vouchers and neighborhood schools

move funds from public schools to private ones, leaving the public school at greater financial risk. The neighborhood school is being challenged by school competition and growth of charter schools. Many neighborhood schools are disappearing or being reconstituted.

academic curiosity

not enough students have internal motivation to learn and we need to create self-directed students and citizens

academic competitiveness

our students need to rank first in the world on international tests of science, math and technology

civic loyalty and responsibility

our students should be citizens first, with deep love of country and firm understanding of their civic obligations. They must learn to engage in the larger community by volunteering, voting, participating in politics, respecting different opinions, and enduring uncomfortable compromise inherent in democracy

state department of education

performs administrative tasks needed to implement state policy. Licensing teachers, testing student progress, providing information and training to teachers, distributing state and federal funds, seeing that local school systems comply with state laws, and conducting educational research and development.

due process

procedural requirements that must be followed in such areas as student and teacher discipline and placement in special education programs. Exits to safeguard individuals from arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable policies, practices, or actions. Essential elements are: 1.notice of the charge or actions to be taken, 2. opportunity to be heard, 3.right to a defense that reflects the particular circumstances and nature of the case

accountability

public wants to see academic progress for their tax dollars. Schools are often ranked by their students' standardized test scores, and these scores can often influence the teachers' pay.

what are the roles of teachers and students in reforming our schools?

recently, the focus of teacher evaluation has started to shift toward classroom performance. Teacher evaluations and salaries were linked to student test scores (value-added approach). Many students don't test well, regardless of what they learned. Some teacher unions, administrators, researchers, and politicians are working together to develop more comprehensive and equitable evaluation methods. How class time is used, a nurturing and respectful classroom climate, and the quality of questions asked by both teacher and students. Blaming teachers is a simplistic and discomforting part of the reform movement, esp. while few teachers are asked for their ideas for improving schools. Most teachers support reform and change. They do not feel comfortable in a system that rewards longevity rather than competence. Many states have raised the bar for earning tenure, and in some cases, eliminated tenure entirely. Another plan is merit pay, which bases salary on performance. Influential teacher organizations cautiously support merit pay, but don't want it based solely on student test scores. They want local teachers involved in planning merit pay systems, and oppose plans that penalize teachers who work in under-resourced schools. -meaningful school governance, improvement, and reform depend on trust. Teachers in schools without trust naturally cling to job security for protection and are unlikely to try new strategies. Student academic performance improves when trust is present in a school. -student opinions are rarely sought, their voices rarely heard. In rare schools where there is student trust, they participate in textbook selection, writing school behavior policies, and designing new school buildings. Connection between students' life experiences and their school relationship is crucial

zero-tolerance policy

rigorous rules that offer schools little or no flexibility in responding to student infractions related to alcohol, drugs, tobacco, violence and weapons. These policies have been developed by both local school districts and a number of state legislatures, and in most cases, students who violate such policies must be expelled

how do school boards and superintendents manage schools?

school boards determine educational policy, and their members tend to be male (60%), white (85%), and older (50 years or more). Look like leaders we find in corporate America or government. Sometimes elected, sometimes appointed. The governor, legislature, state superintendent, or state school board consider different ideas for improving education. State superintendent and state department of education informs all teacher candidates of new course requirements. During the past 2 decades, the influence of school boards has decreased. Little consensus on how they should operate. Typically more elite, politically conservative, and upper-class individuals being elected. Local school district superintendents often mediate conflicts, are civil service-type administrators

social change

school is a perfect tool for making needed repairs in our world. Students must face society's critical challenges, and as adults become social change agents

what is the "hidden" government of schools?

school secretary and parents. Parents, vocal individuals, the school secretary, and community groups have covert power and can bring significant pressure to bear on which teachers stay in a school, and which leave.

acculturation

schools need to teach students to adopt our language and values quickly so that they can navigate successfully in our culture.

child care

schools should be a caretaker for the work force's children, or our entire society will be in jeopardy. Schools also function to delay the day when young people enter the workforce and compete with their elders for jobs.

ethical personal development

schools should focus on making students more honest, ethical, kind and compassionate. Need to learn to make responsible decisions in our daily lives, like avoiding products made by exploited children overseas.

artistic creativity

schools should promote creativity in the arts and develop each student's skills and talents. Honing artistic skills, preparing for performances, and presenting work to the public all teach students real-life applications of math, literature, science, and interpersonal skills

passing the cultural/historical baton

schools should teach the nation's most important historic events and figures, along with our culture's most influential books, authors, artists, and inventors. Society depends on social cohesion. Students must be provided with some common, basic knowledge they share.

strong leadership

students make significant achievement gains in schools in which leaders articulate a clear school mission, are a visible presence in classrooms, hallways, and elsewhere, hold high expectations for teachers and students, spend a major portion for the day working with teachers to improve instruction, are actively involved in diagnosing instructional problems, create a positive school climate

monitoring student progress

students need to have a clear sense of how they are doing in their studies by keeping progress charts in their notebooks. Norm-referenced tests (SAT), objective-referenced tests (state assessment tests), students tracking their own progress, and homework

clear school mission

successful leaders clearly articulate the school's mission and stress change, innovation, and improvement. Less effective principals are vague about their goals and focus on maintaining the status quo.

chief state school officer

superintendent. Responsible for overseeing, regulating, and planning school activities, as well as implementing the policies of the board of education. Usually selected by board of education but sometimes campaigns for the position in an election

how are schools being made more responsive to teachers and the community?

teachers are expected to comply with policies made by principals and by district and state officials. Teachers do not participate in hiring new teachers, developing criteria by which their teaching will be evaluated, setting graduation requirements, or scheduling classes. Consolidation is used to merge smaller schools and districts into larger ones. Many districts however are reversing that process, and doing decentralization (creating charter schools operating without central office involvement). Site-based or school-based management shifts decision making from the central district office to individual schools, and collaborative decision making creates teacher committees to share power between principal and faculty. Key to success is trusting teachers. Idea of promoting teacher collaboration instead of competition.

Buckley Amendment

the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act granting parents of students under 18, and students 18 or over the right to examine their school records

how does the business community influence school culture?

the influence is extensive and growing. Companies that formalize a relationship with a school, by dedicating personnel or products or signing exclusive rights contracts, are said to have formed an educational partnership.

work readiness

the nation's economic well-being depends on an educated workforce that can compete in the global economy.

what are the advantages and disadvantages of teaching in a virtual school?

they usually begin with specific goals in minds. Like other charters, taxpayer, corporate, and philanthropic funding can make virtual schools profitable. At the same time, corporate support for online learning in traditional schools is growing rapidly. Many virtual learning programs are organized as full-time charter high schools, offering an entire curriculum online. Some students find these schools to be quite personal, interactive, innovative and well-suited to their learning styles. -Advocates: they fill an important need and may hold the answer to a growing teacher shortage. Say that it is the future of education -Critics: distance education isolates students and deprives them of important, in-person social interactions. Also the data on virtual school effectiveness is discouraging. More than 2/3 of the schools had weaker academic progress than similar brick-and-mortar schools. Low student engagement, high student mobility, and limited live student-teacher contact. Most operate with no or very few tutors, teacher aides, instructional assistants, guidance counselors, and other support for students and their families.

global knowledge

today's schools must create multilingual global citizens who thrive by knowing and appreciating wider horizons of cultures, histories, and values

academic basics

too many students graduate or drop out of school without basic literacy and numeracy skills. Need to make sure every student masters math, and to speak, read and write English proficiently.

Robin Hood reformers

took funds from wealthy districts and redistributed the monies to the poorer districts

how might teachers thoughtfully and safely manage social media in and outside the classroom?

troubling connections between children's technology use and developmental, behavioral, and health problems in and beyond the classroom. Linked to lower math and school achievement, reduced physical activity, and victimization by classmates. Also linked to psychological difficulties and sleep disturbances. Some teachers use social media to improve class discussions, build rapport, answer questions about class assignments, and keep students informed about school activities. Some schools prohibit any cyber-communications between teachers and students. Boundaries can blur.

Title IX of the Education Amendments (1972) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964)

two federal laws that prohibit many of these discriminatory practices. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program receiving federal financial assistance. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

how is the property tax connected to unequal education funding?

we have a decentralized system of funding. 3 levels of government: local, state and federal. Local and state governments share the biggest burden of funding schools. Federal government responsible for just 6 to 8 percent of total. Constitution does not address education, so it's ultimately in the hands of the local and state governments. Wealth was measured by size of people's farms. Property tax was created (larger the farm, more you had to pay in taxes that would go towards education). Today, value of your house determines how much tax money you put towards school. Levied on real estate and personal property. Urban areas struggle the most (municipal overburden).

social mobility

we must make college more accessible, and give K-12 students the vocational skills to move forward even if they don't attend college

growing rich-poor divide

wealthy districts developing creative strategies to ensure their schools are not endangered by funding redistribution plans. Parent-Teacher Association donations, online fundraisers, cooperative agreements with local business endowments, unequal local funding, tax-sheltered private educational foundations, etc.

economy's impact on school budgets

when the economy is down, state and local budgets are cut and education suffers. Fewer teachers, larger class sizes, elimination of sports, extracurricular activities, art, and music.