Specific Course Learning Outcome Aw Assignments
COMPLETE ALL PARTS THOROUGHLY
Part 1
Look for some articles related to current issues facing education. Several contemporary issues will be covered in this course, but as you work through the readings for this week that look back on the history of education in the U.S., including the importance of it and the difference in the way the U.S educational system functions when compared to Europe, consider what might be the most pressing issue facing education in the U.S. What will have to be addressed in the next five (5) years?
In the discussion, identify the issue you believe to be the most pressing and explain why you believe it to be the most pressing. Be sure to provide a rationale and support for your explanation with academic sources.
Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0CWZ13Il0Y&feature=youtu.be
Watch the video, The Condition of Education 2019. Looking back at last week’s discussion, in which you identified the most pressing issue facing U.S. education, has this issue been highlighted in the annual report? Do you see evidence of its importance?
Next, consider whether this issue has an impact on your current or desired role in education. If it does not have an impact on your role, explain your current or desired role and why it is not affected by this issue. If it does impac
Part 3
Select a non-Western country to research. Look for content from the last three (3) years that addresses contemporary education in your selected country. Identify both your chosen country and the issue identified, then explain the issue. Be sure to support your explanation with the sources you identified.
Then consider whether this is an issue in U.S. education as well. Why or why not? Could it be an issue in the future? Has it been an issue in the past? What major differences in the two (2) countries might account for differences you observe in the issues that you identify when compared to what is seen in the U.S.?
Part 4
Assignment 1: Diversity and Inclusion Training Presentation
Due Week 3 and worth 185 points
Review the case study below titled “Terms of Endearment”, in which teacher Virginia Lawson is confronted with issues of racially insensitive name-calling in her classroom and struggles with handling the situation appropriately. As you read, imagine you are asked by the Principal at Greenstown High School to serve as a champion for issues of diversity and inclusion at your school. You have identified issues with diversity, cultural competence, and inclusivity among the students and staff.
Ms. Lawson was glad to be teaching math at Greenstown High School, a racially and economically diverse school. She previously had worked at predominantly white schools with very few students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. After losing her job due to budget cuts, and after taking a course on diversity while earning her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree, she accepted a job teaching in a more diverse environment. She arrived at Greenstown feeling eager and prepared to take on a more culturally diverse student body.
Several weeks into her first year at Greenstown, Ms. Lawson was happy about how well she had adjusted to her new environment. She had taken several measures early in the school year to demonstrate her commitment to racial equity, and it seemed as though students were responding positively. She was especially pleased when she saw students of color reading the Diversity in Mathematics posters she hung around the room, highlighting historically important mathematicians of color from around the world.
The students complained a little — predictably, she thought — in all of her classes on the second day of school when, responding to the racially segregated seating patterns she noticed on the first day of class, she re-assigned seats. She never mentioned her reason for assigning seats, though, and students were accustomed to seat assignments from some of their other classes, so that tension passed quickly. All in all, things were progressing smoothly.
One afternoon around mid-October, as she gathered her materials for her fifth-period class and students made their way into her classroom, Ms. Lawson overheard one of her students use the n-word. Understanding how inflammatory the n-word can be, her immediate reaction was concern that there would be a fight in her classroom. When she looked up from her desk and peered toward the back of her classroom, where she was sure the word came from, she was surprised to see Reggie, an African American student, Adolfo, a Latino student, and Anthony, a white student, all laughing together.
“Who said that”? Ms. Lawson asked as she stood and walked toward the back of the room.
“Said what?” Adolfo asked, still laughing.
“You all know exactly what I mean. The n-word,” Ms. Lawson replied. Nobody responded, but Adolfo and Reggie both glanced at Anthony.
“Anthony?” Ms. Lawson prodded.
“I didn’t say the n-word, I said n-i-g-g-a, nigga,” he explained. Ms. Lawson was unsettled by how confident Anthony sounded, as though he really did not believe he had done anything wrong. “I always call Reggie that,” he continued. “He’s cool with it. It’s a term of endearment.”
Keisha, an African American young woman who had overheard their conversation, interjected, “That’s no term of endearment, you idiot. It’s racist. And you’re lucky you’re not getting a beatdown right now for saying it.”
“Enough of that,” Ms. Lawson said, glaring at Keisha. “There won’t be any threats of violence in this classroom. Sit down and let me take care of this.”
Unsure what to say next, Ms. Lawson turned toward Reggie. He no longer was laughing and, she thought, was beginning to look uncomfortable.
“Is that true, Reggie, that he calls you that all the time and you’re fine with it?” she asked.
“It’s no big deal,” Anthony explained. “Right, Reg?” he asked playfully, nudging Reggie with his elbow.
“Reggie can speak for himself,” Ms. Lawson said, then looked back at Reggie, who was looking even more uncomfortable. Just then, the start-of-class bell rang and Ms. Lawson looked up to see everybody in the room staring at her and Reggie. Feeling that, whatever he really felt about Anthony’s use of the n-word, Reggie was even more uneasy with the spotlight she was shining on him in that moment, she decided to drop the issue and commence with teaching class.
As she walked back toward her desk, she said with a half-defeated sigh, “Please remember, everyone, that one of our community norms is respect. I don’t care you how pronounce it or what you mean by it, there is no room in this classroom for that kind of language.” She knew, even as she was making that statement, that she had not handled the situation well. She also knew she needed to figure out a way to respond more thoughtfully in case it happened again.
Training Policy Document and Presentation Assignment
You will need to create a training presentation in which you share various aspects of diversity and inclusion and their importance to the school in a one (1) page policy document to be shared with the trainees.
Training Requirements
Be sure the presentation includes:
- An explanation of diversity and inclusion, including their various components/aspects.
- Examples of what inclusion might look like throughout the school and within individual classrooms with teachers, staff, and students.
- Strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion within the school environment and classroom setting.
- Tips for how to deal with situations similar to what is presented in the case study.
- New policy information for the school (what is outlined in the one [1] page policy document; refer to the presentation requirements).
Presentation Requirements
You may use Prezi or PowerPoint to design this presentation. Be sure the presentation meets these requirements:
- Includes ten to twelve (10-12) slides
- A title slide that includes your name, the professor’s name, course title, and date. Note: This slide is not included in the ten to twelve (10-12) slide requirement.
- Reference slide(s) that include at least four (4) peer-reviewed academic resources.
Policy Requirements
Be sure your policy meets the following requirements:
- One-page single spaced
- Created in Microsoft Word
- Outlines your organization’s policy on diversity and inclusion.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
- Determine how to foster inclusivity within a group of learners.
Part 5
As you can see from the readings, there are gaps in education — not only in the U.S. but in other countries as well. There are also several contributors to these education gaps.
Identify one (1) of the contributors to the education gap in the U.S. Explain how it came about and how it contributes to the education gap. Then offer at least two (2) potential ways to decrease the effects of this contributor to the education gap. Be sure to support your response with academic resources.
Part 6
Identify a piece of education legislation that was recently passed at the local, state, or federal level (within the last two [2] years). Review the details of the legislation. Determine how your legislator/representative voted on the issue. Write a letter to the legislator, thanking him/her for voting as he/she did, and explaining why you agree with his/her position or voicing your displeasure with how he/she voted. Explain your reason(s) for disagreeing and outline your position in the letter. Be sure to provide a rationale to back up your position. Post the letter to the discussion forum.
Part 7
Looking at the article Learning from Failure, what do you feel is the most valuable lesson learned from high-profile school reform initiatives? How does that lesson apply to you in your current or desired role in education? Explain how you might be able to apply this lesson to your role.
Part 8
Review the case study below titled “Turn It Around”, in which Dr. P. De Gogy, a newly hired superintendent of a small rural school district, must develop a plan to address and correct a myriad of issues and challenges within the district.
Dr. P.De. Gogy was extremely excited to have been selected for the Superintendent’s position in the Rocky Road School District. Dr. Gogy felt that this would be a great way to give back to her community. The headlines of the local newspaper read, “Local leader comes home to help.” She was extremely flattered that they had written the story about her. What she didn’t know was that the word “help” was an understatement. Rocky Road was in the throes of several lawsuits from former staff members who claimed discrimination and from angry parents who were suing because of alleged mishandling of their children’s Special Education IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). The job on which she was about to embark would be a tough one.
When Dr. Gogy graduated high school, she was awarded a full scholarship to the State University. She then earned her master’s and doctorate from a top tier university. During this time, she taught, became a principal, and wrote several books on school reform issues in America. She visited several other countries and was a guest lecturer at many conferences and universities, both in the US and abroad. Her father is a farmer and her mother works in a chicken factory.
The Rocky Road School District is located in rural Virginia and has a student population of 2,800. There is one high school, one middle school, and two elementary schools. The average family income in the district is $28,500. Fifty-five percent of the population is Caucasian, 22% is African American, 15% is Latino, 7% is Asian and 1% identifies as “other”. Farming is the major industry in this area; however, a number of residents work for a major chicken factory. The district has an annual operating budget of approximately $100,000,000.
During the first three months of Dr. Gogy’s tenure, she has faced teaching contract negotiations; however, the most pressing issue is that student test scores for the past three years have been sliding. The district itself did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)and is in Corrective Action. If Dr. Gogy and the Board don’t turn this ship around, the State has threatened take over the troubled Rocky Road School District.
Although the teachers’ contract negotiations are looking promising, several parents have pulled their children out and enrolled them in charter schools. Many of the parents who pulled their children out of the district indicated that the class sizes were too large, the school buildings were dilapidated, the teachers did not seem to care, and the principals never made time to meet with them. Dr. Gogy signed a 5-year contract; however, turning around this district will be tough. Dr. Gogy has to present a comprehensive 3-year strategic plan to the Board of Education in three months.
Proposal Report
Image that you are Dr. Gogy and are preparing to present the plan you have developed to the school board. Write a three to five (3-5) page proposal report in which you:
- Determine the main challenges that the Rocky Road School District is currently facing. Develop a three (3) year plan to address these challenges. Examine the actions you will take to address each of these challenges.
- Identify the main resources that you will need in each of the following areas in order to implement the plan – economic, social / community, political, and staffing.
- Take a position on whether it is feasible for you to turn this school district around within the length of your five (5) year contract. Provide support and a rationale for your position.
- Use at least four (4) peer-reviewed academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as academic resources. Peer-reviewed academic resources refer to articles and scholarly journals that are reviewed by a panel of experts or peers in the field.
Part 9
Identify what you believe to be the most disruptive innovation to arise within the last three (3) years. How does this innovation impact education? Be sure to think critically about how virtually any disruptive innovation could affect the way we learn and perceive the world. For example, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have made it possible for students who did not otherwise have reliable transportation to get to a campus for classes. It also can provide a more flexible source of income so that students can work around their school schedules.
Consider whether this innovation can be utilized in any way to enhance education. Are there concerns about potential negative impacts on education? Are there any ethical considerations? Be sure your response answers each of the questions presented.
Part 10
Type on paper what need to be said and submit it and I will do the video.
Create a three to five (3-5) minute video highlighting the challenges and proposed solutions from the case study. More specifically, summarize your response to Questions 1, 2, and 3 in Part 1 of this assignment.
Your video should follow these requirements:
- Your face should be clearly seen throughout and the audio quality should be such that no one would have issues hearing or understanding anything you are saying.
- Dress professionally. Remember that you are the superintendent speaking to the families in your district.
- Create a transcript of what you plan to say in your video and submit the transcript along with your video. This is important for both preparation (ensuring you are saying exactly what you need and want to say and not filling with unnecessary words or information) and for accessibility (a transcript will allow the hearing-impaired to review the message as well.).
To submit your video:
- Upload your video to YouTube or another streaming site. You may also use your Google Drive if you have a Google account.
- Submit a link along with your transcript in the assignment area in Blackboard.