What are 3 factors that influence school organization?
a. Starting on time
b. Making smooth transitions in the classroom
c. Establishing effective routines
Describe the characteristics of an effective school.
a. Optimal school and class size: school (600-900), class ( less than 20 students)
b. clear academic focus and strong leadership: promote learning by working towards a goal.
c. High collective efficacy: The belief by teachers that their school can make a difference in the students' lives.
d. Interactive instruction: Students are involved in the lessons, not just a lecture.
e. Frequent monitoring of student progress: by tests and quizzes, graded homework and in class activities.
f. Safe and orderly environment: Minimized fighting/bullying so students can focus on academics.
g. Strong parental involvement: parental involvement raises students' grades, attitude/self esteem as well as lowering alcohol/drug use. It also makes teachers expect more out of the students.
What are the sources of funding?
•State Funding - which consists of state income taxes,state sales taxes, gaming revenue, alcohol and tobacco sales
•Local Funding - which consists of property taxes, income taxes, building fees and traffic fines
•Federal Funding - which comes mostly from grants (Example: Head Start and Title 1)
How are educational revenues spent?
The largest percentage of the educational budget (61 percent) goes to instruction, including teacher salaries. Ten percent goes to instructional assistance needs such as student services, teacher professional development, and curriculum development. Another 10 percent goes to administration, at both the district and the school levels. Maintenance of school buildings and grounds take up another 10 percent. Finally, transportation (school buses) and food services (cafeterias) each account for another 4 percent
What are the 2 major forms of school choice? How are they similar and different?
CHARTER SCHOOLS AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
Charter schools are alternative schools that are independently operated but publicly funded.
Innovative schools, such as KIPP schools (Knowledge is Power Program) are free, open-enrollment programs with a goal of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life.
They are similar in that they both offer a different curriculum, often a more difficult and faster-paced curriculum. They are independently administered public schools and are subject to less regulatory control from school board.
They differ in the fact that innovative schools are open-enrollment schools, where charter schools often make students apply and get accepted, with large waiting lists.
How do state laws influence education policies and practices?
States are legally entrusted with the education of children. States influence education by passing laws regulating teachers' qualifications, working conditions, and legal rights. They also create departments of education, which are given responsibility for formulating educational policies in the state.
What is teacher liability, how does it influence teachers?
Teacher liability is the legal responsibility teachers have to provied a safe envrionment for children and to care for them as if they were their own ( in loco parentis) in the event something should happen to them. This includes reporting information about the student such as evidence of child abuse in the event the teacher discovers such evidence.
Describe the legal implications of religion in the schools.
The First Amendment to the Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This law has important implications for teachers. It explicitly forbids the teaching of religion in the schools, and it prohibits the government from interfering with individuals' rights to hold religious beliefs and freely practice religion. It also has implications for prayer and religious clubs in schools, which are addressed in items 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4
What are students' rights with respect to freedom of speech, and search and seizure?
The 1st amendment to the Constitution gurantees all U.S. citizens freedom of speech. Students in school have this same right, provided that their actions don't interfere with learning.
If school authorities believe there is probable cause that a student possesses drug or a dangerous weapon the school may conduct a nonobtrusive search of the student and his/her possessions (nonobtrusive does not include a strip search). School lockers are considered school property may be searched if reasonable cause of a drug or weapons violation exists.
What is the Buckley Amendment and why is it important to both schools and teachers?
The Buckley Amendment protects a family's rights to privacy of school records. It requires schools to: (1) inform parents of their rights regarding their child's records, (2) provide parents access to their child's records, (3) maintain procedures that allow parents to challenge those records, and (4) protect parents from disclosure of confidential information. Because teachers are legal extensions of schools, they are legally bound by the same safeguards.
Why is teacher professionalism so important in making curricular decisions?
Teacher professionalism is essential, because--even though we're living in an era of reform, standards, and accountability--Teachers still make most of the decisions that influence what and how students learn. You saw this illustrated in Suzanne's teaching: Although she used the standard and the sample test item as a guide, she make all the decisions about what she would specifically teach, what to emphasize and how to best present the topic to make it meaningful to the students. This is the case for all teachers. No amount of specifying standards and accountability measures or any other mandates will ever replace the professionalism of the teacher in promoting student learning.
What is the difference between explicit and implicit curriculum, null curriculum and extracurricular activities?
the explicit curriculm is what teachers intentionally teach based on textbooks, curriculum guides, standards and other sources. In comparison, the implicit curriculum more dearly depends on the school climate and organization and teachers' attitudes and values. As a result, some aspects of the implicit curriculum may be out of the conscious control of the teacher.
the explicit and implicit curriculum describe what is taught, whereas null curriculum describes what is not taught. in particular the differences between the explicit and the null curriculum reflects the teacher's views about what is important to study and learn.
extracurricular activities differs from the explicit curriculum in that extracurriculum exists outside of students' areas of formal study. It's similar to the implicit curriculum in that important forms of learning result from both, but they are outside the scope of the explicit curriculum. The extracurriculum is different from the null in that it relates to what is learned whereas the null relates to what is not learned.
How does standards, accountability, the federal government, textbooks, and philosophy influence curriculum?
Standards define the subjects that students will need to take. Accountability requires students to demonstrate what they have learned. The federal government enforces bills, such as NCLB, and decides what level students need to be at, who will be taught, and what subjects are important. Textbooks are used as a teacher's resource for what will be taught. Philosophy affects teacher's priorities and how the class will be taught.
Describe the relationship between assessments, standards, accountability, and high stakes tests.
Standards are set as guidelines for teachers as to what their students should know by the end of the year. Teachers are held accountable to teach and make sure their students understand the material incidated by the standards. Statewide required assessments, usually in the form of high stakes tests, are used to test the students' knowledge of the material and to hold both the students and teachers accountable for the students' performance. Assessments, standards, accountability, and high stakes tests all influence teacher planning, what is taught, how learning is assessed, and consequences for poor performance.
Who is legally responsible for governing education in the United States?
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution clearly assigns legal responsibility for education to the 50 states.
Describe the educational governance structure at the local level.
State governance of education begins with the governor and the legislature. Though they have many other responsibilites, both influence education by focusing attention on educational issues. In addition, state legislatures supply about half of a district's education budget.
The organization directly and legally responsible for governing education is the state board of education. Consisting primarily of noneducators, the state board issues and revokes teaching licenses, establishes the length of the school year, creates standards for the curriculum, and develops and implements a system for gathering educational data.
The state office of education, composed of professional educators, implements educational policy on a daily basis. The state office of education is responsible for teacher licensing, curriculum supervision, approval of school sites and buildings, and collection of statistical data.
Describe the governance structure at the local, district level.
School districts are responsible for the day-to-day functioning of schools. They hire teachers and ensure that students have classrooms and books. They are governed by a local school board, consisting of elected citizens from the community. The school board sets policy; the district superintendant implements that policy. The district office; consisting of educational professionalsm orders textbooks and supplies, develops programs of study, administers standardized tests, and evaluates teachers. Finally, the school principal is responsible for governing at the school level. The school principal is key to the quality of education at the school level.
What are the causes of major funding inequalities in education?
Funding inequalities in education result largely from unequal revenue bases. Within a state, this can result from districts that have differing property values. Because significant portions of educational funding come from property taxes, inequities between districts within a state are common. Between state differences can also result from differences in states' tax bases.
Describe how the legal system at the federal level influences education.
First Amendment= gurantees all citizens freedom of speech. Academic freedom
4th Amendment= protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
14th Amendment= due process in issues involving deprivation of life, liberty, or property.
Describe the goals of classroom management.
1. promoting a postive classroom climate
2. making the classroom a learning community.
3. developing student responsibility
4.maximizing time available for learning.