Education 417: School and Society
Fall 2009
Course Calendar Tuesday AM and PM
(tentative, changes may be made)
Week 1: Sept. 1
Course Introduction
Review of course syllabus
Early Beginnings of U.S. Education: Recurring Issues and Questions
In class video: School, the Story of Public Education.
Vol. 1
Week 2: Sept. 8
Topic:
Public Schooling: Present Situation and Major Historical Highlights
Brainstorm research topics
Read:
Review statistics about the educational situation in the U.S., demographics,
student achievement, resources, etc at http://nces.ed.gov/programs/code/list/index.asp
Come to class, prepared to share your findings. Bring one or two tables
that were of particular interest to you.
Find out about the most important aspects of No Child Left Behind on the web at http://www.ed.gov/nclb/overview/intro/execsumm.html
Due:
Web ct: Knowing a little about our class mates is always interesting and it makes it easier to participate in class. Write a brief introduction about yourself (your interests, hobbies, professional goals, family, cultural background, etc.). About 200 words. If you would like to know a bit more about your instructor, you can go to http://www.sonoma.edu/users/f/filp/education/Biograph.htm
Research interest: Look over the list of topics to be discussed during the semester. See which one is of particular interest to you.
Concept Knowledge Survey: You will receive an email from me with a link that will take you to the 417 Concept Knowledge Survey. Please complete the survey, print out your answers and bring copy to class, and submit the survey online. This is a knowledge survey, not a test, and you will not be graded. Its purpose is to present to you a general overview of the concepts you will learn in this course, as well as allow you to monitor your own growth. You will answer the same survey at the end of the semester. In addition it will provide me information about the prior knowledge you bring to the class with regard to the history and philosophy of education in the U.S. and about current issues in education. This will help me design the class sessions and the learning activities to optimize our learning.
In class video: School, the story of public education. Vol. 1
Week 3: Sept. 15
Topics:
Purpose of Public Schooling
Library Workshop. We will meet in Schultz
Library 2016A
Morning Section: we will meet at 9:00 AM
Afternoon Section: we will meet at 4:00 PM
Schedule Research Presentations.
Read:
The Purposes of Public Schooling. (From: Spring, J. 2006. American Education. McGraw Hill:Boston, 12th Edition). In course reader, pages 6 - 33. Course Reader is available in the Copy Shop on 1435 East Cotati Avenue in Rohnert Park.Due:
Send me an email with your research topic. In the subject line please write: "Education 417 research topic"
Week 4: Sept. 22
Topics:
John Dewey
Read:
Dewey, John. My Pedagogic Creed. Click here for online article
Noll Issue 1. Should Schooling Be based on Social Experiences? Dewey and Hutchins.
In class video:
School the Story of Public Education - Dewey
Due
Start working on your Library Browsing paper. You may email me a rough draft until Friday, Sept. 25. I will give you feed-back to guide you in your work.
Week 5: Sept. 29
Topic:
Diversity and Education
Read:
Student Diversity. In Spring, J. 2006. American Education. McGraw Hill:Boston, 12th Edition. (In course reader)
Noll, 14th Edition, Issue 6. Has Resegregation Diminished the Impact of
Brown? Read the article by Orfield and then read the online article by Wraga.
(Read Issue 7 if you have the 15th Edition)
Due:
Library Browsing Paper. Bring hard copy to class, post on Turnitin. You may email a rough draft of your paper by Friday Sept. 25, I will give you feed-back to guide your work before you have to hand it in.
In class video: School, the story of public education. Vol. 3
Week 6: Oct. 6
Topic:
Multicultural Education
Gender Issues and Education
Read:
Read online article by Sonia Nieto click here
Note: When you get to the article, you need to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the link that says "PDF file"
Read about the gender gap: (click on each title to access the articles)
Where the girls are. The facts about gender equity in education. American Association for University Women Read the Executive Summary. It is a very interesting article if you are interested in gender issues in education.
Closing the Gender Gap: What does it really mean?
Due:
On the library web site look for an online article on gender issues in education. Bring a copy to class, come prepared to discuss the content of the article in small groups. On webct post the reference for the research article you are bringing to class.
In class video: Anti-bias curriculum
Week 7:Oct. 13
Topic:
Bilingual Education
Mini-research presentation
Assign chapters for Kozol
Read:
I f you have the fourteenth edition of Noll, read Issue 16. Should Bilingual Education Programs Be Abandoned?
If you have the fifteenth edition of Noll, you can read the articles online Porter: The Politics of Bilingual Education (Yes)
Rothstein: Bilingual Education: The Controversy. (No)
Read online article Reflections on Identity and
Language Available online. Click on title.
Due:
On webct write about your own personal opinion regarding bilingual education.
Respond to a classmate's refection. No need to hand in hard copy.
Start working on your midterm; it's due next week. If you have questions,
come and talk to me; make an appointment if you cannot come to my office
hour. You may email a rough draft to me by Friday Oct. 16. I will give you
feed back and let you know if you are on the right track.
Click here to see a one page example of the type of essay expected.
Start Reading Kozol, I will assign the chapters you will have to read and share with your group. The discussion will take place on Nov. 3.
Group 1. Chapter 1 and 12
Group 2. Chapter 2 and 12
Group 3. chapter 3 and 12
Group 4. Chapter 4 and 12
Group 5. Chapter 5 and 12
Group 6. Chapter 6 and 12
Group 7. Chapter 7 and 12
Week 8: Oct. 20
Topic:
Children with Special Needs
Read:
Noll Issue 14. Is Full Inclusion of Disabled Students Desirable?
On the website of the National Center
for Learning Disabilities read about the definitions of learning disabilities,
early warning signs, common warning signs, legal rights, tips for parents,
tips for teachers.
Then, if you are planning to become a teacher, explore the "At school" link on that same website.
If you are a parent, browse the material under the "In the home" link
If you don't see yourself in any of the above groups, then explore the "College and Work" link.
In class we will share what information you thought was useful or interesting for you. (No need to read all the material, it's just browsing)
Due:
Midterm paper. Bring hard copy to class. Post on turnitin, you can find this link on our webct page. Remember that you may email a rough draft to me by Friday Oct. 16, so you can get feed-back and make sure you are on the right track.
Week 9 : October 27
Topic:
Federal, State and Local Governing Agencies and their Influence on Education.
Read:
Noll Issue 8. Can Federal Initiatives Rescue Failing Schools?
14th Edition Read one of the articles of the Issue: Can
Charter Schools Revitalize Public Education? Marc Bernstein
"Why I'm Wary of Charter Schools?" and read the
online article written by Joe Williams, "Games Charter Opponents Play".
Click here
for this article.
If you have Noll, 15th Edition, read both articles for
Issue 12. Do Charter Schools Merit Public Support? Here you will find the
Article by Williams and by Bernstein (read both of them)
Start reading Esquith, Teach Like your Hair is on Fire , or Teaching from the Heart by Erin Gruwell (it depends on which book you chose). We will discuss them on November 10.
Due:
On Web ct post a reflection about Issue 8. Respond to a classmate's reflection.
Mini-Research Presentations: If today is your day to present, bring hard
copy of your paper, in addition post it on Webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash
drive.
In class video: School, the story of public education. Vol. 4
Week 10: Nov. 3
Topic:
Assessment and High Stakes Testing
Discussion of Kozol
Read:
The two chapters in Kozol that were assigned to you.
Noll Issue 9. Do High-Stakes Assessments Improve Learning?
Read about the tests used in California schools, review the results. What trends to you detect? Information available online at http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2008/Viewreport.asp
Continue reading Esquith or Gruwell
Recommended Reading:
Standards, Accountability and School Reform. click here
Due:
Mini-Research Presentations: If today is your day to present, bring hard
copy of your paper, in addition post it on Webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash
drive
Reading Reflection for Kozol. From the chapters you were assigned choose one paragraph that intrigued, moved or inspired you. Copy the paragraph, add page number, and write a brief reflection about your own reaction to it.
Come prepared to present to your group a summary of the contents of the
chapters you read.
Week 11: Nov. 10
Topic:
Public Education and Religion
Discussion of Esquith and of Gruwell
Read:
Noll Issue 16 (in 15th Edition).Is "Intelligent Design" a Threat to the Curriculum? If you have the 14th edition you will read the same articles online. Mark Terry "One Nation, Under the Designer" click here and Dan Peterson "The Little Engine that Could. Undo Darwinism" click here
Esquith, come prepared to share your insights and reactions to the reading.
Due:
Mini-Research Presentations: If today is your day to present, bring hard
copy of your paper, in addition post it on Webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash
drive
Bring one interesting discussion question for Esquith or Gruwell (depending on which book you chose). Remember to bring your book to class.
Week 12: Nov. 17
Topic:
Philosophy of Education
Read:
In Course Reader, read: Philosophical Roots of Education (p. 66-99) and Pioneers in Education (p.101-123)
Due:
Mini-Research Presentations: If today is your day to present, bring hard
copy of your paper, in addition post it on Webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash
drive
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash drive
Week 13: Nov. 24 NO CLASS SESSION, FURLOUGH
Topic:
Technology and Education
Read:
Noll 15th Edition: Issue 19 Do Computers Negatively Affect Student Growth?
If you have have the 14th Edition you can find the articles online
Online Reading: click here "Talk the talk: Learner-generated podcasts as catalysts for knowledge creation."
Explore educational websites click here
Due:
Due to furlough we will not meet in a regular class session.
Go to Edutopia.org and browse the information that is presented regarding technology integration. Explore one of the links and write a brief review on webct:
What did you learn?
What surprised you?
What are some of the problems that you see?
Start working on your Education Philosophy, you may send me a rough draft
for comments by Thursday December 10.
Week 14: Dec. 1
Mini-Research presentations
Due:
Mini-Research Presentations: If today is your day to present, bring hard
copy of your paper, in addition post it on Webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash
drive
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me and bring on cd or flash drive
Continue working on your Education Philosophy, you may send me a rough
draft for comments by Thursday December 10.
Week 15: Dec. 8
Mini-Research presentations
Due:
Mini-Research Presentations: If today is your day to present, bring hard
copy of your paper, in addition post it on Webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash
drive
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me and bring on cd or flash drive
Complete the Concept Knowledge Survey. You will find the link for this survey in an email I have sent to you to you ssu webmail. Click on the link, complete the survey, print out a hard copy to bring to class and submit the survey online.
Week 15: Dec. 8
Mini-Research Presentations
Mini-Research Presentations: If today
is your day to present, bring hard copy of your paper, in addition post
it on Webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Email Powerpoint presentation as attachment to me or bring on cd or flash
drive
Education Philosophy. Bring hard copy to class, post on webct Discussion Board and Turnitin.
Remember to respond to a class mate's philosophy on webct by midnight Wednesday