Question 1

The policy that focuses on techniques designed to improve achievement by holding schools and students to a predetermined set of standards measured by achievement tests is called

Accepted Answer

Standards-based reform is the policy that focuses on setting predetermined standards for schools and students to achieve, as measured by achievement tests. It is meant to improve achievement levels by holding schools and students accountable for meeting these standards. Meritocratic tracking focuses on assigning students to classes based on their abilities, zero tolerance policies are typically related to discipline and behavior, and school vouchers involve using public funds to pay for private school education.

Question 2

Mara wants to send her daughter to a school where the daughter will be more likely to be put in a position of responsibility, such as being a class officer, club president, or team captain. Which type of school should Mara send her daughter to?

Accepted Answer

In smaller schools, there are typically fewer students competing for leadership positions, which increases the likelihood of Mara's daughter being selected for a position of responsibility. Additionally, smaller schools often have a more tight-knit community and provide more opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities.

Question 3

Some critics of No Child Left Behind argued that it was having the unintended consequence of

Accepted Answer

No Child Left Behind provided incentives for schools to improve their test scores, but it did not take into account the fact that schools might try to achieve this by pushing low-achieving students out of school. By doing so, schools could focus their attention and resources on the higher achieving students, leading to an unintended consequence of further marginalizing already struggling students.

Question 4

Which has a greater effect on students' scholastic achievement: school size or class size?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which has a greater effect on students'...

Question 5

The gap in achievement between Black and Hispanic students, on the one hand, and White and Asian students, on the other hand,

Accepted Answer

While there have been some improvements, the achievement gap between Black and Hispanic students and White and Asian students remains significantly wide. This is demonstrated through various data and research studies.

Question 6

Research suggests that creating "schools within schools" in larger high schools can be associated with which of these outcomes?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research suggests that creating "schools within schools"...

Question 7

Comparisons of large and small schools reveal that

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that students in small schools are more likely to participate in school activities, clubs, and sports teams than their counterparts in large schools. This may be because they feel a greater sense of community and belonging in their smaller environment.

Question 8

Mitch attends a high school where 95 percent of the students are involved in extracurricular activities. This probably also means that at Mitch's school,

Accepted Answer

A smaller student body often allows for more personalized attention and opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities.

Question 9

Which of these approaches could counteract some experts' criticisms of No Child Left Behind?

Accepted Answer

Critics of No Child Left Behind often argue that the focus on standardized testing narrows the curriculum and does not encourage critical thinking or problem-solving skills. Requiring challenging, project-based assignments could address these concerns by promoting a more comprehensive educational approach that develops a wider range of skills.

Question 10

What did President Obama's education secretary suggest as a way to address the problem of the state-dependent standards in the No Child Left Behind act?

Accepted Answer

President Obama's education secretary, Arne Duncan, suggested the need for a set of common standards across all 50 states as a way to address the problem of state-dependent standards in the No Child Left Behind act. This would ensure a more consistent and fair approach to education and assessment across the country.

Question 11

Student achievement tends to be lower when

Accepted Answer

Overcrowding can lead to a lack of resources and attention for individual students, which can negatively impact their achievement. Choices B, C, and D have no clear correlation with lower student achievement.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that as school size increases, academic achievement tends to decrease. This may be due to factors such as less individual attention from teachers, a less personalized learning experience, and increased competition among students. However, the relationship between class size and academic achievement is more complex and can vary depending on factors such as the age of the students and the subject being taught. In general, smaller class sizes tend to be associated with better academic outcomes, but this is not always the case.

Question 13

Only one-sixth of students at large, inner-city schools are judged proficient in science. What is the significance of this statistic?

Accepted Answer

The statistic highlights a potential problem in preparing students for future careers that may require science and technology skills. As the job market evolves, science proficiency could become even more important.

Question 14

Based on what you have read about high-performing charter schools, what qualities from these schools would it make sense to encourage in other schools?

Accepted Answer

High-performing charter schools have a focus on character development as well as academic performance, which is an important aspect for all schools to encourage. This can lead to well-rounded students who not only excel academically but also possess strong values and social skills. The other options, such as allowing students to design their own courses of study or including a wider range of ages in each classroom, may not be practical or beneficial for all schools. The focus on measurable qualities, such as vocabulary comprehension and arithmetic calculations, is important but should not be the sole focus of education.

Question 15

Inner-city schools in American continue to have tremendous problems. Approximately ________ of the high schools in the United States produce ________ of the country's dropouts.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 10% of the high schools in the United States, often referred to as "dropout factories," are responsible for producing about 50% of the country's dropouts. This statistic highlights the concentration of dropout issues in a relatively small number of schools, many of which are located in inner-city areas facing significant challenges.

Question 16

According to research, the ideal size of a school for adolescents is between

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that a school size of 600 to 900 students is ideal for adolescents as it balances the benefits of a larger school, such as diverse course offerings and extracurricular activities, with the personalized attention and community feel of a smaller school.

Question 17

Samantha attends a public school that has a great deal of freedom to set its own curriculum. This type of school is referred to as a

Accepted Answer

Charter schools are public schools that have more freedom to set their own curriculum and operate independently from the traditional public school system. Private schools and parochial schools are not public schools and are not under the jurisdiction of the local school district.

Question 18

Which of these is a realistic concern with regard to requiring all high school seniors to pass a graduation test in order to earn a diploma?

Accepted Answer

The financial implications of failing students could lead states to lower the passing requirements for such exams to avoid the costs associated with students not graduating. This is a realistic concern as it addresses the potential for educational standards to be compromised due to economic pressures.

Question 19

Mrs. Denny wants to provide the best educational opportunities for all of the students in her high school. As school principal, which of these actions should she take?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mrs. Denny wants to provide the best...

Question 20

According to research, which of the following is a benefit that many small schools offer?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that small schools typically offer a higher proportion of students taking part in extracurricular activities.

Quiz 6: Schools