Question 1

Which Texas leader famously said, "It is admitted by all, that [a] cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy. . . "?

Accepted Answer

The quote is attributed to Mirabeau B. Lamar, who served as the second President of the Republic of Texas from 1838 to 1841.

Question 2

The federal government agency that sought to educate former slaves during Reconstruction was:

Accepted Answer

The Freedman's Bureau, also known as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, was established in 1865 by Congress to assist newly emancipated African Americans. One of its goals was to provide education and establish schools for former slaves.

Question 3

Which Article in the Texas Constitution of 1876, the current state constitution, deals with education?

Accepted Answer

Article VII of the Texas Constitution of 1876 is dedicated to education, outlining the state's responsibility to support and maintain an efficient system of public free schools.

Question 4

During WW II, the military rejected 12 percent of recruits due to illiteracy. What was the rejection rate among Texans?

Accepted Answer

Since the question specifically asks about Texans, we can assume that the rejection rate among Texans was different than the overall average. Therefore, we cannot choose A or B since they both fall within the range of the overall rejection rate. Choice D is too high to be realistic. The only reasonable option is C since it is above the overall average but still within a plausible range.

Question 5

What leading Texan headed an education reform commission in the early-1980s?

Accepted Answer

Ross Perot headed an education reform commission in Texas during the early 1980s, which led to significant changes in the state's public education system.

Question 6

Today, the state of Texas (not local or federal funds) provides about what proportion of school funds?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Today, the state of Texas (not local...

Question 7

Texas has spent more than the national average per pupil in only one year in the last 70 years. What year was that?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Texas has spent more than the national...

Question 8

Texas teacher pay has averaged about where in regard to the national average since 1950? (1=best, 50=worst)

Accepted Answer

Texas teacher pay has consistently ranked below the national average since 1950, with an average ranking of around 29th out of 50 states.

Question 9

No Child Left Behind was the educational program of which president?

Accepted Answer

No Child Left Behind was the educational program of former President George W. Bush.

Question 10

In 2014, what percent of Texas Hispanic adults held a high school diploma?

Accepted Answer

According to the sentence, in 2014, 63 percent of Texas Hispanic adults held a high school diploma.

Question 11

All but one of these states has a smaller proportion of young Anglo students in public schools than Texas. Which state does not?

Accepted Answer

The question states that all but one state has a smaller proportion of young Anglo students in public schools than Texas. Therefore, the state that does not have a smaller proportion must have a higher proportion of young Anglo students in public schools than Texas. Based on the 2019 data from National Center for Education Statistics, the state with the highest proportion of young Anglo students in public schools is Florida with 42%, while Texas has 30%. Hawaii, New Mexico, and California all have lower percentages of young Anglo students in their public schools compared to Texas.

Question 12

Which Article of the Texas statehood Constitution of 1845 dealt with public schools and education?

Accepted Answer

Article 10 of the Texas statehood Constitution of 1845 specifically deals with public schools and education.

Question 13

The Reconstruction Era Republican governor of Texas who instituted integrated schools for black and white children was:

Accepted Answer

E.J. Davis, a Republican governor of Texas during the Reconstruction Era, advocated for integrated schools for black and white children despite facing opposition from white supremacist groups. He believed that education was essential for the success and progress of all Texans, regardless of their race.

Question 14

In 1900, Texas per pupil expenditures were what percent of the national average for per pupil expenditures?

Accepted Answer

According to the information given, Texas per pupil expenditures were 56 percent of the national average for per pupil expenditures in 1900.

Question 15

The 1918-1920 school improvement movement in Texas was called?

Accepted Answer

The 1918-1920 school improvement movement in Texas is commonly known as the Better Schools Campaign. This campaign aimed to improve the quality of education in Texas, increase funding for schools, and raise the standards for teachers. It was a significant effort in the history of Texas education and led to important reforms that are still in place today.

Question 16

The 1949 Texas legislature passed what famous set of educational reforms?

Accepted Answer

The 1949 Texas legislature passed the Gilmer-Aiken laws, a set of educational reforms that included increasing teacher salaries, consolidating small school districts, and implementing statewide curriculum standards.

Question 17

The governor of Texas who resisted desegregating public schools in the 1950s was:

Accepted Answer

Allan Shivers was governor of Texas from 1949 to 1957 and was known for resisting the desegregation of public schools, despite the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954.

Question 18

Texas public schools get their funding from the state and federal governments and from:

Accepted Answer

Texas public schools get a significant portion of their funding from local property taxes, which are collected by the school district in which the property is located. This money is then used to fund the schools in that district. Other sources of funding for public schools in Texas include state and federal government funding, grants, and donations.

Question 19

The school funding law suit of 2013-2016 was conducted before Texas District Judge:

Accepted Answer

The school funding law suit of 2013-2016 was conducted before Texas District Judge John Dietz.

Question 20

Since 1950, Texas spending per pupil has been what percent of the national average for spending per pupil?

Accepted Answer

According to the National Center of Education Statistics, Texas spending per pupil has been consistently around 84 percent of the national average for spending per pupil since 1950.

Quiz 5: Public Education in Texas