Deck 3: Who Are Todays Students in a Diverse Society

Question 1

Which student group is most likely underrepresented because of current gifted identification practices?

A) Girls
B) Asian students
C) White males
D) Economically disadvantaged minority students

Answer 1

D

Question 2

If cultural pluralism were part of a U.S. school, how would that affect a group of immigrant students from Portugal?

A) They would mingle together during school, but teachers would encourage them to become Americanized and make U.S. friends.
B) The school they attended would hold a "Portugal" month, featuring banners and posters of Portugal in the hallways.
C) The teachers would treat the Portuguese students warmly and would make sure that the U.S. students treated the Portuguese students nicely, too.
D) The Portuguese students would be encouraged to treasure their culture, and teachers would provide ways for the U. S. students to learn about life in Portugal.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The United States is undergoing some significant population changes. As of the year 2015, minority students in the nation are projected to make up what percentage of the school-age population?

A) 49 percent
B) 13 percent
C) 25 percent
D) 43 percent

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Why have gifted and talented programs met with resistance from many Americans?

A) Having a gifted and talented program, to some, implies a superiority or elitism disliked by many Americans.
B) Too many children have been identified as "gifted" or "talented," so the phrase has lost its currency.
C) The programs have not had any discernible effect on the students.
D) Because of their structure, gifted and talented programs disrupt the running of the school.

Question 5

Critics of multiculturalism contend that if multicultural education were accepted uncritically, it could

A) result in the failure to transmit the essential information about shared culture.
B) blur the contributions of each separate culture.
C) cause children to forget their individual cultural heritage.
D) offset the effect of the "melting pot" approach.

Question 6

In public schools that embraced multiculturalism, which of the following would be evidenced?

A) Posters of American Revolutionary heroes would be displayed throughout the school.
B) Class discussions would debate the worth of the value systems of other cultures.
C) In December, decorations denoting any celebration would not be allowed.
D) Selections for literature classes would represent a broad collection of authors.

Question 7

Mr. and Mrs. Wells are meeting with their daughter's teacher to discuss her individualized education plan (IEP) for the next school year. Their daughter, Donna, has a learning disability that affects her reading skills. When Mr. and Mrs. Wells review Donna's IEP, they should expect to find

A) information on how Donna compares to the rest of the students in the class.
B) a complete list of curricular materials that will be used with Donna.
C) the services that will be provided by the school for Donna during the upcoming year and an assessment plan.
D) the maximum potential level that Donna will achieve as an adult.

Question 8

The Allen Elementary School is in the midst of revising its curricula. Some community members are asking that the school pay more attention to cultural pluralism. Which of the following might the residents like to see in the curriculum?

A) More attention given to the contributions of nonwhite, non-Europeans to the development of the United States
B) A two-pronged curriculum with two social studies texts, one written from an Anglocentric perspective and one from an African American perspective
C) New emphasis on anthropology as part of the social studies curriculum
D) Greater focus on classical literature

Question 9

Which of the following is the most commonly used criterion for identifying gifted students?

A) Academic record
B) Academic record
C) Group intelligence test scores
D) Standardized achievement test scores

Question 10

Explain what the term least restrictive environment means. Give an example.

Question 11

According to William Glasser's"Choice Theory," why would a person feel discontented or unsatisfied with his or her life?

A) He or she lacks the power to control people and events in his or her life.
B) He or she has unmet basic needs.
C) He or she does not yet know how to attain personal empowerment.
D) He or she has unmet basic needs and does not have the capacity to attain personal empowerment.

Question 12

Which types of intelligence have traditionally been rewarded in schools? Explain how Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences would affect public schools.

Question 13

You are likely to have gay or lesbian students in your classes, or perhaps students with gay or lesbian parents.  What can you do to make your school/classroom less of a hostile environment for such students?

Question 14

Which of the following would fit into the newer definition of giftedness?

A) A ten-year-old who can add a series of three-digit numbers in her head
B) A twelve-year-old who can hit a three-point shot in basketball 95 percent of the time
C) An eight-year-old who can read at a tenth-grade level
D) All of these would be considered gifted.

Question 15

What is the purpose of multiculturalism in schools?

A) To help assimilate students' cultures into the American "melting pot"
B) To reduce prejudice, foster tolerance, and improve the academic achievement of minority students
C) To support students in the maintenance and preservation of their own cultures
D) To assimilate students into the "melting pot" of the United States, as well as to foster students' respect for the existence of various cultures

Question 16

Some states have passed laws forbidding instruction in any language but English, with the basic idea of producing a society with one dominant culture. This process of incorporating an immigrant group into the mainstream culture is often referred to as

A) socializing.
B) enculturation.
C)  pluralism.
D) separatism.

Question 17

Ms. O'Neill, a sixth-grade teacher, knows that Song feels proud of herself when she can construct something. Therefore, Ms. O'Neill provides Song with many opportunities to make models, draw pictures, and create objects. After Song has completed one of her creations, Ms. O'Neill can tell that she has fulfilled her needs for power (or self-esteem) and fun. Ms. O'Neill's classroom practices are clearly influenced by

A) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
B) Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence.
C) Glasser'sChoice Theory.
D) the Comer model.

Question 18

Analyze the concept of multiculturalism by examining the major arguments in support of multiculturalism, then by examining the major arguments opposing it. What perspective do you think best serves public education? Support your position.

Question 19

How could one describe the anticipated proportional population growth trends among the various ethnic groups?

A) The populations of Asian Americans, Hispanics, and whites will rapidly increase. African Americans will experience a slight decline in growth.
B) Whites and African Americans will experience steady growth, Asian Americans will experience rapid growth, and Hispanics will experience a decline in growth.
C) Asian Americans, Hispanics, and African Americans will make significant gains in growth, whereas whites will experience a decline in growth.
D) African Americans and Hispanics will make large gains in their populations, whereas whites and Asian Americans will experience rapid declines in their growth.