Deck 12: School Reform

Question 1

Define "Response to Intervention" RTI) and briefly describe how it should be implemented.

Answer 1

Response to Intervention RTI) is a reform that identifies children at-risk and uses differentiated instruction to meet their needs. RTI uses a multi-tiered process that has from two to four tiers and progress data is maintained for each child at each tier. Generally, in the first tier all students are provided high quality differentiated instruction. Subsequent tiers identify children that are not making satisfactory progress at the lower level and increasingly intensive instruction is provided for them. The highest level usually provides targeted individualized instruction. Only when children are not making adequate progress at the highest tier are they referred for special education assessment.

Question 2

Businesses and individuals who have invested for profit in educational initiatives include which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Michael Milken.
B) William Bennett.
C) Gerald Bracey.
D) Edison Schools.
E) Coalition of Essential Schools.

Answer 2

A, B, D

Question 3

Which of the following are true about market-based school reform? Select all that apply.

A) Research has shown conclusively that charter schools are more effective than public schools.
B) The trend in public opinion is swinging against charter schools.
C) There is little evidence that for-profit schools achieve better results than public schools.
D) One of the advantages that for-profit schools have over public schools is that they often have more money available at startup to meet their needs.
E) Online PK-12 entrepreneurial efforts have yielded positive gains in academic achievement.

Answer 3

B, C, D

Question 4

Which of the following data from the 2012 Condition of Education compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics are true? Select all that apply.

A) Dropout rates in public schools for all subgroups have decreased over a 15-year period:
B) The number of children and families living below the poverty line has increased for all subgroups.
C) The percentage of 3 to 5-year-olds enrolled in full-day preprimary programs increased.
D) The achievement gap between White students and all other racial subgroups has narrowed to nearly zero percent.
E) Graduation rates have improved somewhat.

Question 5

The Education Commission of the States report indicated that the approaches it suggested will permit which of the following ideas? Select all that apply.

A) Replacing public schools with Charter schools.
B) Giving parents more choice.
C) Focusing accountability on achievement.
D) Allowing the districts to control the money for schools.
E) Weakening the role of local school boards and strengthening the state control.

Question 6

Which of the following would Diane Ravitch and Michael Fullan agree are good criteria for successful whole system reform? Select all that apply.

A) The reforms build the capacity of the staff to deliver instruction.
B) The culture of the school placed value on shared decision-making processes.
C) The central office trains all staff members in reform efforts.
D) The school leadership evaluates classrooms on a regular basis.
E) Reforms have support of the staff and are built on a theory of action.

Question 7

To answer this question, you are to assume the role of the district superintendent. The district test scores have been in the lower 25% of all districts in the state for the past 5 years, and the pressure is mounting for you to do something to turn the district around. You and the school board chair have just gotten back from the American Association of School Administrator's conference, where you learned a lot about the process of whole school reform. Assuming that the school board, the principals and the teachers' union basically agree with your ideas, create a plan for whole school reform that outlines your ideas and identifies structures that you will put into place to implement whole school reform in individual schools throughout the district.

Question 8

Select all that are true about research related to the effectiveness of higher standards.

A) A report by the Center for Education Policy CEP) found that from 2002-2008, states had large significant declines in reading and math and that the achievement gap has increased in more states than it narrowed.
B) In general, math and reading scores have improved significantly after No Child Left Behind was passed.
C) In general, math and reading scores have not improved significantly after No Child Left Behind was passed.
D) For the most part, high stakes testing has resulted in a narrowing of the curriculum.
E) For the most part, high stakes testing has resulted in a focus by teachers on critical thinking skills.

Question 9

Select all that are true about the standards-based education reform movement.

A) Because of the movement, Local Education Agencies have greater control of education than previously.
B) It uses similar rationale as market-based reform.
C) Proponents of standards-based education have focused a great deal of attention on the effects of testing on students.
D) It is essentially a political strategy to reform schools.
E) It has resulted in high-stakes testing.

Question 10

Which of the following are criteria were used to develop the Common Core State Standards for both K-12 and college- and career-readiness standards? Select all that apply.

A) Students will be prepared for both public schools and charter schools.
B) Parents are provided more choice.
C) Standards are aligned with work and college expectations.
D) Standards are research-based.
E) Standards prepare students to succeed in our global economy.

Question 11

Richard Hess, an early influential supporter of market-based reforms, blames the lack of success of these reform efforts on which of the following. Select all that apply.

A) There has not been a true market-based system allowing for ongoing opening, closing, and franchising of schools.
B) Market-based reforms have not proven to be effective in improving student achievement.
C) Choice programs have not been well funded.
D) States have placed financial restrictions on construction.
E) States allowed too much flexibility in charter schools admissions, staffing and curriculum.

Question 12

The Education Commission of the States report in 1999 entitled Governing America's Schools: Changing the Rules identified which of the following approaches for school reform? Select all that apply.

A) Allow charter schools under the control of the school district.
B) Centralize school reform efforts to insure coordinated approaches to school reform.
C) Encourage site-based management with schools having budgetary control.
D) Reform efforts should be district-wide to insure that all children receive equal opportunity.
E) Provide opportunities for parents to choose the best schools for their children.

Question 13

What is the American Legislative Exchange Council ALEC)? What is ALEC's stance on market-based reforms and what does ALEC do to advertise the success of states that support these reforms?

Question 14

Select all that are true about whole school reform.

A) Whole school reform efforts in individual schools orchestrated by district offices have not been very successful.
B) Increasing individual school autonomy with district support has a good chance of success.
C) Charter schools have provided excellent models of school reform efforts for public schools.
D) There is little research to support the conclusion that whole schools reforms work.
E) Site-based decision making has been effective when districts relinquish control to the schools in which collaborative problem solving is used.

Question 15

Describe the "Broader, Bolder Approach to Education" and give two examples of specific initiatives it recommend to help children.

Question 16

Which of the following reflects rationale of influential writers and economists for market-based school reform? Select all that apply.

A) Individuals will make a rational choice in their own economic self-interest.
B) Competition from other schools will cause all schools to improve.
C) Public schools have not worked and therefore should be abandoned.
D) Students will be offered curriculum that will be of interest to them.
E) The better teachers will gravitate toward the market-based schools that have higher performance.

Question 17

Select the individuals who have been supporters of market-based reform. Select all that apply.

A) John Maynard Keynes
B) Milton Friedman
C) John Goodlad
D) John Chubb
E) Thomas Sowell

Question 18

Describe how the following two types of market-based reforms are utilized: a) vouchers; b) tax credits or tax deductions.