Question: What Gets Taught? What Should Get Taught? OR
What Is the Purpose of Public Schools? How Has the Purpose Changed Over Time?
Requirement:
1. Each paper should include your answer to the question
2. A good paper makes a clear argument (your opinion), based on specific evidence. Your point of view must be clear. But so must the evidence on which your point of view rests; “just because I think so” is not sufficient. The argument may either be about historical interpretation of the documents or about current events but it must be clear and specific.
3. Try to pick a specific, narrow topic that interests you (e.g. the shortage of bilingual teachers, the treatment of Native American students at the turn of the century, LGBTQ curriculum, etc.). Do not attempt to answer the question in general, expansive terms. And do not simply reproduce the readings or class discussions.
4. Each paper must include
a). A specific citation from at least one primary source among those assigned for the unit—that is from a historical document in Fraser (2019) The School in the United States. Using more than one source or making comparisons among primary sources is strongly encouraged. When citing Fraser (2019) be sure to cite the original source – e.g. “Mann in Fraser (2019), p.XX).
b). A specific citation from at least one other source, besides those in Fraser (2019), The School in the United States, either assigned in one of the asynchronous classes or that you find elsewhere. You are strongly encouraged to use multiple original sources.
5. All written assignments should be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font (preferably Times New Roman, Calibri or Ariel), and formatted according to the APA Manual, 7th Edition. In addition, select language for your writing and speaking that communicates clearly. Informal language, humor, and jargon are not appropriate forms of communication for written assignments. Remember that both the content and the quality of your writing will be assessed. Written assignments should show: (a) Understanding and use of relevant readings, (b) Scholarly use and citation of theoretical and methodological literature, (c) Critical engagement with the idea presented, (d) Clear organization and structure and (e) Fluent and accurate writing.
