The Differences Project
Drawing on NYS data, related readings, and observations, you will write an essay that describes the differences in demographics, economic resources, and community culture among two school districts and the differences those differences make in students lives. One of the school districts should be the one in which you are doing your observations/teaching. ( I am in District 75) you can choose any other school district in NYC, one that has plenty of data in google.
The essay should follow the following outline:
Introduction Drawing from the readings and class discussions, you explain how differences among school districts demographics and economic resources have historically affected academic outcomes. You explain that your paper will use data to determine whether those effects are still present.
Context You identify and describe the two districts you are comparing.
You explain the demographics including the total population, approximate per capita or household income, the range of economic, ethnic, and/or racial diversity, the average cost of a home, and the physical look of the town/city/village the district serves.
You identify the number of schools in the district and list its mission or vision statement.
You identify indicators of community expectations and support for the schoolse.g. budget approvals, fund-raisers, parent involvement, and school mission statement.
For the school district in which you have done your observation, include information about the physical conditions of the community in which it is located. ( I am in district 75)
Methodology:
You explain the process you used in your research, identifying the data sources and the dates and lengths of times of your observations of the school and the community.
School Outcomes:
Use the components of the NYS School Report Card (www.nysed.gov) to find the following information for the two districts:
(from School Report Card for the District)
Total Enrollment for latest year available
Average Class Size for latest year available
Demographic Factors for latest year available (including number of students with Limited English Proficiency)
Outcomes in ELA and Math Grades 4 and 8 and Secondary Math and English (totals and sub-groups), NYSELAT Testing for grades 2-4 and 9-12,
High School Graduation Rate
High School completers and types of diplomas for latest year available (Totals and by Categories)
High School Non-completers (totals and by categories) for latest year available.
Post-Secondary Plans (Totals, General and Students with Disabilities) for latest year available
DiscussionYou use your findings to compare and identify similarities and differences between the districts. Pay attention to the differences in the academic achievements of various subgroups in the district. You evaluate whether the academic outcomes of the district mirror the historic connections between demographics, resources and academic achievement alluded to in various course texts. References to course texts and ideas should be integrated into the discussion
Implications, Conclusions, and Questions This is the conclusion to your paper. Here you can discuss any or all of your responses to these kinds of questions:
What are the implications of what you have found in comparing these two districts against the historical trends?
What have you concluded about access, opportunity, and outcomes as a result of this inquiry? This can be a general conclusion or specific to these two districts.
What have you concluded about whether all children can achieve the American Dream? This can be a general conclusion or specific to these two districts.
What lingering questions do you have as a result of this inquiry?
Here is a website that tells you about my district
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/special-education/school-settings/district-75
