ELM 250 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
local control - answer- The framers of the constitution feared too strong a federal
government so no reference to education was made in the constitution. State
governments assumed the role of educational authorities and then delegated
substantial powers to local school boards. Mid-twentieth century, federal gov't
became substantially involved in education.
ex. No Child Left Behind: more federal gov't
universal education - answer- education is provided to every individual, including
girls, minorities, immigrants, and people with disabilities. Today college education is
available to all who seek it.
ex. same quality regardless of wealth or poverty
public education - answer- small and important part of the overall education system,
but nationhood of the US brought the expansion of publicly supported education
ex. tax support to religious and private schools
comprehensive education - answer- training for work and college; basic skills and
basic education on core subject areas
ex. all students receive both technical and basic education
secular education - answer- Religious study mainly in private sector; colonial time,
purpose of education was religious training for socially responsible citizens
ex. religion in public schools
changing ideas of the basics - answer- was literacy and classical, then practical skills
in the 19c, technical and scientific literacy and basics of computers in the 20c and
now preparing students to compete in a global marketplace
ex. technological literacy a new basic? Financing for technology
expanding definitions of educational access and equality - answer- equality of
educational opportunity expanded since 19c, included offering more curricular
choices from vocational training, removing legal, racial and economic
barriers...emphasis on academic achievement
ex. achievement gaps between poor/minority and white/wealthy
perennialism - answer- students acquire knowledge about the great ideas of Western
culture; humans are rational and its capacity needs to be developed; cultivation of
the intellect is the highest priority of an education worth having; highest level of
knowledge in each field should be focus of curriculum;
essentialism - answer- emphasis on intellectual and moral standards that should be
transmitted by schools; core of curriculum essential knowledge and skills; practical
schooling not influence social policy; back to basics movement; students taught
discipline, hard work, and respect for authority
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
local control - answer- The framers of the constitution feared too strong a federal
government so no reference to education was made in the constitution. State
governments assumed the role of educational authorities and then delegated
substantial powers to local school boards. Mid-twentieth century, federal gov't
became substantially involved in education.
ex. No Child Left Behind: more federal gov't
universal education - answer- education is provided to every individual, including
girls, minorities, immigrants, and people with disabilities. Today college education is
available to all who seek it.
ex. same quality regardless of wealth or poverty
public education - answer- small and important part of the overall education system,
but nationhood of the US brought the expansion of publicly supported education
ex. tax support to religious and private schools
comprehensive education - answer- training for work and college; basic skills and
basic education on core subject areas
ex. all students receive both technical and basic education
secular education - answer- Religious study mainly in private sector; colonial time,
purpose of education was religious training for socially responsible citizens
ex. religion in public schools
changing ideas of the basics - answer- was literacy and classical, then practical skills
in the 19c, technical and scientific literacy and basics of computers in the 20c and
now preparing students to compete in a global marketplace
ex. technological literacy a new basic? Financing for technology
expanding definitions of educational access and equality - answer- equality of
educational opportunity expanded since 19c, included offering more curricular
choices from vocational training, removing legal, racial and economic
barriers...emphasis on academic achievement
ex. achievement gaps between poor/minority and white/wealthy
perennialism - answer- students acquire knowledge about the great ideas of Western
culture; humans are rational and its capacity needs to be developed; cultivation of
the intellect is the highest priority of an education worth having; highest level of
knowledge in each field should be focus of curriculum;
essentialism - answer- emphasis on intellectual and moral standards that should be
transmitted by schools; core of curriculum essential knowledge and skills; practical
schooling not influence social policy; back to basics movement; students taught
discipline, hard work, and respect for authority
