Entering the Conversation

As you respond to the following prompts, support your argument with references to at least three of the sources in this conversation on the American high school. For help using sources, see Chapter 4.

  1. Write an essay explaining whether you agree with Leon Botstein’s critique of the American high school (p. 254).

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Entering the Conversation: Write an essay explaining whether you agree with Leon Botstein’s critique of the American high school (p. 254).
  2. Using the texts in this conversation on the American high school, as well as your own insights into high school, identify two serious problems with the educational system, and propose recommendations for addressing them. Cite at least two sources from the conversation in your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Entering the Conversation: Using the texts in this conversation on the American high school, as well as your own insights into high school, identify two serious problems with the educational system, and propose recommendations for addressing them. Cite at least two sources from the conversation in your response.
  3. John Dewey, the father of experiential education, described the interaction of education and democracy as follows:

    Democratic society is peculiarly dependent for its maintenance upon the use in forming a course of study of criteria which are broadly human. Democracy cannot flourish where the chief influences in selecting subject matter of instruction are utilitarian ends narrowly conceived for the masses, and, for the higher education of the few, the traditions of a specialized cultivated class. The notion that the “essentials” of elementary education are the three R’s mechanically treated, is based upon ignorance of the essentials needed for realization of democratic ideals. . . . A curriculum which acknowledges the social responsibilities of education must present situations where problems are relevant to the problems of living together, and where observation and information are calculated to develop social insight and interest.

    —Democracy and Education, 1916

    Write an essay explaining the extent to which you believe that high schools today are preparing citizens to achieve Dewey’s vision. Draw on your experience and observation, and cite at least three of the readings from the conversation to develop your argument.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Entering the Conversation: John Dewey, the father of experiential education, described the interaction of education and democracy as follows: Democratic society is peculiarly dependent for its maintenance upon the use in forming a course of study of criteria which are broadly human. Democracy cannot flourish where the chief influences in selecting subject matter of instruction are utilitarian ends narrowly conceived for the masses, and, for the higher education of the few, the traditions of a specialized cultivated class. The notion that the “essentials” of elementary education are the three R’s mechanically treated, is based upon ignorance of the essentials needed for realization of democratic ideals. . . . A curriculum which acknowledges the social responsibilities of education must present situations where problems are relevant to the problems of living together, and where observation and information are calculated to develop social insight and interest. —Democracy and Education, 1916 Write an essay explaining the extent to which you believe that high schools today are preparing citizens to achieve Dewey’s vision. Draw on your experience and observation, and cite at least three of the readings from the conversation to develop your argument.
  4. Suppose you had the freedom to design a high school that you want to attend. What would be the prevailing philosophy of the school? What would be three or four key characteristics of the school that implement this philosophy? Draw on at least three of the sources from the Conversation in your discussion.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Entering the Conversation: Suppose you had the freedom to design a high school that you want to attend. What would be the prevailing philosophy of the school? What would be three or four key characteristics of the school that implement this philosophy? Draw on at least three of the sources from the Conversation in your discussion.