Allyn & Bacon / Merrill

Education

Browse available resources for Foundations / Intro to Teaching:



Political Foundations for Becoming a Teacher
Forrest W. Parkay, Washington State University

ISBN-10: 0205424244
ISBN-13: 9780205424245

Publisher: Merrill
Copyright: 2006
Format: Paper; 256 pp
Published: 10/11/2005

Suggested retail price: $46.67
Buy from myPearsonStore

Political Foundations for Becoming a Teacher introduces the political trends, issues, and forces that shape public and private education in the United States.

 

Based on the successful introductory text Becoming a Teacher, this breakout text explores topics such as the effects of high-stakes testing, assessments, and standards-based curricula on the classroom, and the battle among political interest groups to influence education. Readable and practical, Political Foundations for Becoming a Teacher provides a realistic picture of how politics affects the teaching profession and suggests how future teachers can take advantage of expanding leadership roles.

  • Chapter-opening scenarios bring content to life and demonstrate its relevance to the daily lives of real teachers.
  • “Relevant Standards” features in every chapter link content to performance standards on teacher development set forth by INTASC, NCATE, PRAXIS, and NPBTS.
  • “Case for Reflection” features in every chapter present decision-making or problem solving situations to reflect upon and resolve, providing readers with an opportunity to apply new learning in specific problem-solving contexts.
  • “Technology in Teaching” features in every chapter critically explore the ever-changing uses of technology and the Internet and their impact on teaching.
  • “Teachers' Voices” features present short, first-person articles illustrating how teachers apply chapter content to actual classroom situations, providing firsthand insights into real-world challenges teachers face and practical solutions for meeting those challenges.
  •  “Reflective Application Activities”—discussion questions, journal entries, online assignments, observations and interviews, and professional portfolio development exercises—at the end of every chapter appeal to students' various interests, learning styles, and background experiences in education.  

1. POLITICS AND AMERICA’S SCHOOLS: TEACHERS “IN THE LINE OF FIRE”

                Guiding Questions

                Why Do You Need to Understand Educational Politics?

                        Five Dimensions of Educational Politics

                        Professional Standards and Educational Politics

                                    Relevant Standards–Political Involvement and Advocacy for Students

How Do Educational Politics Place Teachers “In the Line of Fire”?

            Teacher Accountability

                        TEACHERS’ VOICES: Putting Research and Theory Into Practice

                What Groups Are Competing for Control of Schools in the United States?

                                    Technology In Teaching: How Are Teachers Using the Internet To Influence Educational Policies?

                How Is Restructuring Changing How Schools are Controlled?

                        School-Based Management (SBM)

                                    Case for Reflection: Parental Involvement and Politics

                        Chicago’s Approach to SBM

                How Is the Privatization Movement Changing School Governance?

                        Charter Schools

                                    Research on Charter Schools

                        For-Profit Schools

                           Edison Schools, Inc.

                                    Educational Alternatives, Inc.

                           Teacher-Owned Schools?

Summary

                Key Terms and Concepts

                Reflective Application Activities

                                    Discussion Questions

                                    Professional Journal

                                    Online Assignments

                                    Observations and Interviews

                                    Professional Portfolio

                Appendix 1.1: Guidelines for Teachers to Think and Act Politically

 

           

2. LOCAL, STATE, REGIONAL, AND FEDERAL INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION

            Guiding Questions

How Does the Local Community Influence Schools?

                        Local School District

                        Local Educational Politics

                        Local School Board

                                    Makeup of School Boards

                                    Criticisms of School Boards

                                    Case for Reflection: Teachers vs. the Board of Education

                        Superintendent of Schools

                                    Superintendents and Local Educational Politics

                        The Role of Parents

                                    TEACHERS’ VOICES: Putting Theory and Research Into Practice

                                    Technology in Teaching: Can the Internet Enhance School-Home Communication and Parental Involvement?

            What Powers and Influence Do States Have in Governing Schools?

                        The Role the State Government in Education

                                    The State Legislature

                                    The State Courts

                                    The Governor

                        State Board of Education

                        State Department of Education

                        Chief State School Officer

            How Do Regional Education Agencies Assist Schools?

            How Does the Federal Government Influence Education?

                        Federal Initiatives

                        The Impact of Presidential Policies

                                    Advice to the President

                        U.S. Department of Education

                        Tension Among Federal, State, and Local Roles

            Summary

            Key Terms and Concepts

            Reflective Application Activities

                                    Discussion Questions

                                    Professional Journal

                                    Online Assignments

                                    Observations and Interviews

                                    Professional Portfolio

            Appendix 2.1: Typical Organizational Structure for a Medium-Size School District (26,000 pupils)

 

3. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES IN CONFLICT

            Guiding Questions

            Why Do You Need to Understand Educational Philosophy?

                What Is the Nature of Philosophy?

                What Determines Your Educational Philosophy?

                                    Relevant Standards: Developing Philosophical “Habits of Mind”

                        Beliefs about Teaching and Learning

                        Beliefs about Students

                        Beliefs about Knowledge

                        Beliefs about What Is Worth Knowing

                                    Case for Reflection: What Knowledge is of Most Worth?

                What Are the Branches of Philosophy?

                        Metaphysics

                        Epistemology

                        Axiology

                                    Ethics

                                    TEACHERS’ VOICES: Putting Theory and Research Into Practice

                                    Aesthetics

                                    Logic

                What Are Five Modern Philosophical Orientations to Teaching?

                        Perennialism

                                    Perennialist Educational Philosophers

                                    Portrait of a Perennialist Teacher

                        Essentialism

                                    Portrait of an Essentialist Teacher

                        Progressivism

                                    Technology in Teaching: How Can the Internet Enhance Your Study of and Interest in the Philosophy of Education?

                                    Progressive Strategies

                                    Portrait of a Progressive Teacher

                        Existentialism

                                    Two Existentialist Views

                                    Portrait of an Existentialist Teacher

                        Social Reconstructionism

                                    Social Reconstructionsim and Progressivsm

                                    Portrait of a Social Reconstructionist Teacher

                What Psychological Orientations Have Influenced Teaching Philosophies?

                        Humanistic Psychology

                                    The Influence of Rousseau and Pestalozzi

                                    Self-Actualization of Students

                                    Portrait of a Humanistic Teacher

                        Behaviorism

                                    Founders of Behavioristic Psychology

                                    Portrait of a Behaviorist Teacher

                        Constructivism

                                    Portrait of a Constructivist Teacher

                How Can You Develop Your Educational Philosophy?

Summary

                Key Terms and Concepts

                Reflective Application Activities

                                    Discussion Questions

                                    Professional Journal

                                    Online Assignments

                                    Observations and Interviews

                                    Professional Portfolio

                Appendix 3.1:  Philosophic Inventory

 

4. LEGAL ISSUES IN U.S. EDUCATION

            Guiding Questions

                                    Relevant Standards: Education and the Law

            Why Do You Need a Professional Code of Ethics?

                        Ethical Teaching Attitudes and Practices

                        Ethical Dilemmas in Classroom and School

                What Are Your Legal Rights as a Teacher?

                        Certification

                        Teachers’ Rights to Nondiscrimination

                        Teaching Contracts

                        Due Process in Tenure and Dismissal

                        Academic Freedom

                                    Famous Cases

                                    States’ Rights

                So Student Teachers Have the Same Rights?

                What Are Your Legal Responsibilities as a Teacher?

                                    TEACHERS’ VOICES: Putting Research and Theory Into Practice

                        Avoiding Tort Liability

                                    Negligence

                                    Educational Malpractice

                        Reporting Child Abuse

                        Observing Copyright Laws

                                    Photocopies

                                    Videotapes

                                    Computer Software

                                    E-mail and the Internet

                                    Technology in Teaching: How Does the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Apply to Distance-Learning Programs?

                                    Publishing on the Internet

                What Are the Legal Rights of Students and Parents?

                                    Case for Reflection: Parental Objection to the Curriculum

                        Freedom of Expression

                                    Censorship

                                    Dress Codes

                        Due Process in Suspension and Expulsion

                        Reasonable Search and Seizure

                        Privacy

                                    Cameras in Classrooms

                        Students’ Rights to Nondiscrimination

                What Are Some Issues in the Legal Rights of School Districts?

                        Corporal Punishment

                        Sexual Harassment

                        Religious Expression

                                    Guidelines for Religious Activities in Schools

                        Home Schooling

Summary

                Key Terms and Concepts

                Reflective Application Activities

                                    Discussion Questions

                                    Professional Journal

                                    Online Assignments

                                    Observations and Interviews

                                    Professional Portfolio

                Appendix 4.1: NEA Code of Ethics for Teachers

                Appendix 4.2: NEA Bill of Rights for Student Teachers

 

5. COMPETITION FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

            Guiding Questions

                How Are Schools Financed in the United States?

                        The Challenge of Equitable Funding

                        Sources of Funding

                                    Local Funding

                                    State Funding

                                    Federal Funding

                                    Support for Education in Other Countries

                                    TEACHERS’ VOICES: Putting Research and Theory Into Practice

                What Are Some Trends in Funding for Equity and Excellence?

                                    Case for Reflection: “Rich” and “Poor” School Districts

                        Tax Reform and Redistricting

                        Vertical Equity

                        School Choice

                        Voucher Systems

                                    Evaluation of Voucher Programs

                        Corporate-Education Partnerships

                                    Relevant Standards: Obtaining Additional Resources from the

                                                            Community

                        Community-School Partnerships

                What Is the Condition of America’s School Buildings?

                        Deteriorating School Buildings

                        Financing School Construction and Renovation

                        The Need to Improve America’s School Buildings

                                    Building Deterioration

                                    Increasing Enrollments

                                    Influence of Facilities on Learning

                                    Quest for Equitable Resources

                                    Increased Use of Technology

                        The Cost of Improving School Buildings

           

                Do All Students Have Equal Access to Technology?

                        Funding for Computers and Technical Support

                                    Commercial Computer Labs

                        Access to Technology for All Students

                                    A “Digital Divide”?

                                    Technology in Teaching: What Are the Characteristics of “High Tech” Schools?

                                    Computers and Gender

Summary

                Key Terms and Concepts

                Reflective Application Activities

                                    Discussion Questions

                                    Professional Journal

                                    Online Assignments

                                    Observations and Interviews

                                    Professional Portfolio

 

6. STANDARDS, TESTING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN AMERICA’S SCHOOLS   

            Guiding Questions

            What Role Will Standards Play in Your Classroom?

                        Perspectives on Standards

                                    TEACHERS’ VOICES: Putting Research and Theory Into Practice

                What Is Standards-Based Education (SBE)?

                        Content and Performance Standards

                        Standards Developed by Professional Associations

                        Social Issues and Changing Values

                        Aligning Curricula and Textbooks with Standards

                                    Curriculum Frameworks

                What Controversies Surround the Effort to Raise Standards?

                        The Advocates: Higher Standards Will Improve Education

                        The Opposition: Higher Standards Will Not Improve Education

                How Are Schools and Teachers Held Accountable for Student Learning?

                                    Relevant Standards: Accepting Responsibility for Students’ Learning

                                    Technology in Teaching: Computer-adaptive Online Testing Systems to Deliver Statewide Assessment Tests

                                    Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

                                    Testing for Teachers?

                How Are High-Stakes Tests Changing Education?

                        Consequences of High-Stakes Tests

                        High-Stakes Tests and Educator Accountability

                        Preparing for High-Stakes Tests

                                    Case for Reflection: Teaching to the Test

                        Legal Challenges of “High Stakes” Tests

                        Debate Over High-Stakes Tests

                What Does the Future Hold for You as a Teacher?

                        A Preferred Future for Education

Summary

                Key Terms and Concepts

                Reflective Application Activities

                                    Discussion Questions

                                    Professional Journal

                                    Online Assignments

                                    Observations and Interviews

                                    Professional Portfolio

Based on the successful introductory text Becoming a Teacher, this breakout text explores topics such as the effects of high-stakes testing, assessments, and standards-based curricula on the classroom, and the battle among political interest groups to influence education. Readable and practical, Political Foundations for Becoming a Teacher provides a realistic picture of how politics affects the teaching profession and suggests how future teachers can take advantage of expanding leadership roles.

Features:

  • Chapter-opening scenarios engage the reader and emphasize the content’s relevance to the daily lives of real teachers.
  • "Relevant Standards” features in every chapter link content to performance standards on teacher development set forth by INTASC, NCATE, PRAXIS, and NPBTS.
  • “Teachers' Voices” features present short, first-person articles illustrating how teachers apply chapter content to actual classroom situations, providing firsthand insights into real-world challenges teachers face and practical solutions for meeting those challenges.
  • “Case for Reflection” features in every chapter present decision-making or problem solving situations to reflect upon and resolve, providing readers with an opportunity to apply new learning in specific problem-solving contexts.

    Package this text with MyLabSchool–a powerful set of online tools that bring the classroom to life!

    Visit www.mylabschool.com for more information!

    • View a Sample Chapter PDF:

    For Introduction / Foundations of Education


    Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, contact your Pearson Higher Education representative for pricing and ordering information.

    Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, browse our available packages below, or contact your Pearson Higher Education representative to create your own package.



    Copyright ©2008 Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Permissions