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Critical Issues in Urban Education
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 23 hours
  • Course by The University of Chicago
  • Offered by

About

Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy. We will consider three broad topics in this course: 1. Federal Strategies in School Reform: How has the federal government legislated and incented public school reform? 2. School Choice: How does school choice aim to improve schools? 3. Accountability: What is the history of accountability in American public schooling? What are the policies and practices associated with accountability? Learning Goals This course will enable participants to: 1. develop an informed historical perspective about public schooling in the United States; 2. understand the unique contextual elements of the American approach to public schooling; 3. analyze and assess divergent viewpoints about American public school history and school reform policy. Teachers may be able to receive continuing education credit for successful completion of this course. To earn continuing education credits students must purchase and earn the Course Certificate, which they can then submit to the credit-issuing agency in their state. Students should also fill out the requisite paperwork stating that the affiliated provider is the Graham School at the University of Chicago, and that average time for certificate-level course completion is 18 hours. Students outside of Illinois should contact their state’s accreditation board to determine whether this course is eligible for continuing education credit. Note that it is up to the schools or districts that employ teachers to decide whether this course meet their requirements.

Modules

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Course Overview

1 Readings

  • Welcome to the Course!

Historical Context of American Public Education

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: What are your impressions of the local control character of American public education

4 Videos

  • Public Schooling & Local Control
  • American Public School Funding
  • Concepts of American School Reform, pt. 1: The Theories Behind Reform
  • Concepts of American School Reform, pt. 2: The History of Reform

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Historical Context of American Public Education

Quiz and Explore More

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Historical Context of American Public Education

1 Readings

  • Optional Further Readings

Overview

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • NCLB: Overview

Historical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Does the federal government have a responsibility to ensure equal funding in public education?

1 Videos

  • Building Up to NCLB, 1965-2001

1 Readings

  • Glossary for NCLB Historical Lens

Summary Lens

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Part 1: Accountability and Choice
  • Part 2: Flexibility and Literacy

1 Readings

  • Glossary for NCLB Summary Lens

Analytic Lens

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Would you vote for NCLB?

2 Videos

  • Part 1: The Aftermath of NCLB
  • Part 2: Arguments For and Against NCLB

1 Readings

  • Glossary for NCLB Analytical Lens

Quiz and Explore More

    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • No Child Left Behind

2 Readings

  • Optional Further Readings
  • MOOC survey

Overview: Common Core

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Overview: Common Core State Standards

1 Readings

  • Glossary for CCSS Overview

Historical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Does the Common Core State Standards improve urban public schooling?

1 Videos

  • American Schooling Standards, 1892-2015

1 Readings

  • Glossary for CCSS Historical Lens

Summary Lens

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Part 1: Developing the Standards
  • Part 2: Implementing the Standards

1 Readings

  • Glossary for CCSS Summary Lens

Analytical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: What key conditions must be in place for the Common Core State Standards to be successful?

1 Videos

  • Arguments For and Against CCSS

1 Readings

  • Glossary for CCSS Analytical Lens

Quiz and Explore More

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Common Core State Standards

1 Readings

  • Optional Further Readings

Interviews

    • 4 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
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2 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Should the federal goverment get involved in public education?
  • Think & Share: How should the federal government be engaged in public education?

4 Videos

  • Meet the Experts
  • NCLB Interviews
  • CCSS Interviews
  • Federal Intervention Interviews

Panel Discussion

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
Show info about module content

2 Discussions

  • Think & Share: What is the optimal starting point for school reform?
  • Think & Share: What data are most compelling to you to measure effectiveness of schools?

3 Videos

  • Panel 1, part 1: School Improvement at Scale
  • Panel 1, pt. 2: Standardized Tests
  • Panel 1, pt. 3: School-level Reform

Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Overview: School Choice

1 Readings

  • Glossary for School Choice Overview

Historical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Can school choice help to improve individual outcomes?

1 Videos

  • School Choice from 1955 Onward

1 Readings

  • Glossary for School Choice Historical Lens

Summary Lens

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Part 1: Open Enrollment and Magnet Schools
  • Part 2: Tax Credits and Homeschooling

1 Readings

  • Glossary for School Choice Summary Lens

Analytical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: What information will parents need to make informed school choices?

1 Videos

  • Arguments For and Against School Choice

Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • School Choice

Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Overview: Charter Schools

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Charter School Overview

Historical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Can charter schools improve outcomes for individual students, schools, and school systems?

1 Videos

  • The History Behind Charter Schools, 1955-2015

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Charter School Historical Lens

Summary Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • What makes charter schools different?

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Charter Schools Summary Lens

Analytical Lens

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Should states and localities promote the expansion of charter schools?

2 Videos

  • Part 1: How do charter schools perform?
  • Part 2: Arguments For and Against Charter Schools

Quiz and Explore More

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Charter Schools

1 Readings

  • Optional Further Readings: School Choice and Charter Schools

Interviews

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
Show info about module content

2 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Is education a public good or private good?
  • Think & Share: Does school choice improve educational outcomes?

3 Videos

  • School Choice: Meet the Experts
  • The School Choice Debate Interviews
  • School Choice Interviews: Charter Schools

Panel Discuson

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
Show info about module content

2 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Should charter schools be part of teachers unions?
  • Think & Share: Are charter schools successful?

3 Videos

  • Part 1: The Theory Behind School Choice
  • Part 2: Teachers and Teachers Unions in Charter Schools
  • Part 3: Charter School Results

Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Accountability: Overview

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Accountability Overview

Historical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Does accountability improve public schooling?

1 Videos

  • Accountability, 1980-2001

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Accountability Historical Lens

Summary Lens

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Part 1: Assessments, Report Cards, and Help to Low-Performing Schools
  • Part 2: Turnaround and Rewards to High-Performing Schools

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Accountability Summary Lens

Analytical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Should standardized tests be a component included in accountability systems?

1 Videos

  • How have Accountability Methods Changed over Time? 1999-2014

Quiz and Explore More

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Accountability

1 Readings

  • Optional Further Reading

Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Overview: Teacher Effectiveness and Evaluation

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Teacher Effectiveness/Evaluation Overview

Historical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: How do we improve teacher effectiveness?

1 Videos

  • How and Why has Teacher Evaluation Changed over Time?

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Teacher Effectiveness/Evaluation Historical Lens

Summary Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • How Teacher Evaluation Systems Work

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Teacher Effectiveness/Evaluation Summary Lens

Analytical Lens

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Think & Share: What are the most important aspects or characteristics for teachers to have to be effective?

1 Videos

  • The Teacher Pathway Perspective

1 Readings

  • Glossary for Teacher Effectiveness/Evaluation Analytical Lens

Quiz and Explore More

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Teacher Effectiveness/Evaluation

1 Readings

  • Optional Further Reading

Interviews

    • 4 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
Show info about module content

2 Discussions

  • Think & Share: Is accountability necessary for ensuring quality of public schools?
  • Think & Share: Which aspects of accountability have the highest likelihood of improving schools?

4 Videos

  • Meet the Experts
  • Accountability Interviews
  • High-stakes Testing Interview
  • Teacher Quality and Evaluation Interviews

Issue Response Paper

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Issue Response Paper

1 Readings

  • Writing Resources

Resources

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Complete Glossary and Optional Further Reading Lists

Auto Summary

Discover the intricate landscape of urban school reform in the United States with the "Critical Issues in Urban Education" course, designed for individuals passionate about educational development and policy. This comprehensive course delves into the heated and politicized debates surrounding educational reform, offering a deep dive into the historical context, federal strategies, school choice, and accountability measures that shape American public schooling. Led by esteemed instructors from the Graham School at the University of Chicago, this foundational-level course spans approximately 18 hours, allowing participants to gain a robust understanding of the unique elements and challenges of the American education system. Learners will develop critical analytical skills to evaluate different viewpoints and policies, ultimately fostering an informed historical perspective on public schooling in the U.S. Ideal for educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of educational reform, this course also provides an opportunity for teachers to earn continuing education credits upon successful completion. Participants must purchase the Course Certificate and complete the necessary paperwork for credit recognition. Enroll through Coursera with the Starter subscription option and embark on a journey to understand and influence the future of urban education.

Sara Ray Stoelinga
Instructor

Sara Ray Stoelinga