45. What arguments support the environmentalist view concerning the development of intelligence?
ANSWER: A number of research studies have attributed IQ gains to environmental changes that
led to improvement in the kinds of skills assessed in IQ tests. These findings have been
replicated in numerous international studies. Differences among groups in IQ scores
may be attributable to social class and racial discrimination.
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 11-3d The Heredity versus Environment Debate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: FOED.ORNS.17.11.03 – Identify the major reasons for low achievement among
students with low socioeconomic status.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understanding
46. What is the relationship between socioeconomic status and the potential to attend college?
ANSWER: Studies show that less than 25 percent of high-school graduates from the lowest two
socioeconomic quartiles (the lowest 50 percent of students measured in terms of family
income) actually attempt college. Over 80 percent of students from the highest
socioeconomic group attend college.
DIFFICULTY: Medium
REFERENCES: 11-1b Research on Social Class and School Success
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: FOED.ORNS.17.11.01 – Describe the relationship between social class and success in
the educational system.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understanding
47. Why might the difference between teacher and student backgrounds create a problem in classrooms with working-
class students?
ANSWER: Teachers with middle-class backgrounds may experience difficulties in understanding
and motivating their disadvantaged students. Dialect and language background may
make it difficult for middle-class or nonminority teachers to communicate effectively
with low-income minority students.
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 11-3e Obstacles in the Classroom
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: FOED.ORNS.17.11.03 – Identify the major reasons for low achievement among
students with low socioeconomic status.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analyzing
48. What are the effects of the home environment on school achievement?
ANSWER: Students’ home and family environments, because they reflect social class, influence
the probability of students’ success in the traditional school. Home environment also
promotes three sets of characteristics important to school achievement: knowledge
and understandings, cognitive and verbal skills, and values and attitudes.
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 11-3a Home Environment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: FOED.ORNS.17.11.03 – Identify the major reasons for low achievement among
students with low socioeconomic status.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understanding