Chapter 6 Test Questions
Multiple Choice
1. The gulf between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds in a school district is often
exemplified by all of the following, EXCEPT
a. the availability of federal grants for special programs.
b. the percentage of students taking advanced placement courses.
c. the percentage of students with special education modifications.
d. the placement of more experienced, fully-qualified teachers in a school.
2. One’s philosophical and political perspectives determine how one views the roles of schools. In the
United States, all of the following are considered viable goals for schools by some individuals
EXCEPT
a. schools should support democratic equality.
b. schools should support social efficiency.
c. schools should support social mobility.
d. schools should support finding one’s natural place in society.
3. Saying the Pledge of Allegiance in class is an example of which purpose of school?
a. cultural transmission
b. academic competence
c. citizenship
d. nationalism
4. Civics and government courses generally focus on encouraging
a. connections with civic and religious groups.
b. the structure of the U.S. political system and its heritage.
c. a feeling of trust in political figures.
d. the desire to give, assist others through volunteering.
5. The most effective way to engage students in the democratic process is to
a. model civic behavior through a meaningful student government.
b. provide a single, comprehensive civics course that covers all aspects of democratic government.
c. invite the mayor, councilors, state, and federal representatives to a “Democracy Expo.”
d. encourage students to work on political campaigns at election time.
6. The biggest problem with preparing students for a specific trade in a vocational program is
a. employers would rather have students with strong generic skills.
b. it is a financial burden on the school system that employers ought to bear.
c. in today’s world the specific skills will be obsolete within a few years.
d. employers are in the best position to teach skills they require.
7. Low levels of achievement on international standardized tests lead to all of the following reactions in
the United States EXCEPT
a. there should be an increased concentration on the “basics.”
b. there should be a reduction in the time spent on life-skills.
c. the school day should be lengthened to allow more time for essential studies.
d. the funding provided for education needs to be increased greatly to improve instruction.
8. Nelson McKelvie is a fourth grade teacher who wants to promote positive interaction among the
diverse students in his class. He knows that one of the most effective ways to do so would be to
a. have them form self-selected groups to study and complete assignments.
b. form cooperative learning groups that he carefully selects.
c. arrange for a class Scrabble competition.
d. put on a class play at a school-wide assembly.
9. To eliminate confusion about the common culture of the United States among students newly arrived
from a different background, the school must carefully
a. align the formal and hidden curricula to reinforce national values and rules.
b. immerse the newcomers in the common culture as soon as they enroll.
c. provide a crash course on what it means to live in the United States.
d. encourage students to retain their native culture rather than learning the common culture too
quickly.
10. Transmission of culture is considered to be a role of the school system of any nation. However, there
are some portions of society in the United States today who object to transmission of many of the
aspects of culture for one reason or another. All of the following are objected to by a segment of the
population, EXCEPT
a. the promotion of a multicultural curriculum.
b. discussion of society’s values.
c. the promotion of our democratic form of government.
d. emphasis on individualism and competition.
11. Culture can best be described as possessing aspects of all of the following, EXCEPT
a. shared.
b. constant.
c. dynamic.
d. learned.
12. Blerina is a recent immigrant from Albania. Ms. Carstairs has been asking her some questions about
her family. The information file she has received indicates that Blerina has a sister and so Ms.
Carstairs is surprised when Blerina shakes her head from side to side in answer to the question, Do
you have any sisters or brothers? Later Ms. Carstairs discovers that side–to-side head shaking in
Albania means, Yes, while up and-down head shaking means, No – exactly the opposite of what she
understands them to mean. This type of confusion is a result of a difference in
a. cultural verbal cues.
b. cultural nonverbal cues.
c. limited English proficiencies.
d. communication blocks.
13. A teacher may do all of the following to help prevent miscommunications based on cultural cues
EXCEPT
a. recognize that these miscommunications are based on cultural differences.
b. teach the communication patterns of the common culture.
c. teach students when to use common communication patterns.
d. insist that students stop using their own cultural cues.
14. Cajun culture includes the use of French language and phrases that have continued to be spoken by
the original people who moved as Acadians from Nova Scotia to Louisiana after the fall of New
France. Because of the nature of culture and how it is maintained and transmitted, which of the
following best describes modern Cajun culture and its relationship to culture in France and Canada?
a. Cajun and Parisian language and culture are so alike they are virtually interchangeable.
b. Cajun and Acadian cultures in Canada are interchangeable because of origins but differ from that
of France.
c. Cajun culture today has no apparent connection to its roots in France and Canada.
d. All three cultures are distinct because they are each dynamic and have evolved in different
directions.
15. The Common Culture of the United States is derived from that of
a. white, middle-class Catholics from Western Europe.
b. white, middle-class Protestants from Western Europe.
c. black, middle-class Protestants from Africa.
d. middle-class Hispanics from Mexico and Central America.
16. The Common Culture has been defined historically by
a. a consensus of all residents of the area.
b. legislation and regulations of governments.
c. those in power in the area.
d. decisions of courts of law.
17. The Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s and 1970s are examples that illustrate that in the United
States
a. there has long been a consensus on what the common culture should look like.
b. that those in power will not voluntarily share it with those who have different values.
c. that the majority has the right to set the pattern for everyone in society.
d. that beliefs, attitudes, and values are universally held.
18. Helga Brenders knows that she can learn more about the cultural identities of her students in all of
the following ways, EXCEPT
a. volunteering to sponsor the chess team at the school.
b. taking a course in ethnic studies.
c. participating in a cultural fair sponsored by an ethnic club.
d. organizing a multicultural club at her school.
19. A school with a pluralistic approach will
a. emphasize the common culture’s heritage to help foster a feeling of belonging.
b. build on similarities and minimize differences among students.
c. value cultural differences and integrate them into the curriculum.
d. encourage children to concentrate on learning about and celebrate their individual heritages.
20. The Pleasant Valley School District is planning to build a third high school. Many of the students
from the two existing schools will have to move to the new school. The district has established a
committee to help the student body of the new Stony Creek High School to develop a sense of
belonging and community. They know that all of the following are signs and emblems that will build
a school culture, EXCEPT
a. a school song.
b. colors for team uniforms.
c. cheers.
d. assimilation.
21. Which of the following is an example of a school tradition?
a. emphasis on individual needs.
b. high school marching band.
c. community bands.
d. Carnegie units.
22. You are acting as a consultant to a group of parents who wish to set up a charter school for their
children. Since some of them are unsure of the requirements for such a school, you have been
asked to present an introductory session. You should include all the following as requirements,
EXCEPT
a. the group must find a state agency or local school board that will agree to sponsor the school.
b. the group must agree to a contract that describes how the school will operate in exchange for
public funds.
c. the group must agree that it will be accountable for student learning.
d. the group must agree to meet all district and state regulations.
23. Which of the following would object the most strongly to a proposal to institute a voucher system that
would include access to private and religious schools?
a. conservative politicians.
b. teacher unions.
c. ethnic minorities.
d. the state Department of education.
24. Katrina is a student at a Montessori School. She began school at age two and a half and will soon
be turning seven. Which of the following statements describes her education so far?
a. She is proud of the straight A’s she has earned.
b. She has had the same teacher during the whole time she has been there.
c. Her days have been organized into short, Sesame-Street-type segments
d. She has not misbehaved because of the strict discipline system in place.
25. The overall poverty rate is highest among those living in
a. rural areas.
b. outer suburbs.
c. inner suburbs.
d. cities.
26. Increasing numbers of urban and suburban dwellers are re-establishing themselves in rural
communities from which they commute to employment in cities. Which of the following tends to be
true about the values of the newcomers when compared to the values of the natives of the rural
communities?
a. They have similar values.
b. They are more conservative.
c. They have different expectations of schools.
d. They are content to accept what is in place.
27. A higher level of achievement on tests and a higher percentage of students attending college is
found in
a. rural areas.
b. suburbs.
c. cities.
d. inner cities.
28. Those living in large urban areas have all of the following advantages, EXCEPT
a. unusually rich resources, such as museums, libraries, and theaters.
b. an extremely diverse population.
c. a wide range of affordable housing.
d. a variety of magnet schools serving different interest.
29. The knowledge and ideas required to maintain or gain status and power in society is
a. cultural capital.
b. socioeconomic status.
c. diversity.
d. multiculturalism.
30. Parents who are in the upper middle class more frequently tend to do all of the following, EXCEPT
a. volunteer to help in school breakfast programs.
b. talk with their children’s teachers.
c. intervene so that their children have the best teachers.
d. encourage their children to complete school work.
31. The mayors of cities, such as Washington D.C. and New York City, have taken control of the
management of the public school systems with the stated aim of
a. reducing taxes and budgets.
b. reforming schools and improving student learning.
c. improving the curriculum.
d. ensuring that children are treated more equitably.
32. Research on effective schools shows that they possess all of the following characteristics, EXCEPT
a. they have strong ties to teacher unions.
b. they are standards–based.
c. they use performance-based assessments.
d. they encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.
33. The most successful middle schools include all of the following EXCEPT
a. emphasis on standardized testing.
b. developmentally responsive programs.
c. culture of collaboration.
d. interdisciplinary team teaching.
34. An educational practice in which teachers remain with the same students for two to three grades is
a. looping.
b. special education.
c. cooperative learning.
d. collaboration.
35. Specialized teachers who work in a regular classroom with students who have special needs related
to reading, mathematics, English, or a disability are
a. middle school teachers.
b. administrators.
c. resource teachers.
d. curriculum specialists.
Chapter 6 Test Questions
Short Answer
1. Every school has a hidden curriculum. In many schools this hidden curriculum can lead to denigration
of minority cultures. Develop a scenario involving faculty, students, or both which illustrates how the
dominant culture negatively affects other cultures. (Learning Outcome 6.1)
2. This chapter in your textbook discusses five purposes of schools. Which of the five do you feel is the
most valid to apply to the education of children? Justify your choice. (Learning Outcome 6.1)
3. A number of philanthropists around the country have made large donations to foundations established
for the purpose of providing scholarships so that students can attend non-public schools. Write a
letter to the editor of the local newspaper expressing your views on this trend and assessing the
impact that such a program could have on the public school system. (Learning Outcome 6.3)
4. You are the Computer Consultant for North Bend School District. A number of your colleagues have
suggested that a virtual school should be set up for students living in the district. However, there are
others who are very much against the idea. You have been asked to prepare a report outlining the
advantages and disadvantages of virtual schools for students in K-12. Prepare the report in which
you define and describe a virtual school and clearly outline their pros and cons. The conclusion of
your report should include a recommendation supported by at least three reasons as to whether or
not to go ahead with the program. (Learning Outcome 6.3)
5. The population of the United States is among one of the most fluid in the world. Career opportunities
cause individuals and families to move from one part of the country to another on a regular basis.
Families who have had stable lives in a particular region for generations are forced to relocate when
factories close. People move from rural areas to cities and vice versa. Some migrate from the north
to the south, the east to the west, and so on. Many others immigrate from all over the world and
change the ethnic and cultural makeup of communities everywhere. (Learning Outcome 6.5)
Choose two communities in the country – one that is on the decline and another that is on the
upswing, and complete the following activities:
a) Describe the changes in the school populations in each area.
b) List three challenges for the school systems in each area.
c) Choose any two of the challenges you have listed for the schools in decline and explain the
impact on the teachers in those schools.
d) Choose any two of the challenges you have listed for the schools on the upswing and explain
the impact on the teachers in those schools.
Chapter 6 Answer Key
Chapter 6 Answer Key
Short Answer
