Chapter 6: Choosing a School
CHAPTER SIX
CHOOSING A SCHOOL
How Do Schools Function?
* 1.
a(n):
a. social system.
b. democratic institution.
c. autocratic institution.
d. socioeconomic institution.
* 2. Of the following, which is a social system?
a. A city government
b. A library building
c. A school building
d. Teachers in a school
* 3. From the perspective of meeting learning goals for students, which of the following is the most accurate
definition of schools?
a. Physical structures that house students during learning experiences
b. Organizations composed of teachers, students, administrators, and support personnel
c. Formal and informal curri
d.
* 4. Which of the following make up the personnel of a school?
1. Administrators
2. Parents
3. Teachers.
4. Support staff
a. 1, 2, 3, 4 b. 1, 3, 4 c. 1, 2, 3 d. 1, 3
* 5. Which of the following are considered by experts to be goals of schools?
1. To help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to function in our culture
2. To guide students to become productive members of society
3. To prepare students for the world of work
4. To help students develop as happy, healthy people
a. 1, 2, 3, 4 b. 1, 2, 3 c. 1, 2 d. 1, 3, 4
* 6. The person given the ultimate responsibility for a
a. area content supervisor.
b. district superintendent.
c. vice principal.
d. principal.
* 7. Of the following, which group most strongly influences the quality of a school?
a. Administrators
b. Teachers
c. School advisory councils
d. School boards
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
* 8. Support staff best describes which of the following?
a. Media center specialist
b. Assistant principal
c. Vice principal
d. Guidance counselor
* 9. Individual buildings on the perimeter of school campuses that provide additional classroom space are
commonly called:
a. support spaces.
b. temporaries.
c. laboratories.
d. extracurricular housing.
* 10. ng best describes your duties?
1. Teach your math classes as effectively as possible
2. Monitor students as they move through hallways
3. Contribute to the governance of the school
4. Attend nonacademic events such as assemblies and pep rallies
a. 1 b. 1, 2 c. 1, 2, 3 d. 1, 2, 4
* 11. -grade teacher. Which of the following best describes your duties?
1. Teach your students as effectively as possible
2. Escort your students from your room to places such as the cafeteria or media center, and back
3. Supervise your students on the playground
4. Participate in school oversight
a. 1 b. 1, 2 c. 1, 2, 3 d. 1, 2, 3, 4
* 12.
a.
b. s implementation process.
c.
d.
* 13.
grades 6, 7, and 8) are most commonly based on:
a. the backgrounds of teachers and their teaching skills.
b. the developmental characteristics of students and economics (such as the cost of schools).
c. the number of available administrators and the number of available teachers.
d. the qualifications of administrators and the qualifications of teachers.
* 14. Changes in the way students think and relate to their peers, caused by maturation and experience, are best
described as:
a. critical thinking.
b. development.
c. perspective taking.
d. curriculum organization.
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
Use the following information for items 15 and 16.
Damien Williams works at Oceanside Middle school in a suburb of a medium-sized eastern city. His
responsibilities include scheduling, collecting student records such as grades from teachers, keeping master records
for the school, and maintaining communication with district-level administrators and parents.
Juanita Alvarez also works at Oceanside Middle School. Her duties at the school include scheduling and
coordinating the statewide assessment tests that all the students are required to take, and providing a variety of
information about course offerings and future options for students.
** 15. Based on the way schools are typically organized, of the following, Damien is most likely to be:
a. a department head in the school (such as the head of the social studies department).
b. the school principal.
c. a vice principal in the school.
d. a guidance counselor at the school.
** 16. Based on the way schools are typically organized, of the following, Juanita is most likely to be:
a. the school principal.
b. a vice principal at the school.
c. an assistant principal at the school.
d. a guidance counselor at the school.
** 17. e Middle School, and Karen Adams, one of your students comes to you
complaining of a serious headache. Of the following, which is your most acceptable course of action?
a. Offer her one or two Advil tablets, since you keep a bottle of them in your desk,
problem seems to be limited to her headache.
b. Send her to the school nurse, since teachers are forbidden from administering any form of
medication.
c. Call one of the school assistant principals and ask his or her advice, since a student may not be sent
d.
be immediately reported to a parent.
** 18. David Leech, one of your students,
talking to him, giving him detention, and calling his parents. Nothing has worked, and you need help,
. Of the following, who is the most appropriate person in the
school to contact?
a.
b. One of the school assistant principals, since student discipline is likely to be one of his or her duties.
c. Your grade-level chairperson or department head (such as the chair of the third grade in an
elementary school or the head of the English department in a middle or high school).
d. The school nurse, since a chronically disruptive student is likely to have a medical problem.
** 19. You want your students to identify subjects and verbs in sentences, so you plan to first teach the meaning
of subjects, then the meaning of verbs, followed by having students identify them in sentences. Of the
following, your thinking in this case is best described as focusing on:
a. instructional design.
b. developmental differences in students.
c. school organization.
d. curriculum organization.
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
** 20. Kelly, a fourth grader, is cooperative and able to conside
learning activities, whereas Joanne tends to be quite self-centered. These characteristics most likely reflect
differences in which of the following?
a. Academic development
b. Cognitive development
c. Social development
d. Physical development
* 21. Which of the following is the best description of looping?
a. The process of keeping a teacher with a group of students for more than a year
b. The process of covering topics with increasingly greater depth from one year to the next
c. The process of organizing curriculum so that topics build on each other
d. The process of having teachers specialize in different content areas, such as math, science, social
studies, or language arts
** 22. Ann Peterson is teaching the same group of students in the fourth grade this year as she had in the third
grade last year. This process is commonly described as:
a. looping.
b. cooperative learning.
c. peer tutoring.
d. nurturing.
Use the following information for Items 23 and 24.
Jana, a first-grade teacher, Juan, a third-grade teacher, Suzanne, a fourth-grade teacher, and Vincent, a fifth-grade
teacher, want to use cooperative learning (where students are placed in groups and are expected to work
collaboratively to meet a common goal) in their classrooms. All four are veterans, teach in the same school, and are
viewed as highly skilled professionals.
** 23. al for their ages, the teacher for whom implementing cooperative
learning is likely to be most challenging is:
a. Jana.
b. Juan.
c. Suzanne.
d. Vincent.
** 24. mplementing cooperative
learning is likely to be least challenging is:
a. Jana.
b. Juan.
c. Suzanne.
d. Vincent.
* 25. Which of the following is the most likely reason that so many elementary school classrooms are self-
contained (a single teacher being responsible for all the content areas)?
a. Self-contained classrooms make integrating the curriculum most efficient, and the curriculum is
usually integrated in elementary schools.
b. Self-contained classrooms make it easier for schools to hire teachers, since elementary teachers are
expert in all content areas.
c. Schools with self-contained classrooms are less expensive that schools organized around different
curriculum areas.
d. Self-contained classrooms best allow schools and teachers to accommodate the developmental needs
of young children.
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
* 26. –
hallways. Of the following, which is the most commonly voiced criticism of this physical organization?
a. The organization makes it difficult for students to move efficiently from one room to another.
b. The organization is dangerous, since large numbers of students are moving through hallways at the
same time.
c. The organization isolates teachers and fragments the curriculum.
d. The organization makes it difficult for administrators to communicate with individual teachers in
case of emergency.
* 27. Which of the following statements best describes the implications of the physical organization of schools
(the fact that schools are organized into individual classrooms that open onto long hallways) for you as a
teacher?
a. When y
day long every day, for example.
b. In cases of emerg
get help for students as quickly as possible.
c. ent movement
of students from one part of the school building to another.
d.
such as the library and computer lab.
* 28. Schools are typically organized so that early elementary students, such
schools that also include eighth graders. Of the following, the most likely reason for organizing schools in
this way is:
a. the developmental differences between first and eighth graders makes housing them in different
schools important.
b. schools built for young children (such as first graders) need to be designed with more safety and
health- er.
c. elementary schools have fundamentally different kinds of administrators than do middle and high
d. first and eighth graders were housed in separate schools in early colonial times, but research
revealed t
Essay Items
** 29. Consider the concept social system. Now, take one of two positions: a) The family is a social system, or b)
The family is not a social systems. Defend your position based on your understanding of social systems.
** 30. Schools tend to be organized into elementary schools that are kindergarten (or pre-K) through grades 5 or
6; middle or junior high schools, that include some combination of grades 6-9; and high schools, that are
grades 9 or 10 through 12. At least two reasons exist for this system of organization. Identify the reasons,
and explain your answers.
School Levels
* 31. Of the following, which is most commonly emphasized in developmental early childhood programs?
a. Careful curriculum organization and clear explanations by teachers
b. Specific sets of learning objectives together with learning activities designed to help students reach
the objectives
c. Concrete experiences for students that emphasize exploration and hands-on activities
d. Classrooms in which teachers are well prepared in content areas such as math or social studies
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
* 32. Which of the following is the best description of the Montessori Method?
a. An approach to early childhood education that emphasizes individual exploration and initiative
through learning centers
b. An approach to elementary school education that emphasizes standards and accountability in reading
and math
c. An approach to middle school education that emphasizes teacher teams and integrated curriculum
d. An alternative to the comprehensive high schools that creates schools within schools designed to
meet the needs of adolescents.
* 33. Which of the following best describes the outcomes of early intervention programs for young children?
a. The outcomes are generally insignificant beyond the early elementary school years.
b. The outcomes are significant during the elementary school years, but they tend to disappear in
middle school, high school and beyond.
c. The outcomes are significant through the middle school years but tend to disappear in high school
and beyond.
d. The outcomes are positive, significant, and long lasting in the years after formal schooling is
complete.
* 34. Which of the following is the most likely reason that some content areas, such as social studies, are
typically de-emphasized in elementary schools?
a. Expecting elementary teachers to be knowledgeable in all the content areas is unrealistic, so some,
such as social studies, are de-emphasized.
b. Some content areas, such as social studies, are viewed as unimportant for elementary students, so
-emphasized.
c. The developmental characteristics of young children prevent them from being able to learn some
content areas, such as social studies, in depth, so t -emphasized.
d. Teaching some content areas, such as social studies, is very expensive, so schools de-emphasize
these areas.
* 35. Middle schools often eliminate activities such as competitive sports. Of the following, the most likely
reason for organizing middle schools in this way is:
a. school leaders want to minimize attention to developmental differences among students.
b.
c. school leaders have difficulty hiring faculty for middle schools who are willing to perform extra
duties, such as coaching competitive sports.
d. school leaders believe that the primary focus in the middle years should be on academics, so other
aspects of schooling are de-emphasized in these schools.
* 36. Of the following, which is the best description of a comprehensive high school?
a. One that teaches as much of its content as possible at the comprehension level of understanding
b. One that is designed to meet the needs of all students
c. One that avoids tracking students into different ability areas
d. One that has a course-sharing arrangement with a local university
* 37. Which of the following are the most commonly voiced criticisms of comprehensive high schools?
1. d by unqualified teachers.
2. Students in lower-level tracks often get a substandard education.
3.
4. They lack an adequate variety of extracurricular activities.
a. 1 b. 1, 4 c. 1, 2, 3 d. 2, 3 e. 2, 3, 4
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
* 38. Which of the following best describes classes that allow students to earn college credit while still in high
school?
a. Academic classes
b. Honors classes
c. Advanced placement classes
d. Accelerated and enriched classes
* 39. Technical schools are designed to:
a. provide students with a sound basic education.
b. teach computer and other high-tech skills.
c.
d. prepare students for immediate employment after graduation.
** 40. Four teachers, Karen, a math teacher, Tony, who teaches science, Judy, an English teacher, and Alicia, who
ing ways of coordinating
topics across
a(n):
a. elementary school.
b. middle school.
c. junior high.
d. high school.
* 41. Schools that emphasize relatively small learning communities (typically 200 or fewer students) working
with the same groups of teachers in applied areas such as health and bioscience, business and finance,
architecture and construction, education and child development, and information technology best describe:
a. middle schools.
b. junior highs.
c. career academies.
d. parochial schools.
* 42. Learning environments that involve organized instructional programs in which teachers and learners,
though physically separated, are connected through technology, best describes which of the following?
a. Career academies
b. Career technical schools
c. Rural education
d. Distance education
* 43. Virtual schools are most closely related to which one of the following?
a. Distance education
b. Career academies
c. Middle-level education
d. Rural education
Essay Items
** 44. Explain why elementary schools are typically organized differently than middle, junior high, and high
schools.
** 45. Comprehensive high schools are commonly criticized for at least two reasons. Identify the reasons, and
explain your answers.
** 46. What is block scheduling, and why do its proponents argue for its effectiveness?
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
Finding a Good School
* 47. Of the following, whic
a. A school with a positive social climate
b. A school in which administrators and teachers work as a coordinated team
c. A school that is safe and orderly
d. A school in which learning for all students is maximized
* 48. Based on research, which of the following statements best describes the relationship between
socioeconomic status, learning, and school size?
a. All students, regardless of SES, learn more in small schools than in large schools.
b. High SES students learn more in large schools, but low SES students learn more in small schools.
c. All students learn more in schools that are not too large nor too small, but the reduction in learning
in very large schools is greater for high SES than for low SES students.
d. All students learn more in schools that are not too large nor too small, but the reduction in learning
in very large schools is greater for low SES than for high SES students.
* 49. Based on research, which of the following best describes the relationship between socioeconomic status,
class size, and learning? (Small classes are defined as having about 15 students, and large classes are
defined as having about 30 students.)
a. All students learn more in small classes, particularly in the lower grades and in inner-city schools.
b. Low SES students learn more in small classes, but high SES students learn more in large classes.
c. All students learn more in large classes, since the amount of interaction between the students is
likely to be greater in large classes.
d. Low SES students learn more in small elementary school classes, but less in small high school
classes; high SES students learn more in large classes at all levels.
* 50. Which of the following are considered to be actions taken by effective school principals?
1. Communicating the school mission to you and your colleagues
2. Demonstrating instructional leadership and serving as a resource for parents and students
3. Emphasizing extracurricular activitie
4. Creating a teaching environment that allows you to maximize your instructional time
a. 1, 2, 3, 4 b. 2, 3, 4 c. 1, 4 d. 1, 2, 4
* 51. Of the following, which best describes the role of extracurricular activities in effective schools?
a. Extracurricular activities are essential in effective schools, and as much emphasis is placed on them
as is placed on academics.
b. Extracurricular activities are important in effe cedence over
learning.
c. Extracurricular activities are important for low SES students in effective schools, but they are not
important for high SES students in effective schools.
d. Extracurricular activities are not considered to be important in effective schools.
* 52.
describes which of the following?
a. Highly effective teaching
b. High teacher professionalism
c. High collective efficacy
d. Positive teacher characteristics
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
Use the following information in answering Items 53-56.
Gilchrist Middle School is strongly committed to academics. Clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities
are important in the school, but classes are never canceled for extracurricular activities.
Most of the teachers at Gilchrist believe that they can promote learning for all students regardless of their
backgrounds, and they take personal responsibility for ensuring that learning takes place. The principal of the school
has involved the teachers in a great deal of professional development designed to help them develop their
questioning skills.
Most of the teachers at Gilchrist give students a quiz at least once a week. The teachers then go over the
quizzes with the students and carefully discuss frequently missed questions.
Ridgeview Middle School is across town from Gilchrist and has a student population of similar SES to
believes that too much emphasis on academics for middle
school children can impair their overall development. Consistent with this belief they strongly emphasize the social
aspects of development, involving students in discussion groups that examine a wide range of topics.
–
classrooms where the students carefully listen while they clearly
The teachers at Ridgeview de-emphasize testing, because of the potential damage it can have on the way
students feel about themselves.
** 53. research, which of the
following statements is most accurate?
a.
can get all students to learn.
b. Gilchrist, because the teachers at Ridgeview
emphasize student self-esteem.
c.
provided professional development opportunities for the teachers.
d.
too much emphasis on testing.
** 54. Based on research examining the collective efficacy of schools, which of the following statements is most
accurate?
a. High SES students will achieve higher than low SES students at both schools, but the achievement
gap between high and low SES students will be greater at Gilchrist than at Ridgeview.
b. High SES students will achieve higher than low SES students at both schools, but the achievement
gap between high and low SES students will be greater at Ridgeview than at Gilchrist.
c. High and low SES students will achieve at approximately the same levels at Ridgeview, but high
SES students will achieve more than low SES students at Gilchrist.
d. High and low SES students will achieve at approximately the same levels at Gilchrist, but high SES
students will achieve more than low SES students at Ridgeview.
** 55. Consider the quality of instruction at the two schools. Based on effective schools research, which of the
following statements is most accurate?
a. The instruction at Gilchrist is more effective than the instruction at Ridgeview, because the Gilchrist
teachers are higher in personal teaching efficacy.
b. The instruction at Ridgeview is more effective than the instruction at Gilchrist, because the
Ridgeview teachers emphasize being able to provide clear explanations to students.
c. The instruction at Ridgeview is more effective than the instruction at Gilchrist, because the teachers
more strongly emphasize student self-esteem at Ridgeview.
d. The instruction at Gilchrist is more effective than the instruction at Ridgeview, because the teachers
at Gilchrist use more questioning than do the teachers at Ridgeview.
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
** 56. Based on research examining the effectiveness of schools, which of the following statements is most valid?
a. Gilchrist is a more effective school than Ridgeview because of its academic orientation, but it less
effective because of its emphasis on testing.
b. Ridgeview is an
c. Gilchrist is an overall more effective school than Ridgeview because of its academic focus, attitude
of the teachers, and emphasis on assessment.
d. Ridgeview is an overall more effective school than Gilchrist because of its emphasis on social
development and self-esteem, and its de-emphasis on testing.
* 57. Research indicates that two factors related to school organization have a particularly negative effect on
cultural minorities. These two factors are:
a. low teacher efficacy and class size.
b. class size and tracking.
c. low teacher efficacy and tracking.
d. ineffective instruction and large classes.
* 58. Tracking is a common practice in comprehensive high schools. Of the following, which statement most
accurately describes the relationship between tracking and cultural minorities?
a. Tracking allows cultural minorities to achieve at levels consistent with their background and
abilities.
b. A disproportionate number of cultural minorities tend to be placed in high-level tracks where the
instruction is too abstract for their background and abilities.
c. Tracking is effective for cultural minorities, because it allows teachers to focus on the individual
needs of students.
d. A disproportionate number of cultural minorities tend to be placed in low-level tracks where
instruction is often less effective than instruction in high-level tracks.
Essay Items
** 59. Describe the concept personal teaching efficacy. Explain how it relates to the concept high-collective-
efficacy school. Explain why both concepts are important.
** 60. Explain how high- and low-collective-efficacy schools differ in both general student achievement and
achievement differences between high and low SES students.
** 61. Identify the characteristics of an effective school, and explain why they are important.
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
CHAPTER SIX ANSWERS
How Do Schools Function?
School Levels
Chapter 6: Choosing a School
Finding a Good School?