Questions we Can Help you to Answer

Paper Instructions:

The Equality of Educational Opportunity Study (EEOS), also known as the "Coleman Report," was commissioned by the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1966 to assess the availability of equal educational opportunities to children of different race, color, religion, and national origin.  The report found glaring inequalities in education.  

Please answer the following prompts:

Prompt 1 - What is achievement gap? 
Define the concept of education gap and explain it in your own words.

Prompt 2 - It has been over 50 years since the report was published - has the education gap increased or decreased? - support your answer by some data. Use statistics to show if the education gap has increased or decreased

Prompt  3 - Do you agree that schools perpetuate class inequalities - If yes, why? If no, why?  - Discuss the issues in education and show how these issues might either increase or decrease inequalities.  Example - how have programs such as "Head Start", "Busing", "No Child Left Behind"  have affected schools.  Have they helped or hurt the education gap. You need to use conflict theory if you want to argue that schools perpetuate inequality.  You will find information in chapter 16.  The chapter talks about programs implemented to improve education and also to reduce education inequality.  Write about these programs to argue either in support or against the prompt. 

Prompt 4 - From your own personal experience, what is the biggest challenge the education system in the US faces?  How can it be improved (what is the solution? Here you have a chance to reflect on your personal journey.  What was the greatest hurdle/ challenge you faced while attending school.  Or what did you see going wrong in your school.  Also write about some solutions