Question 1

According to John Dewey, the essence of democracy is&#10;A) voting.&#10;B) active citizen participation.&#10;C) understanding the issues of the day.&#10;D) recognizing the significance of issues.

Accepted Answer

John Dewey believed that democracy was not just about individual rights and freedoms, but also about active citizen participation in the political process. He argued that democracy requires individuals to be informed, engaged, and willing to work together to solve problems and make decisions that benefit the community as a whole. Voting, understanding issues, and recognizing their significance are all important components of democratic participation, but they are not sufficient on their own. The essence of democracy is active, collaborative citizenship.

Question 2

According to those now writing about the need for schools to &#34;teach democracy,&#34; teaching democracy includes:&#10;A) Lectures about the importance of democracy&#10;B) Creating a classroom culture of debate and mutual respect&#10;C) A new high stakes test on democracy&#10;D) Requiring students to join a political party while in school.

Accepted Answer

Creating a classroom culture of debate and mutual respect is a foundational aspect of teaching democracy. It allows students to learn how to engage in civil discourse and consider various viewpoints, which are important skills in a democratic society. Lectures about democracy may be informative, but they do not necessarily teach students how to actively participate in democracy. A high stakes test on democracy may measure knowledge, but it does not necessarily promote a culture of democracy. Requiring students to join a political party goes against the principle of freedom of choice in a democratic society.

Question 3

The journal Rethinking Schools has become an important voice in the educational community to promote the schools' role in&#10;A) improving society.&#10;B) promoting excellence.&#10;C) teaching accountability.&#10;D) reviving American competitiveness.

Accepted Answer

According to their website, Rethinking Schools "advocates the reform of elementary and secondary education, with a strong emphasis on issues of equity and social justice. We recognize that schools play a crucial role in developing democratic citizenship, as well as in creating a more just and equitable society." Therefore, their focus is on improving society through education.

Question 4

One of John Dewey's distinctive contributions to the notion of schools as essential to democracy was his insistence that&#10;A) schools needed to model the goals of a democratic society.&#10;B) students should have a role in choosing administrators.&#10;C) students should be represented on school boards.&#10;D) every high school should elect class officers.

Accepted Answer

John Dewey believed that schools should model the goals of a democratic society, such as promoting active citizenship, critical thinking, and collective decision-making. He argued that schools should prepare students to be effective participants in democracy, not just passive followers. This idea is reflected in Dewey's emphasis on experiential learning, where students engage with real-world problems and have opportunities to collaborate and make decisions as a community. Therefore, Choice A is the best answer. Choices B, C, and D do not accurately reflect Dewey's views on schools and democracy. While Dewey believed in empowering students, he did not advocate for student-led governance or decision-making in schools.

Question 5

Of the following, the most important effect of substandard black education in the segregated South was that many people&#10;A) lost some of their rights as citizens.&#10;B) remained in low-paying farm jobs.&#10;C) could not go to college.&#10;D) left the United States altogether

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the following, the most important effect...

Question 6

A group of free black citizens in Boston, Massachusetts, petitioned for an end to racial segregation in schools in&#10;A) 1800&#10;B) the 1840s&#10;C) the 1890s&#10;D) the 1920s

Accepted Answer

The most significant public effort to end racial segregation in schools began in the 1840s, when a group of free black citizens in Boston petitioned the state legislature to abolish segregation. This effort gained momentum in the following decades, leading to court cases and eventually the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954.

Question 7

Combining all of a community's children in the same schools was part of Horace Mann's vision of&#10;A) most efficiently identifying future leaders.&#10;B) segregating children by natural processes.&#10;C) unifying all classes of people.&#10;D) eliminating private schools.

Accepted Answer

Horace Mann's vision was to unify all classes of people by combining all of the community's children in the same schools. This was part of his belief that education was the key to social mobility and creating a more equal society. Mann believed that a common education would help bridge the gap between different classes and ultimately lead to a more harmonious and prosperous society.

Question 8

Thomas Jefferson's vision for education encompassed&#10;A) all children.&#10;B) free white males.&#10;C) all white children.&#10;D) all native-born children.

Accepted Answer

Jefferson's vision for education was primarily focused on providing free education to white males, as he believed they would be the future leaders and citizens of the young nation. He did not prioritize education for women, enslaved people, or people of color.

Question 9

What does the Constitution of the United States say about one's right to an education?&#10;A) It doesn't mention a right to education.&#10;B) It recognizes only basic-skills training.&#10;C) Only an eighth-grade education is guaranteed.&#10;D) It recognizes education rights but not the need for equality.

Accepted Answer

The Constitution of the United States does not specifically mention a right to education.

Question 10

Primary responsibility for providing civic knowledge to students is the job of&#10;A) parents.&#10;B) all teachers.&#10;C) social studies teachers.&#10;D) leaders of teams and clubs

Accepted Answer

All teachers, regardless of their subject area, play a role in imparting civic knowledge to students. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that includes understanding their roles and responsibilities as citizens.

Deck 12: Public Education: What Is Its Purpose in a Democratic Society