Course #
39330
Day(s)
W
Time(s)
6:00 PM - 8:50 PM
Term
Spring 2018
Syllabus
Syllabus

Course Description:

Overview:

This course examines the contemporary issues of school reform and the various and competing theories driving change within the Chicago Public Schools, and beyond.  Students will gain a breadth of theoretical perspectives that will used to understand and debate the real-time events that are most likely to unfold during the term.

Topics:

  1.     Purpose:  What is the purpose of public education?
  2.     Theories of Reform:  What are the various theories driving policy and practice?
  3.     International Standards and Benchmarking: What do students need to know and be able to do to succeed in the 21st century?  What is good enough?
  4.     Assessment:  How do we know what students know?
  5.     Financing Public Education:  What is adequate funding to deliver on the promise of public education for all students?
  6.     Equity and Excellence:  How do we reconcile or optimize both?
  7.     Teaching and Learning:  What does good instruction look like, and how do we prepare teachers?
  8.     Models of Change:  How do we improve public schools?
  9.     Organizing for Change: What is the purpose of the school district and how do we organize for change?
  10.     Leadership:  What does it take to improve schools, improve school systems?
  11.      Philanthropy:  Can philanthropy make a difference?