Assignment

Question 1

"Treating schools as a consumer good and giving parents vouchers for the education of their children solves the problem of quality and decision-making: parents choose the schools that will best suit their children." David Tyack.

Discuss this statement and provide an argument for or against offering vouchers to parents for their children's education.

Question 2

Is education primarily a consumer good or a common good? In light of current reforms in education discuss this statement.

Question 3

Thomas Jefferson once said that the future of a democracy depends on the education of its people. Discuss current reforms of school and their implications for preparing citizens to live and work in a multicultural democracy.

Guidelines

1. Make sure you provide a clear argument with opening and concluding statements.

2. Where possible, use historical data to support and elaborate your claims.

3. Try to ensure that you clearly explain your terms and concepts.

4. In responding to each question, you are encouraged to draw from your class readings and class notes.

5. Responses must be typed, double-space minimum 1500 words.

6. Strong responses will reflect (1) evidence of analytic thinking; (2) use of appropriate historical data; (3) well-structured paper using clear and concise language.