QUESTION 1. Summarize the liberal/progressive analysis of the causes of poverty. What are the strengths and the weaknesses of this analysis? Given the financial resources of the United States, why does poverty continue to be an issue? On what ethical grounds do liberals call for maintaining and even increasing support for the poor?

QUESTION 2. Define "high-stakes testing" and analyze the problems with using it to assess the performance of schools for funding purposes. Does high-stakes testing contribute to, or detract from, the development of the skills and attitudes for citizenship in a democratic society? Explain.

QUESTION 3. Some say that with the election of the first African-American president, the United States has gotten over its race issues. Thus, there is no need for continued enforcement of the race laws or programs such as affirmative action. Do you agree with this view of racial inequality in America? Why or why not?