Q&A Hero

Q: Catelina, a young Hispanic girl, has brown skin, thick hair, and dark eyes just like her cousins. These features reflect Catelina's _____.A.raceB.cultureC.ethnicityD.religion

Q: Which of the following is true of minority groups in the student population?A.Native Americans score higher on standardized tests than do Asian Americans.B.The percentage of Hispanic students who graduate from high school is equal to those of their white counterparts.C.Blacks are more likely to be suspended from school, even when they violate the same rules as white students.D.The percentages of children living in poverty are highest among Hispanics.

Q: Being _____ refers to a persons innate identity of being somewhere in between male and female.A.transracialB.bisexualC.homosexualD.transgender

Q: Attempts to organize Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in schools could be assisted by the _____.A.Supreme Courts ruling in Lau v. NicholsB.No Child Left Behind ActC.Federal Equal Access ActD.Supreme Courts ruling in Brown v. Board of Education

Q: In the context of Professor Andrew Hacker's parable about race, which of the following is true of his views?A.He feels that the very effort to combat racial prejudice worsens the problem by bringing attention to it.B.He believes that most racial injustices can be solved through an infusion of funding to level the playing field.C.He considers the idea of racial privilege or discrimination to have faded to a degree that it is now mostly a myth.D.He considers white privilege so commonplace that most people are no longer able to see it.

Q: Imagine you are teaching in a regular classroom, which also has a group of students with learning disabilities. As an educator, how would you approach their special teaching needs? What strategies would you adopt to enable them to learn as well as other students?

Q: List and briefly explain the principles of special education laid out in federal law, particularly in Public Law 94-142 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Describe how these five principles would impact teachers who have special needs students. Be sure to provide specific examples where appropriate.

Q: Imagine that you are a teacher. You have been informed that in the coming year you will be teaching in an "inclusion classroom." As an educator, what benefits do you see from inclusion? What concerns would you have about teaching in an inclusion class? How would you prepare yourself for teaching in an inclusion environment? Be sure to provide specific examples to support your arguments.

Q: What are some of the challenges that educators face using assistive education with students? As an educator, what sort of strategies and approaches would you adopt so that students who needed adaptive technology could get the most benefit without the disadvantages that concern critics? Be sure to include specific examples to support your analysis.

Q: According to demographic forecasting, what proportion of the school population will be from non-European ethnic groups by 2030?A.About a third of the populationB.A negligible proportionC.About half of the populationD.An overwhelming majority

Q: A growing number of researchers now do not view intelligence as a fixed and predetermined entity, but as something that can be changed by efforts. How would you define intelligence? What would be your opinion of IQ (intelligence quotient) scores as a measure of intelligence?

Q: Discuss traditional and more recent definitions of intelligence. From the perspective of an educator, why do you think these definitions matter to teachers, parents, and students? Be sure to give specific examples to support your analysis.

Q: Imagine that you are a classroom teacher. You have identified among your students four of the intelligences (you may determine which ones you would like to use). How would you plan instruction to accommodate these four intelligences? What sort of factors would you need to consider? What sort of activities would you plan? Be sure to support your analysis with specific examples.

Q: Which of Gardner's "five minds" do you believe would be most beneficial for application now to teaching curriculums in today's schools (excluding the "disciplined mind")? Which would you prioritize as least important? Explain your position, using analysis and providing specific examples to support your position.

Q: Describe how you believe educators could use Gardner's "five minds" in the classroom. What would instruction look like if teachers incorporated these "minds"? Be sure to provide specific examples to support your position.

Q: What is emotional intelligence? How can teachers promote emotional intelligence in their students?

Q: Briefly discuss the influence of cognitive, affective, and physiological factors on an individual's learning style. How can teachers use their knowledge of these factors to improve their instruction? Be sure to give specific examples to support your arguments.

Q: What are your views about the statement, "In short, more educational differences exist within the genders than between the genders"? Based on your interpretation of this sentence, what can educators do to provide effective instruction to males and females in their classes? Be sure to provide specific examples to support your interpretation and arguments.

Q: Imagine that you are a teacher in a school that the school board is considering converting to a single-sex school. Since you are a senior member of the faculty, you have been asked to discuss your position at the next school board meeting. What position on single-sex schooling would you take and why? Be sure to support your position with analysis and specific examples.

Q: What is neuroplasticity and why do teachers need to be aware of neuroplasticity when planning instruction? As a teacher, how would you take advantage of your understanding of neuroplasticity to benefit your students?

Q: Discuss the controversies that surround gifted education. Why is there opposition among policymakers to support such programs? What alternatives are left for educating gifted students in the face of such opposition? As an educator, what can you do to provide gifted students with a challenging education?

Q: One of the reasons that teachers feel uncertain about educating special needs students is that they:A.do not understand what the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires of them.B.do not always get adequate resources to work with special needs students.C.do not feel inclined to address the needs of special needs students.D.feel that special needs students should be taught by separate specially trained teachers in each school.

Q: Which of the following is true about gifted students?A.Most of them experience school as a friendly place.B.Many gifted students form separate social groups and try to isolate other studentsC.Many gifted students drop out of school, instead of thriving at school.D.About 15 percent students have been identified as academically gifted.

Q: For teachers involved in gifted education programs, one of the key tasks to accomplish is:A.promoting a sense of community that reduces student anxiety and alienation.B.making sure that items in the curriculum are covered on time.C.helping the students develop a healthy interest in sports.D.helping the students develop strong existential intelligence.

Q: Which major event led to the first shift toward humanist social attempts at better treatment and education of the disabled in America?A.The Revolutionary WarB.The Civil WarC.World War IID.The 1960s Civil Rights movement

Q: Grace Fernald, Marianne Frostig, and Heinz Werner are noted for pioneering research in the field of _____.A.gifted educationB.neuroplasticityC.learning stylesD.special education

Q: The principle of nondiscriminatory education is based on:A.historical perspectives on special education.B.procedural due process that denies a citizen a right to property interest.C.due process rights of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.D.education for All Handicapped Children Act.

Q: One of the fundamental provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures that students with disabilities should be assessed fairly, by the use of tests that are free from cultural bias and are in the students' native language, is the provision of:A.appropriate education.B.procedural due process.C.nondiscriminatory education.D.individualized education program.

Q: The principle of nondiscriminatory education:A.supports the ban on zero reject principle.B.supports the ban on tests that are culturally biased.C.supports the ban on the use of childrens native language in tests.D.supports the use of IQ tests for placing or tracking students.

Q: Which principle of special education implies that educational goals designed for a child must align with his or her learning needs?A.Zero reject principleB.Individualized education programC.Nondiscriminatory educationD.Procedural due process

Q: Least-restrictive environment refers to:A.ensuring appropriate segregation of children with disabilities in each school, and in every state.B.allowing students with disabilities to be educated by their parents at home.C.creating an atmosphere in which students with disabilities are not inappropriately segregated.D.providing students with disabilities with specially trained teachers, assistive technologies, and access to other appropriate resources.

Q: Procedural due process refers to the:A.principle that upholds the right of non-English-speaking students to select their language of instruction.B.established procedures to accommodate the needs of gifted learners in regular classrooms.C.right of children with disabilities to be assessed, placed, and taught in special and separate classrooms.D.principle that upholds the right of students with disabilities to protest a schools decisions about their education.

Q: Which of the following is true of students receiving special education?A.Whites are more likely to be classified as special needs students as compared to African Americans and Hispanics.B.Few special education students are likely to be Hispanic because special education services are not available in Spanish.C.Boys are more likely to receive special educational services as compared to girls.D.Gifted learners receive far more than their fair share of instructional resources because they often benefit the most from their status as special education students.

Q: A student who says, "I failed the test because the fire alarm went off in the middle of the test" appears to exhibit:A.an external locus of control.B.an internal locus of control.C.a diffuse locus of control.D.no specific locus of control.

Q: Which of the following conclusions is a teacher reading the work of Janet Hyde, likely to reach about the students in his class?A."I need to develop different teaching styles to meet the different learning needs of boys and girls, in my class."B."I think that, given the differences between males and females, single-sex education would be the most appropriate approach to take."C."I really need to consider what I should do to academically support my students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds."D."I really see no need to change anything that I am currently doing."

Q: Identify an accurate statement about single-sex schools.A.The advantages of single-sex schools have been proved by rigorous research.B.Ideas that support single-sex schools fit easily into traditional belief systems.C.Dividing students increases sexual distractions, but reduces discipline issues.D.Girls have a better and more refined learning style, hence should be taught separately.

Q: According to the National Association for Gifted Children, Giftedness is:A.identified by an intelligence quotient (IQ) score of 160 or higher.B.identified by an intelligence quotient (IQ) score of 140 or higher.C.based upon the presence of distinct elements of giftedness.D.based upon the presence of wisdom in an individual

Q: Jean is a student in the fifth grade. She is very aware of how she feels emotionally, and has a clear idea of her strengths and her limitations. She has a natural ability to use this knowledge to guide her behavior in the class. Considering this description, it can be concluded that Jean has:A.interpersonal intelligence.B.intrapersonal intelligence.C.existential intelligence.D.naturalist intelligence.

Q: Demonstrating strong existential intelligence indicates that a person has the ability to:A.classify different species of plants, animals, and understand bio-diversity.B.analyze and respond to the emotions and moods of others.C.form a mental model of the spatial world.D.formulate fundamental questions about life, death, and who they are.

Q: In the context of approaches to assessment, identify the accurate statement.A.The portfolio approach is a more comprehensive approach to assessment and evaluation as compared to traditional methods.B.Pencil-and-paper tests on logical ability are the best measure of newly identified areas of intelligence.C.The portfolio approach saves time by eliminating the need of student artifacts like videos, exhibits, and projects.D.Pencil-and-paper tests on math and linguistics are the most comprehensive approach to assessment and evaluation.

Q: According to Gardner, if one wants to develop students who are willing to face hard truths and value honest behavior, the stress should be on the:A.ethical mind.B.disciplined mind.C.respectful mind.D.synthesizing mind.

Q: In the context of emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) and intelligence quotient (IQ), psychologist Daniel Goleman argues that:A.IQ introduces a new gateway for measuring intelligence in adults.B.EQ may be a better predictor of life success than IQ.C.EQ taps into the head whereas IQ taps into the heart.D.an IQ score is the best standard of measuring performance.

Q: Which of the following dimensions of emotional intelligence is demonstrated by people who are popular, are good leaders, and who can make others feel comfortable and connected?A.Knowing emotionsB.Managing emotionsC.Motivating oneselfD.Handling relationships

Q: Identify an accurate statement about emotional intelligence.A.It is the regulation of emotion in a way that enhances living.B.It refers to free uninhibited emotional expression that enhances living.C.There is no correlation between regulation of emotions and test scores.D.A single emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) score can capture the entire range of abilities and skills.

Q: Describe the evolution of teacher preparation programs from colonial times to the present day. Be sure to discuss the role of Teach for America in the preparation of teachers.

Q: Discuss the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) process. What is the goal of becoming NBPTS certified? What is involved in gaining certification? What are the advantages of becoming NBPTS certified? Are there any challenges teachers face in becoming certified? Based on what you know, would you attempt NBPTS certification? Why or why not?

Q: In the text, the authors discuss both traditional and alternative methods of teacher preparation. Based on what you have learned, do you favor the traditional approaches to teacher education or do you think that the alternative programs are more effective? Be sure to support your arguments with specific examples and analysis.

Q: What are some of the "urban legends" surrounding teaching? What are the truths behind these claims? What do you think are the consequences of these legends for the teaching profession? Be sure to support your arguments with specific examples.

Q: In this chapter, the authors argue that cultural differences can influence how students from different nations perform on international tests. Discuss how cultural differences might impact performance on such tests. Be sure to provide specific examples to support your arguments.

Q: Discuss the reasons why educators feel there is an upheaval about failing schools and the need for radical school reform. To what extent do these reasons reflect the actual performance U.S. students, teachers, and schools? Be sure to support your answers with specific analysis and examples.

Q: What are the steps that you can take at this point in your teacher education program to begin preparing for a teaching position? Briefly describe what each step might look as you continue your development into a teacher. Be sure to give specific examples.

Q: Students who embrace an incremental view of intelligence are most likely to:A.have a fixed mindset.B.blame their lack of intelligence when faced with a difficult situation.C.explore inventive strategies to solve a problem.D.rate low on emotional intelligence.

Q: Identify an accurate statement related to the changing understanding of intelligence.A.Technological advances and computer programs allow a precise assessment of intelligence.B.The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is considered a fixed and unchanging measure of intellect.C.The understanding of intelligence is broadening beyond traditional language and logical-mathematical factors.D.Cultural values do not influence what is considered as intelligence.

Q: What is the evidence that U.S. students are actually doing quite well in their educational performance?A.The U.S middle school students score significantly higher than the Japanese students on algebra tests.B.Universities report a higher satisfaction with the quality of students who are entering higher education.C.In recent years SAT reading and mathematics scores have reached an all-time high.D.The U.S. students are scoring comparatively higher on international tests of mathematics and science.

Q: Which of these is NOT a reason for the furor surrounding the quality of U.S. education?A.The idea that schools are underfunded and need more federal funding.B.The idea that schools should tackle a wide array of academic and social challenges.C.Schools are serving more poor students, special education students, and non-English-speaking students.D.Education is reduced to a single test-score, and that score can stigmatize schools, teachers, and students.

Q: Which of the following is a reason for demanding radical school reform and the furor about failing schools?A.Adults feel that their children study harder and are learning more.B.Americans have realistic expectations about the social and economic outcomes of education.C.Schools today work with large numbers of poor students, non-English-speaking children, and special education students.D.Teachers associations and tenure protect only competent teachers.

Q: Compared to resumes, portfolios:A.are less valued by many school districts and universities.B.simply include a career objective and work experience.C.are simpler to create and save time.D.offer a more comprehensive reflection of a candidates skills.

Q: Imagine that you are on a committee charged with rewarding good teachers and removing poorly performing ones. The subject of merit pay arises and you are asked to discuss the idea with your committee members. How, exactly, does merit pay work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of pay for performance? If you were asked to provide your professional recommendations about merit pay to the committee, what would your position be and why? Be sure to support your position with analysis and examples where appropriate.

Q: How do teachers feel about their jobs in terms of their levels of satisfaction and preparation? How have their perceptions changed over time? What factors might influence how they view their work? Be sure to provide specific examples to support your discussion.

Q: Imagine that you are a teacher addressing a group of students considering teaching as a career. One of the students asks you about the pros and cons of teaching. How would you answer that student? Be sure to provide specific examples where appropriate.

Q: Many teachers feel that what they do in the classroom is undermined by influences outside of the classroom. What are these influences? How can teachers respond to these pressures so that they can still provide effective instruction? Be sure to provide analysis and examples where appropriate.

Q: The concept of tenure is often a controversial one in education circles. What is tenure? Do you feel that school districts should maintain tenure for teachers or should they eliminate tenure entirely? Be sure to support your arguments with analysis and examples where appropriate.

Q: Some teachers feel disheartened because some education reformers seem to hold them responsible for the perceived shortcomings of U.S. schools. Based on what you have learned, are such accusations accurate? Why or why not? Be sure to support your arguments with analysis and specific examples.

Q: In the movie, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Mr. Chipping is warned that teaching "calls for something more than a university degree." What attributes beyond a university degree do you feel that successful teachers must possess? Be sure to explain your response, providing specific examples where appropriate.

Q: The authors note that many argue that teaching is an "emerging profession," while others view it as a "submerged profession." Discuss what you think would need to occur for teaching to be able to attain full professional status. Be sure to provide examples to support your argument.

Q: Research shows that teachers skilled in pedagogy:A.outperform teachers with superior subject area knowledge.B.give more importance to subject knowledge than teaching methods.C.lack effective instructional skills.D.do not employ effective teaching strategies.

Q: Identify a reason why teacher education students are considered less talented than other college majors.A.Education majors are less likely to score in the top 25 percent on the SATs.B.Teachers attain scores similar to writers, engineers, and physicians on their SATs.C.Most of the students who go into teaching are academically strong.D.Honesty, social consciousness, and creativity are highly valued.

Q: The National Education Association(NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) work to improve the salaries and the working conditions of teachers _____.A.by providing low-cost legal services to all membersB.through collective bargainingC.by granting tenure to its membersD.through alternative teacher certification programs

Q: Although U.S. middle school students may lag behind their Japanese counterparts in international algebra tests, the differences disappear on later tests due to the:A.increased amount of time U.S. students spend on more challenging courses in high school.B.greater comparative effectiveness of U.S. colleges.C.greater access U.S. students have to private tutoring services.D.increased experience U.S. students have in standardized testing during their later years of education.

Q: To get board certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, a teacher:A.takes written tests and the teachers lesson plans are examined.B.must be certified by the American Federation of Teachers.C.has to appear for an interview, but written tests are not required.D.should serve as an apprentice to a master teacher.

Q: After becoming board certified, a teacher _____.A.can be assured of a promotion and hike in payB.might be given additional payC.is given less responsibility for school-wide instructionD.is legally entitled to receive a minimum 20 percent raise

Q: Elaine has been a fifth grade teacher since 1998. Elaines decisions are grounded not only in the literature but also in her experiences. She serves as a role model for her students, and she exemplifies virtues such as honesty and fairness that she seeks to inspire in them. Which of the core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards do Elaines actions most closely reflect?A.Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.B.Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.C.Teachers are experienced members of learning communities.D.Teachers are committed to students and their learning experience.

Q: Paula is a high school music teacher who is known for her involvement and commitment to her students and to her school. She is constantly working with other teachers and administrators so that they can have the best instruction, curriculum, and staff development possible. She also reaches out through her music program to involve parents and the community to make sure that these groups are engaged with the school and feel like they have a stake in what is going on there. Which of the core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards do Paulas actions most closely reflect?A.Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.B.Teachers are members of learning communities.C.Teachers are committed to students and their learning.D.Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.

Q: In the context of how teachers are prepared today, there is:A.a consensus that traditional teacher preparation programs are most effective.B.a consensus that alternative teacher preparation programs are most effective.C.no alternative teacher preparation program that is better than traditional programs.D.no consensus on how to best prepare teachers.

Q: Unlike traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative teaching programs:A.tend to result in a less diverse teaching force.B.focus on structured apprenticeship.C.tend to draw less academically-prepared students into teaching.D.are found in less than half of the states in America.

Q: One of the recommendations to strengthen the Teach for America (TFA) program is to:A.increase the pay for TFA teachers if students test scores improve.B.recruit a more diverse group of participants.C.add incentives to make more students want to join TFA.D.increase classroom support for TFA participants as they teach.

Q: The idea for Teach for America (TFA) came from:A.the report, A Nation Prepared.B.the No Child Left Behind Act.C.Wendy Kopps undergraduate thesis at Princeton.D.the American Federation of Teachers.

Q: Pavel is a new teacher in an inner-city school in Boston. To prepare for teaching, Pavel commits to teach for at least five years. Then, he spends his first year observing and working with Dava, a master teacher, while taking coursework. Only during his second year he will be allowed to teach students of his own, under Dava's supervision. Based on this description, Pavel is part of _____.A.a teaching residency program.B.a traditional teaching education program.C.the Teach for America program.D.a guild-based apprenticeship program.

Q: Which of the following statements is true regarding merit pay?A.It is not part of the current reform movement.B.It reduces the "political" factor in deciding who is an effective teacher.C.It links students performance to teachers salary.D. It can be easily linked to measurements such as test scores and attendance.

Q: Alice is a teacher who has just finished her fourth year of teaching. At the end of that year, Alice was informed that she would be granted tenure. From this point, Alice can expect:A.iron-clad guarantee of job security.B.protection from arbitrary dismissal.C.recognition as a competent teacher.D.accelerated salary increases.