Education Reform Project

The Education Reform project is a three-part assignment that will be due in stages. The first two parts will be done individually, while the third part will be a group presentation. The due dates for each section, as well as a brief description of each, can be found below. Scroll down further for detailed information on each assignment.

  1. Annotated Bibliography - detailed descriptions of the academic sources you will be using to write your education reform essay, following a specific, detailed guideline.
  2. Education Reform Essay - an essay to reform some aspect of our national, state, or local (district) education system, using research from academic sources to describe the problem and a narrow, focused proposal to fix it. You'll first submit an outline, then a rough draft, then an alternative outline prior to submitting the final draft in late January.
  3. Education Reform Presentation - a group project, completed using Google slides, that addresses a problem specific to Denver School of the Arts and proposes a specific, attainable solution.

Annotated Bibliography

Choose a topic for reform. Some suggested readings and/or sites to look for topics include:

Peterson, Paul E. Saving Schools: From Horace Mann to Virtual Learning. First Belknap Press of

Harvard University Press, 2010.

Ravitch, Diane. The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice are

Undermining Education. Basic Books, New York, 2010.

  1. Get your topic approved by Mr. Cohen (me!). I'll check to make sure that your topic is narrow enough to be focused, and make suggestions as appropriate. All topics must be approved at least two weeks prior to the annotated bibliography due date (Fri., 11/1). This will ensure that you have enough time to get your research and writing done.
  2. Use your Annotated Bibliography Assignment packet to complete your research. This guide will give you specific steps you need to take to complete your bibliography. Note: Two of your six required sources must come from scholarly journals. See me for questions and/or concerns around this. Pay attention to the details; formatting matters! Annotated Bibliography rough drafts will be due in class Wed./Thurs., 11/13-14. Make a note to yourself!
  3. Submit your finished annotated bibliography to turnitin.com by 11:59 pm on Friday, 11/15. I'll review it and give you feedback so that you can make any necessary revisions and/or suggestions before you use these sources to write your paper.

Education Reform Essay

Rough draft due Mon./Tues., Jan. 13-14 in hard or electronic copy for peer editing. It should include all of the following:

  • Your proposal for education reform, using your annotated bibliography as the bulk of your research and your outline for structure, and be 4-6 pages in length.
  • Typed, 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced.
  • Include all of the Key Features in your proposal:
    • A description of a problem that needs a solution.
    • A claim that proposes a practice or policy that addresses a problem or need, is oriented toward action, is directed at the future, and is appropriate to your audience.
    • Statements that clearly relate the claim to the problem or need.
    • Evidence that the proposal will effectively address the need or solve the problem and that this policy is attainable.
  • Include a Works Cited page following MLA format as well as a Title page that includes your paper's title, your name, the date, and the period - centered (neither count against your 4-6 pages).
  • Be ready to share with each other in peer editing.
  • Please note: Your proposal may need qualifiers, may need to anticipate rebuttals and/or unintended consequences, etc. Consider these as you write!

FINAL DRAFT WILL BE DUE TO TURNITIN.COM ONLY BY 11:59 PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 31ST. EMAILED, SHARED, OR PAPER COPIES WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED.

Education Reform Presentation:

  • As a small group of four to six students, create a proposal for education reform specific to DSA.
  • Create an engaging, compelling Google slide presentation that you will share with the class.
  • You may use a topic similar to the one you used for your education reform essay or an entirely original idea; come to a consensus as a group and pick a topic that truly interests you.
  • Include all of the Key Features in your proposal:
    • A description of a problem that needs a solution.
    • A claim that proposes a practice or policy that addresses a problem or need, is oriented toward action, is directed at the future, and is appropriate to your audience.
    • Statements that clearly relate the claim to the problem or need.
    • Evidence that the proposal will effectively address the need or solve the problem and that it’s workable.
    • An anticipated rebuttal or potential for unintended consequences.
    • An answer to the rebuttal/unintended consequences; perhaps a qualifier, more evidence to support your proposal, etc.
    • A conclusion
  • Include a Works Cited page following MLA format.
  • Be ready to share in front of the class - all group members must participate.
  • No minimum or maximum number of slides; simply make enough to make a strong proposal, but the actual presentation should be between 8 and 10 minutes in length.
  • NEW THIS YEAR! Your peers will use a rubric to judge the effectiveness of your proposal. Each class will have a winning presentation that will be shared with the School Leadership Team (SLT), and the members of the winning group will be given the option to present it to them directly. Additionally, each member of the winning group will automatically receive a perfect score on their proposal Good luck!

The proposals should be shared with me at Jonathan_Cohen@dpsk12.net one period prior to the due date and they will be presented in class on an upcoming schedule that will be posted at the top of this page.

2019-20 Entries:

2019 Class Submissions!