Post date: Apr 30, 2013 4:2:29 PM
1. The following prompt is based on the accompanying seven sources.
Introduction: Mass public schooling has traditionally proclaimed among its goals the following: (1) to help each student gain
personal fulfillment and (2) to help create good citizens. These two goals—one aimed at the betterment of
individuals and the other aimed at the betterment of society—might seem at odds with one another. At the very
least, these two goals are a cause of much tension within schools at every level: schools want students to be allowed
or encouraged to think for themselves and pursue their own interests, but schools also believe that it is right in some
circumstances to encourage conformity in order to socialize students.
Assignment: Read the sources that follow (including the introductory information) carefully. Then choose an issue related to the tension in schools between individuality and conformity. You might choose an issue such as dress codes, mandatory
classes, or the structure of the school day. You do not have to choose an issue that you have experienced personally.
Then, write an essay in which you use this issue to argue the extent to which schools should support
individuality or conformity. Synthesize at least three of the sources for support.
To read the documents for this essay, click the following link: 2009B FRQ