In-Class Writing Assignment

Horace Mann is considered the "founding father" of public schools in the U.S. According to Mann, what is the purpose of schooling? How did Mann promote the common schools movement? What was his main argument? In what ways was the common schools movement political? How, if at all, does Mann’s philosophy of schooling affect the work of teachers? Notice the silences. How, if at all, do you think immigration and/or indigenous communities factored into Mann's argumentation? According to Goldin and Katz, what are some of the "virtues" of the U.S. educational system? "Virtues" connotes something positive. To what extent do you agree or disagree that these features are "virtues"? How, if at all, have you experienced these "virtues" in your own educational journey?

In-Class Writing Assignment

Why do we have schools? This is ultimately a moral, ethical, philosophical question. Draw inspiration from any of the authors we have read thus far in your answer. Feel free to agree or disagree with their argumentation. Make sure to include Labaree's two competing visions. Where does De Royston, Lee, Nasir, and Pea fit into all of this? Why do they say we need to "rethink" schools? So far the De Royston et al. piece is the most contemporary we've read. Place their work in conversation with the others.