Description
Final Exam Question:
While most educators believe that civics instruction needs to be improved in America, they disagree on the nature of the improvement needed. Progressive educational advocates like Joan Gilbert and Eve Rifkin argue that “[s]chool systems are failing their students” when they offer an “outdated and inconsequential” education “only focused on facts and memorization,” while conservative commentators like Frederick M. Hess contend that a well-meaning focus on action and “critical thinking” will amount to nothing because it never truly addresses what “students are going to think critically about.”
How should educators approach civics instruction? Should they encourage social activism, emphasize core knowledge in the classroom, or find some way to mediate between these two positions? What form of improvement is most likely to produce informed and active citizens?
Be sure to acknowledge the views expressed in both readings as part of your answer, citing the sources appropriately, as well as supporting your own opinions with evidence.
Follow these guidelines below in completing your response
1) Responses should be produced in Microsoft Word in a 12-point, easy-to-read font. Use MLA formatting rules throughout the document.
2) Place only your ID number in the upper left-hand corner, double-space, and then your course and section number. No names should appear on the response you submit.
3) Number each page at the bottom only. No repeating headers from page to page.
4) Strive to produce a 400- to 500-word response.
5) Demonstrate your understanding of MLA citation form by using in-text citations, properly punctuated and formatted. Cite specific references using the page numbers that appear at the bottom of the sources. Construct a Works Cited page based upon the citations at the top of this test prompt.
6) Submit the response according to your instructor’s instructions and according to his or her schedule