AFAM334 - Effects of NCLB on Middle Level Education

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Academic Year 2004/2005

Effects of NCLB on Middle Level Education
AFAM 334 SP

This course will examine the relationship between middle level education and the Bush No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy. Both the middle school and the policy are complex with internal tensions. How do the middle school and the policy coexist to support ż or hinder ż the broader project of academic learning? In this course we will begin to address these issues inside the school, looking at how the policy affects teachers, students, and staff at a local middle school. We will attempt to clarify the roles of the federal government, state, school district and surrounding community to understand the impact of the act. A central concern of the course is to explore the role of race in the discourse of NCLB. We will raise important questions about the benefits and limitations of different aspects of the policy for African American communities and children. We will finally move to an examination of the high stakes testing and standards movement.

MAJOR READINGS

TBA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Series of 3 or 4 assignments involving fieldwork. This class will work with Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Students will have to spend two hours per week at school.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Either one sociology class or Afro-American class is required as a prerequisite. Students will have to spend two hours per week outside of class at Woodrow Wilson Middle School

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS AFAM Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Wright,Carol

Times: ..T.... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: FISK115;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 19)

SR. major: 5 Jr. major: 5

SR. non-major: 3 Jr. non-major: 3 SO: 3 FR: X

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005