• In what ways can the use of standards improve the educational system? Describe.

There are many ways to improve the educational system by the use of standards. Firstly, students are expected to learn by each year. Secondly, the students are pushed to do their hardest and their best they can to achieve a good education. Finally, every student should be pushed by their teachers because it will help the students in the long run. For example, if the student is pushed to do well now then they will find it easier when they are older and have jobs and families.

• What are some of the potential limitations? List and explain.

Some of the potential limitations are:

1) Some teachers are not as clear as other teachers are at explaining things. This means that the students might find it difficult to understand the material which causes the students to fail tests etc.

2) Some teachers do not encourage the students to do well. The students need to know that they can do well in school to make them feel good about themselves. Encouraging the students will also help the students who do not want to come to class because it will give them motivation to actually come to class and try their hardest to get a good education.

3) Some teachers could make more real life classes. For example, I do not think that the schools help with providing the students with information they need for living on their own. I know that the students might be too young to need some of it but if you teach them at a younger age then keep doing the class until they get to college they are going to know how to file taxes and so on. 

• List and describe atleast three (3) reasons why BASIS High School is the top performing public high school in the nation. Each reason you provide must be described in at least one paragraph or more - do NOT provide a bullet list!

BASIS High School is the top performing public high school in the nation and it is a charter school that accepts all students from all around the world. This school looks at what other students are expected to learn. The also expect all their students to take AP courses. It works because all students at this school are happy and are learning at the same time.

• Who is John Gatto referring to in his quote (above) as "some people"? Explain why "some people" would think that our form of schooling is "useful". Hint - you might have to do some Internet research.

When John Gatto is referring to his quote "some people" he is talking about the government/the big boss's. Gatto believes that the American government controls far too many things now and he doesnt agree with is at all. I am on the same side as Gatto. The government are taking over, trying to control everyone and everything. Gatto explains that he wants the students to listen to him and what he has to say instead of the students listening to every word the government says. He said he likes to tell the students in schools what to think about and how to think about it. These two things are important for students and motivates them to do well in school.

• Summary

This lesson was interesting. I enjoyed watching the video clips on YouTube about Better Schools and Basis School. They helped me the most with the lesson questions because I could take notes as the video was playing. I also enjoyed reading the articles. They had loads of information in them that taught me a lot about the educational system and the potential limitations.

• Research Question

Why are schools so concerned with the dress code?

• Research Analysis

According to FindLaw, “Clothing as a primary means for expressing ideas for students is as primitive as clothing itself”. However, they explain that schools across the country face whether they should enforce strict dress code policies that may interfere with a students’ right to self-expression. In my opinion it is important that all students wear what they are told to wear in school. If one student is not wearing the dress code like everyone else it could start arguments and fights. It causes a distraction for other students which means the students have their mind on the dress code rather than learning. However, I think that every school that has a dress code should provide a school uniform for every student in the school. This would save their parents to go out and buy their uniform. The parents are obviously the ones who spend their money on the uniforms not the students so if the parents buy something inappropriate and not a part of the dress code, it is the parents fault not the student. FindLaw also talks about how it is important for the students to enforce dress code programs within their districts, they must do so without violating the constitutional rights of students and I agree.

• Reference

"School Dress Codes." Findlaw. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. http://education.findlaw.com/student-rights/school-dress-codes.html