Scholarly Writing & Styles

Issues in K-12 Education Case Study

Scenario

Your state is considering a required set of education standards that all schools
must adopt. You have been nominated to serve on the statewide committee to
inform the legislature as to which standards, if any, should be adopted. You will
have the opportunity to take a stand on the following issue. Does a set of
required standards improve or limit education for ALL students (e.g., general
education students, special education, English language learners, gifted
learners) in state schools?

Consider the following questions: How can standards be implemented to improve
the quality of education for ALL students in all levels and types of classroom
(e.g., general education, special education, vocational)? Is it more effective to
adopt district standards, state-specific standards, or national standards?
Once you decide which standards to adopt, what materials, supports and training
will be needed to implement them? How do different stakeholders (e.g., policy
makers, government leaders, principals, teachers with various specialties and
points of view, students, parents) feel about the issue of standards adoption and
implementation?

Stakeholders

The State Department of Education, school administrators, teachers, students,
parents, educational specialists, politicians, business leaders, employers,
advocacy groups, and the community at large.

Document Set 1

• Document 1: A brief overview of the standards-based movement with
information synthesized from multiple authentic sources

• Document 2: and quantitative data that demonstrates inequality
and falling international performance; the data focuses on literacy,
science, and math scores, as well as the importance of education on
lifetime earnings

This document is pieced together from a variety of authentic documents

• Document 3: An authentic document that explores the function of
technology in education, and non-traditional settings for K-12 education

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 1 of 2

• Document 4: An authentic document that introduces new guidelines for
education reform that will prepare all public school students for college or
a career

Document Set 2

• Document 5: A simulated editorial from a school administrator detailing
concerns and issues with implementation of the Common Core State
Standards

• Document 6: A simulated magazine article that illustrates some the issues
regarding a set of uniform standards and expectations for English
Language Learners

• Document 7: A simulated blog post with relevant comments about the
concern that a common set of standards might exclude such disciplines as
art and music

• Document 8: Simulated blog posts about the Common Core State

Standards and special education

NOTES: Common Core is arguably one of the most pressing and controversial
issues in K-12 education. The goal of this case study is to have students
consider the various stakeholders involved, and take a position on both the broad
issue of standards-based education and one or more subtopics that fall under
this umbrella.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 2 of 2