The public schools environment is not conducive to learning

Golderina Venson

PS 194M

Introduction:

As a PPA (Public Policy Analysis), make believe you are the principal of a public school who is having a difficult time getting parents and students to adhere to a uniform policy. It is your job to get the parents and students to understand the importance of a safe and conducive learning environment.

Task:

By the end of the quest you will have browsed the Internet to:

1. Write an opinion essay on your position

2. Orally present the information to your audience

Process:

It’s time to begin our quest. Listed below are the criteria to record your answers.

1. Work independently on your assignment

2. Work through the WebQuest to gather information about adopting a uniform policy for the culminating presentation

4. Have visual aids and handouts

5. Write an opinion essay on your position

6. Orally present the information to your audience and be prepared to persuade them to adopt a school uniform policy

You will use the steps of the PPA to analyze the problem and develop solutions.

Steps to the PPA

o Define the Problem Successfully tell the importance of a conducive environment and why a uniform policy is needed

o Gather the Evidence Gather evidence supporting a uniform policy and a safe, conducive learning environment: Where they are and why they work

o Identify the Causes Identify the causes mandating a uniform policy in the school

o Evaluate an Existing Policy Discuss how schools can adopt a school uniform policy

o Develop a Solution List the benefits and cost on adopting a school uniform policy

o Select the Best Solution Discuss how school uniforms work in two other schools in district 5.

Resources:

· http://www.ed.gov/updates/uniforms.html

· http://www.edweek.org/context/topics/issuespage.cfm?id=38

· http://www.education-world.com/a_admin/admin130.shtml

· http://www.education-world.com/a_admin/admin065.shtml

· http://www.aclu.org/congress/uniform.html

· http://www.edweek.org/ew/vol-15/28rist.h15

· http://www.lbusd.k12.ca.us/uniform.htm

Evaluation:

Writing Rubric

	3	2	1	Score
Topic	Fully introduce the topic they are writing about	Introduces some of the information about the topic	Does not introduce the topic
Opinion & Reason	States an opinion piece and give a reason for the opinion	States an opinion or a reason for the opinion	Does not state an opinion or a reason for the opinion
Closure	Provides a sense of closure related to the topic	Provides a sense of closure that is unrelated	Does not provide a sense of closure
Comments: Name: ________________________________________________				Total: __________

Name: _____________________________________________ Score: _______________________

Oral Presentation Rubric

	4-Excellent	3-Good	2-Fair	1-Needs Improvement
Delivery	Holds attention of entire audience with the use of direct eye contact, seldom looking at notes	Consistent use of direct eye contact with audience, but still returns to notes	Displayed minimal eye contact with audience, while reading mostly from the notes	Holds no eye contact with audience, as entire report is read from notes
Content/ Organization	Demonstrates full knowledge by answering all class questions with	Has somewhat clear purpose and subject; facts that support the subject.	Attempts to define purpose and subject; provides weak examples and facts which do not adequately support the subject.	Does not clearly define subject and purpose; gives insufficient support for ideas or conclusions
Enthusiasm/ Audience Awareness	Demonstrates strong enthusiasm about topic during entire presentation	Raises audience understanding and awareness of most points	Raises audience understanding and knowledge of some points	Fails to increase audience understanding of knowledge of topic
Comments:

Conclusion:

You have successfully researched the factors contributing to adaptation to school uniforms. Given the information received, you should be able to make a valid presentation to your classmates about a school successfully adapting a uniform policy.

CCLS: W.3.1, Sl. 3.1, SL.3.6, L.3.2