BEHAVIOR  VS.  ACADEMICS IN  PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

Interdisciplinary Problem Solving Program

Web Quest for English - Language Arts Sixth Grade

Roberto Clemente Community Intermediate School 166

 

Audrey E. Rhoden

ARLAX8!@AOL.Com

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

One of the reasons for the lack of discipline in Public Schools is a result of students’ poor moral and low performance on exams.  In order for students to improve in a positive way, morals must be taught by both parents and teachers. In order for students to become more productive, the existing laws that govern the school system must be revised.  The current laws and regulations as they exist place more emphasis on disciplinary actions rather than academics.  As a Public Policy Analyst you will examine laws that govern students’ behavior in public schools.  What role would religion play in influencing students’ morals and exam scores will be an important topic for research

 

 

TASK

 

You will learn how to create public policy using the TIPS model.  By the end of the quest you would have surfed the Internet to gather data and complete a research project using computer technology.

 

·       Define Religion?

 

·       Define Moral?

 

·       Religion does not play an important role in public schools. Why?

 

·       How would religion help students with deviant behavior in school?

 

·       What are some of the ways to recognize violent warning signs in students?

 

·       Are there any existing policies in the area of religion in the American Public School Systems?

 

·       How many students will accept religion being taught in public schools?

 

·       Do you believe that religion would help students improve in their behavior and academic progress?

 

·       How would teachers react if they were asked to teach religion in public school?

 

·       If religion was taught what religion would it be?

 

 

PROCESS

 Research Guidelines

 

·       Work in teams of four students

 

·       Work cooperatively.

           

·       Each team will have two sets of students.

 

·       The first set of students will answer the first six questions.

 

·       The second set of students will answer the last five questions.

 

·       Work through the Public Policy Analysis research guide to gather information about religion in schools.  For assistance please see the following website

           http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/welcome.html

 

·       Choose an additional web site to conduct your research.

 

·       Utilize any word processing program to record your responses.

·       Develop solutions as to how religion will help students in public schools.

 

·       Develop solutions as to how religion and behavior would enhance student moral and academic progress.

 

·       Orally present the material to the class.

 

 

RESOURCES

Define the Problem

 

Gathering the evidence

 

Identify the cause of the problem

 

Evaluate a policy

 

Develop solutions

 

Select best solution

 

http://www.familyeducation.com/topic/front/0,

 

http://www.adl.org/religion_ps/default.asp

 

http://www.aclu.org/issues/religion/relig7.html

 

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pray.htm

 

http://www.teachingaboutreligion.org/

 

http://www.ed.gov/inits/religionandschools/

 

 

EVALUATION      

 

Your grade will be based on two main factors; a research project and an oral presentation.  50% of your grade will be based on your research and 50% on an oral group presentation. 

 

Grade Rubric:

 

Excellent - Grade A

·       All questions are clearly and completely answered.

 

·       The information is presented in proper sequence and well organized.

 

·       The report is well written.

 

·       The visual aids are informative and highly attractive

 

·       Excellent group dynamics.

 

Good - Grade B

·       All of the questions are answered however some are not complete enough.

 

·       The information lacks connection between questions.

 

·       Most of the information is copied verbatim without student’s input.

 

·       The visual aids are informative but not attractive.

 

·       Good group dynamics.

 

Satisfactory - Grade C

·       The questions are not completely answered.

 

·       Report is slightly unorganized.

 

·       The information is copied word for word without student input.

 

·       The visual aids are missing important information.

 

·       Satisfactory group dynamics.

 

Unsatisfactory - Grade F

·       All questions are not answered.

 

·       The report is unorganized.

 

·       The information is copied word for word without student input.

 

·       Missing visual aids.

 

·       Group did not work well together.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

Upon your conclusion of this research you will recognize the most important factors that contribute to behavior and education of children in an urban school setting.  You will realize that religion did or did not play a role in their academic progress.  You will be able to answer questions posed and identify factors that contribute to violent behavior and create solutions to these behavioral problems.

 

This web quest meets the four disciplines of the New York City Performance Standards – English Language Arts

 

·       Reading

E1c- Read and Comprehend informational materials.

 

·       Writing

E2a- Produce report of information.

 

·       Speaking, Listening, and Viewing

E3c- Prepare and deliver individual presentation.

 

·       Conventions, Grammar, and Usage of the English Language

E4a- Demonstrates an understanding of the rules of the English Language in written and oral work.