Unit 65 Educational System in English speaking countries

1. Which historical act in the United Kingdom established a framework for compulsory education, marking a major step towards modern public schooling?

• Education Act of 1944
• Education Act of 1870
• Land Ordinance of 1785
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787
• Education Reform Act of 1988

Answer explanation

The Education Act of 1870 in the UK set up the foundations for compulsory education, ensuring access for a broader segment of the population.

2. John Dewey’s philosophy of progressive education primarily emphasizes:

• Rote memorization and standardized testing
• Strict teacher-centered instruction
• Experiential learning and critical thinking
• Exclusive focus on STEM subjects
• Integration of religious teachings

Answer explanation

Dewey championed hands-on, student-centered approaches that help learners develop problem-solving abilities and reflective thinking skills.

3. In the United States, which 19th-century movement was led by Horace Mann to advocate for universal, non-sectarian education?

• The Progressive Education Movement
• The Common School Movement
• The Charter School Movement
• The Secondary Education Movement
• The Montessori Movement

Answer explanation

Horace Mann’s Common School Movement aimed to establish free, non-religious public schooling accessible to all children, setting the stage for modern public education.

4. Which factor significantly influenced education policies during the Cold War era, particularly in the United States?

• The introduction of the Gonski reforms
• The expansion of progressive pedagogy
• The focus on science and technology to compete globally
• The withdrawal of government funding from public schools
• The rise of online education

Answer explanation

During the Cold War, the United States bolstered STEM education to outpace rival nations in fields like space exploration and defense technologies.

5. In the UK, primary and secondary education are divided into stages known as:

• Stages A, B, C, D
• Key Stages 1 to 5
• Preliminary and Advanced Tiers
• Elementary, Junior, and Senior Schools
• Phases 1 to 4

Answer explanation

These Key Stages structure the curriculum to align with developmental phases, ensuring clarity and progression from early education through late adolescence.

6. Which country is known for devolved powers in education, resulting in varied policies across its provinces and territories?

• New Zealand
• Canada
• Australia
• The United States
• Ireland

Answer explanation

Each Canadian province or territory has the constitutional authority to manage its own education system, leading to diverse approaches nationwide.

7. The Gonski reforms in Australia primarily aimed to address:

• The implementation of uniform teacher training programs
• Unequal resource distribution among schools
• Eliminating religious-based schools
• Increasing tuition fees in public schools
• Expanding vocational training

Answer explanation

The Gonski reforms proposed a needs-based funding approach, seeking to ensure all students have equitable access to quality education, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.

8. Which of the following best characterizes traditional education methods?

• Emphasis on teacher-directed lessons and standardized assessments
• Promotion of creativity through cross-curricular projects
• Personalized learning through adaptive digital platforms
• Student-led seminars with open-ended exploration
• Incorporation of virtual reality in classrooms

Answer explanation

Traditional pedagogy prioritizes structured lessons, rote memorization, and standardized testing, with less emphasis on student autonomy or creativity.

9. Paulo Freire’s concept of “critical pedagogy” advocates for:

• Passive absorption of information
• Strict uniformity in lesson delivery
• Emphasizing rote memorization
• Fostering dialogue and critical consciousness
• Exclusive focus on academic excellence

Answer explanation

Freire believed in empowering learners by encouraging reflection, open dialogue, and critical examination of societal structures.

10. The digital divide refers to:

• Strategies to integrate more online gaming in the curriculum
• The growing reluctance to use technology in high-achieving schools
• Disparities in technology access and resources among different populations
• Banning all electronic devices in the classroom
• The separation of internet and offline learning environments

Answer explanation

The digital divide highlights unequal opportunities for learners who do not have reliable internet access or modern devices.