Education Inequality and Teacher Impact

The video discusses the unrealistic expectations placed on teachers, highlighting quotes from Arne Duncan and Wendy Kopp. It examines research showing teachers account for 7% of the achievement gap, with the rest due to socioeconomic factors. Historical perspectives from figures like Catharine Beecher and Jacob Riis are explored, showing a long-standing belief in teachers solving social issues. Modern movements like Standards and Accountability are critiqued, emphasizing the need to make teaching an attractive profession rather than relying solely on teachers to address inequality.

What did Arne Duncan imply about great teachers?

• They can teach any subject.

• They are better than doctors.

• They are miracle-workers.

• They can solve all educational problems.

According to Wendy Kopp, what can a great teacher do?

• Increase school funding.

• Eliminate poverty.

• Improve school infrastructure.

• Trump poverty.

What percentage of the achievement gap is attributed to teacher quality according to research?

• 7%

• 20%

• 15%

• 10%

What was the focus of the Common School Movement?

• Improving teacher salaries.

• Building more schools.

• Introducing new teaching methods.

• Addressing inequality between Protestants and Catholics.

During the Progressive Era, what was a major social issue teachers were expected to influence?

• Labor rights.

• Urban sanitation.

• Child labor.

• All of the above.

What was the hope during the Civil Rights era regarding education?

• To eliminate all forms of discrimination.

• To close achievement gaps through school integration.

• To increase teacher salaries.

• To introduce new curricula.

What is the main idea of the Standards and Accountability movement?

• To standardize teacher training.

• To close socioeconomic gaps through teacher efforts.

• To increase school funding.

• To improve student attendance.

What is suggested as a more effective focus than expecting teachers to solve poverty?

• Making teaching an attractive profession.

• Introducing new subjects.

• Building more schools.

• Increasing teacher salaries.

What is the gap between individual teacher impact and national scale change?

• It is easily bridged.

• It is significant.

• It is minimal.

• There is no gap.

What question is posed about the current approach to using teachers to address inequality?

• Is it the most popular?

• Is it the most cost-effective?

• Is it the fastest method?

• Is it the best way?