Save for later

Critical Issues in Urban Education

Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy.

The class is designed with multiple student perspectives in mind with appropriate content and access points for policymakers, school leaders, teachers and parents or other concerned citizens. No background knowledge is required.

We will consider three themes in this course:

  • Federal Strategies in School Reform: How has the federal government legislated and incented public school reform? What are the implications of those approaches given the nature of local control in American public education? We will discuss three particular strategies the federal government has enacted recently and the diverging perspectives on them.
  • School Choice: How does school choice aim to improve schools? What forms does it take? Does providing school choice improve schools?
  • Accountability: What is the history of accountability in American public schooling? What are the policies and practices associated with accountability and what are the assumptions behind them? Does accountability lead to improved outcomes for students?

    • Get Details and Enroll Now

    OpenCourser is an affiliate partner of edX and may earn a commission when you buy through our links.

    Get a Reminder

    Send to:
    Rating Not enough ratings
    Length 12 weeks
    Effort 2 - 5 hours per week
    Starts On Demand (Start anytime)
    Cost $50
    From University of Chicago via edX
    Instructor Sara Ray Stoelinga
    Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
    Language English
    Subjects Education Social Sciences Humanities
    Tags Education & Teacher Training Social Sciences History

    Get a Reminder

    Send to:

    Similar Courses

    Careers

    An overview of related careers and their average salaries in the US. Bars indicate income percentile.

    Title one after school/ summer school teacher $49k

    Comprehensive School Reform Coordinator $51k

    School Officer $56k

    School RN $60k

    High School School Psychologist $69k

    School of Business $70k

    High School School Facilitator $77k

    Investigator, Committee on Government Reform and Oversight $81k

    Program Manager, Partners for Health Reform project $85k

    Compliance - Regulatory Reform Project Manager $94k

    Senior Marketing Manager, Communications & Training - Health Reform $108k

    School of Dentistry $115k

    Write a review

    Your opinion matters. Tell us what you think.

    Please login to leave a review
    Login or register with your email instead.
    Rating Not enough ratings
    Length 12 weeks
    Effort 2 - 5 hours per week
    Starts On Demand (Start anytime)
    Cost $50
    From University of Chicago via edX
    Instructor Sara Ray Stoelinga
    Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
    Language English
    Subjects Education Social Sciences Humanities
    Tags Education & Teacher Training Social Sciences History

    Similar Courses

    Sorted by relevance

    Like this course?

    Here's what to do next:

    • Save this course for later
    • Get more details from the course provider
    • Enroll in this course
    Enroll Now

    Special thanks to our sponsors