Read and answer

[Rfaleet]

B) Read and answer

Many people believe that private schools have more successful educational outcomes that do public schools, due to less bureaucracy, more family involvement, smaller classes, and students' backgrounds. Families who send their children to private school must pay both tuition and school taxes for public schools. There was much political pressure, beginning in the 1970s in various states, to give public financial support to private schools. One mechanism is the voucher—a coupon in the amount the school district normally spends on an individual child's education—to be "spent" at whatever school the family chooses, public or private. The argument is that in a free-market system private schools should have as much right as public schools to be supported by the government and that the best schools will attract more students, thereby thriving, while the worst schools will improve to attract "customers."

The voucher system came under legal scrutiny in a court case in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1997, when the system was declared unconstitutional because of inappropriate church-state separation; most of the vouchers (public money) were being used for religious schools. However, the concept of vouchers as a school choice option is still viable, as evidenced by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which tries to balance flexibility with accountability in schools receiving federal funds under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The act grants parents certain rights, such as to inspect instructional material and assessments; it provides guidelines for school choice and vouchers, and for school prayer; and it stipulates requirements for funding school improvements, teacher qualifications, and testing.
Berns, Roberta M. Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support. 6th Edition, page 216

1. The main idea of this passage is
a. the voucher system is one method of providing for school choice.
b. private schools have more successful educational outcomes than public schools.
c. political pressure has forced states to allow vouchers.
d. the voucher system was declared unconstitutional in Ohio.
[[
2. In the second paragraph, the word scrutiny means
a. Acceptance
b. Organization
c. Close examination
d. Approval

3. According to the passage, why was the voucher system ruled unconstitutional in Ohio?
a. It was found to discriminate against minorities.
b. It allowed public funds to be spent on religious schools.
c. It did not require accountability for schools.
d. It cost too much taxpayer money.

4. The main purpose of the passage is to
a. discuss the voucher system.
b. persuade parents to send their children to religious schools.
c. explain the historical development of American education.
d. condemn Ohio courts for declaring vouchers unconstitutional.

5. An inference that can be made from the passage is that

a. Ohio courts are more conservative than courts elsewhere in America.
b. parents who send their children to private schools do not have to pay taxes to support public schools.
c. a large number of Americans are dissatisfied with how public education is being managed.
d. American schools may receive federal funding through Title I of ESEA.

6. The author's claim that "...the concept of vouchers as a school choice option is still viable..." is

a. inadequately supported because it depends on personal opinion.
b. adequately supported by factual evidence.
_________________
Give your smile to everyone but give your heart to only one

[Mister Micawber]

Please read and answer yourself first, and then we will check your efforts.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Rfaleet]

Read and answer
1. The main idea of this passage is

b. private schools have more successful educational outcomes than public schools.(this

2. In the second paragraph, the word scrutiny means

c. Close examination

3. According to the passage, why was the voucher system ruled unconstitutional in Ohio?

b. It allowed public funds to be spent on religious schools.

4. The main purpose of the passage is to
a. discuss the voucher system.

5. An inference that can be made from the passage is that

d. American schools may receive federal funding through Title I of ESEA.
6. The author's claim that "...the concept of vouchers as a school choice option is still viable..." is

b. adequately supported by factual evidence.
_________________
Give your smile to everyone but give your heart to only one

[Mister Micawber]

1. The main idea of this passage is
(X) b. private schools have more successful educational outcomes than public schools.--No, this is just mentioned in passing. You must consider what the passage is focusing on more generally— see Question 4!

2. OK

3. OK

4. OK

5. An inference that can be made from the passage is that
d. American schools may receive federal funding through Title I of ESEA.-- No, this is not an inference; it is an outright statement. An inference is something that the reader can imply without the fact being stated in the passage.

6. OK
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Rfaleet]

Thank you Mister Micawber for your effort.
_________________
Give your smile to everyone but give your heart to only one