A-129: The Federal Government in the Schools Dr. Thomas Hehir Spring 2013 Tuesdays, 4:00-7:00pm Etching © 2008, Lee Foundation

Course Objectives Students will: 1. Have an understanding of the historic and current federal role in public education. 2. Comprehend the federal role in supporting children (relevant to supporting kids and families, e.g. Medicaid, Head Start, social security, TANF, etc.). 3. Understand the federal programs that impact schools and children or children and families, and at the school level, understand how the federal government seeks to influence what happens in schools (through, for example, NCLB & IDEA), and 4. Understand how schools can use federal programs to improve educational outcomes for students. The primary focus will be on urban and low-income schools. 5. Be able to manage the role of federal programs or influences in schools from multiple levels.

WE THE PEOPLE History and Culture FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS & LAWS SCHOOL EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE JUDICIAL Section 504 NCLB (all of it) TITLE 9 DESEGREGATION (1964) Civil Rights Act) Children's Mental Health Program IDEA Medicaid

Major Readings 1.Hehir, T. (2005). New Directions in Special Education: Eliminating Ableism in Policy and Practice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press. 2.Kingdon, J. (2003). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies, 2d Ed. New York: Longman. 3.Minow, M. (2010). In Brown’s Wake: Legacies of America’s Educational Landmark. New York: Oxford University Press. 4.Tyack, D. & Cuban, L. (1995) Tinkering Toward Utopia. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Assignments Due Date Practice Policy Memo (optional)2/12/12 Group Policy Briefing 3/12/12 Graded Policy Memo #13/26/12 Graded Policy Memo #24/23/12 Final Group Policy Proposal4/30/12

General Course Structure Each week, students prepare readings and (typically) an activity for section discussion/debate. First 2 hours of class – presentation of new material. Final 1 hour of class – section: case study / application discussion, activity, or debate.

Week 1 Readings Cuban, L. & Usdan, M., Eds. (2003). Powerful reforms with shallow roots: improving America's urban schools. New York: Teachers College Press. Chapter 1: Chicago (pp. 1-37). (iPa©) Graham, P.A. (2005). Schooling America: How the public schools meet the nation’s changing needs. New York: Oxford University Press (pp ) (iPa©) Reyhner & Eder. (2007). American Indian Education: A History. University of Oklahoma Press. Chapter 2 (pp ) and Chapter 12 (pp ). (iPa©) Tyack, D. & Cuban, L. (1995) Tinkering Toward Utopia. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. (pp ). (RT) Prepare for class: Have urban schools in America been a success?