1. An analysis of the current educational debate in the United States.

2.  There is a constant debate in the United States about how the educational system is failing.  Despite the debate, kids in the United States are falling behind those around the world.  This activity meant to engage students to address the questions of the debate for themselves.

3.  Students will use this PowerPoint to begin exploration of issues related to the United States educational system – the major question to answer is: Why are our kids falling behind the rest of the world?

4.  To begin, click this link to go online and watch the [biased] video “Stupid in America” by 20/20 of ABC News: Link Text only: linklink

5. Which four groups’ views are presented in the video? [Text]

6.  Choose one of the groups from Step 2 and elaborate on their reasons for kids failing: Your response here.

7. Review the following resources: The Heritage Foundation NEA National Center for Education Statistics List the most interesting fact you found here and explain why you thought it was interesting:

8. Read the article “Why Our Children Fail” by James P. Lenfestey.Why Our Children Fail What four opinions were expressed in the article? Put them in the blocks below:

9. Using the information gathered in this activity form your own opinion of why are our kids falling behind the rest of the world. You should have: 1. A well written thesis statement 2. Five Paragraphs (at least) 3. Use at least 3 resources to support your arguments This essay will be posted as a comment to the blog entry at lessontrails.blogspot.com.lessontrails.blogspot.com

10. Category4321 Internet Use Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance. Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance. Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance. Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites. Organization Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings. Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs. Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed. The information appears to be disorganized. Paragraph Construction All paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well. Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs.

11. Congratulations! You have completed this activity. You should have posted your essay as a comment to lessontrails.blogspot.com.lessontrails.blogspot.com You should have completed the questions and activities in this presentation. Type your name on this slide and the Task slide and save it to your H:/ drive and then print a handout of this presentation and turn it in to show your work.

12.  20/20 ABC News for “Stupid in America” posted on YouTube.YouTube  Rubistar for the rubric used for evaluation. Rubistar  Blogger used for posting essays as comments. Blogger