ProCon
School Vouchers
Do school vouchers for private schools improve public school education, or do they lead to worse academic performance? Scholars read the top four pros and cons to decide if school vouchers are a good idea. They also participate in an...
Curated OER
Will the Supreme Court Vouch for Vouchers?
Students investigate past Supreme Court decisions that have centered on education issues and assess the ways in which those decisions have impacted American education. They consider the controversies surrounding the issue of school...
Curated OER
Schools of Thought on Segregation
Students read a New York Times article in order to explain how American courts and communities are dealing with the unanimous Supreme Court decision to end "separate but equal" education. They analyze how this affects the nation's youth.
Curated OER
Come Fly with Me . . . Open a Book: Travels through Literature
This detailed overview of a curriculum unit suggests using travel literature to engage and stimulate your third graders’ interest in reading. The suggested reading list includes fiction and non-fiction materials and offers urban children...
Curated OER
The Past Half Century: Achieving Equality
Students analyze reactions to the Brown vs. Education decision of 1954. In this segregation lesson, student look at the actions that were taken in the education world as a result of the Brown decision. They watch a CD, examine political...
Curated OER
Writing - Letters
The basic structure of a useful lesson in formal letter writing is here, but there are no procedural details or support materials to implement it. However, the idea is worth pursuing, to help your learners develop a strong understanding...
Curated OER
Writing Letters Lesson Plan
Young scholars compare slang and formal writing. In this letter writing lesson, students use formal language to write letters to political leaders regarding a current issue.
Curated OER
Persuasion and Political Debate by PBS
Students examine rhetorical strategies. In this political debate lesson, students research issues of presidential campaigns and deliver persuasive speeches about the issues they research. Students then participate in debates based on the...
Curated OER
Church and State Questions
For this U. S. government worksheet, high schoolers respond to 17 short answer questions about the first amendment and the separation of church and state.
Curated OER
The Impact of the Physical Environment on Stream Macroinvertebrates
Young scholars explore the relationship between leaf packs in streams and macroinvertebrate populations. They experiment with hand exposure to stream macroinvertebrates in natural leaf packs and then make leaf packs of their own. The...
Curated OER
Host a Fin-tastic Friendship Festival!
Young scholars read the book Fin-tastic Friendship Book and do activities related to friendship. In this friendship lesson, students read the book given, and do activities like character building, fortune telling, and making friendship...
Curated OER
Setting up an Enrichment System
Students earn incentives from local businesses for both academics and good behavior.
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 4
Young scholars analyze how interest groups present their viewpoint to the public. They assess how media can influence public opinion by closely examining a political ad from the 1964 presidential election.
Curated OER
Lesson Plan 4: Political Advertising
Students observe a political advertisement and evaluate the views promoted in the ad. After exploring governmental policies, students create their own 30-second ad to promote a specified cause and publicize their views. Students share...
Other
Manhattan Institute: Why School Vouchers Can Help Inner City Children
This is a speech given by Kurt L. Schmoke, the Mayor of Baltimore. He states why he feels that school vouchers are the right choice for education. A great perspective from a public servant who played a large role in improving education...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: The Controversial School Voucher Issue
Recently, the concept and use of school vouchers has come to the forefront of political, societal, constitutional, and economical discourse. From Florida's new voucher program to the presidential political debates, school vouchers...
PBS
Now With Bill Moyers: School Vouchers Overview
In-depth look at vouchers and the effect on education. Included on this site is a timeline, links to No Child Left Behind, American Education History, Pro-Con Voucher Debate, 2004 Election and educational materials.
Other
School Vouchers: Issues and Arguments
This is a site that examines the issue of school vouchers. Tends to lean in favor of vouchers, but contains a great deal of information on both sides of the issue. Includes scholarly articles that look at the evidence of the results of...
USA Today
Usa Today: Fla. Supreme Ct. Strikes Down School Vouchers
News Article from January 5, 2006 regarding the Florida's Supreme Court's decision that school vouchers were unconstitutional.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez: Summary of Zelman v. Simmons Harris
This is a great summary of Zelman v. Simmons-Harris where the Supreme Court upheld school vouchers. Gives the dates the case was heard and decided, facts of the case, legal question presented, the courts decision, and how each justice...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Vouchers, Tax Credits & Other Aid to Religious Schools
Important cases from Aguilar v. Felton to Everson v. Board of Education are reviewed. Discussion questions are included on this site.
Other
Arkansas School Boards Association
In addition to names of board members and legislators, the site provides updates on current state issues like vouchers, links to various bills before the legislature, and information on other aspects of the state's educational program.