Discussion Paper

1. Room set-up

Criterion: “Democratic schools value collaboration and cooperation rather than competition”. (Pugach, 2009, p. 309)

Discussion: Mrs. C does not meet this criterion since, although the desks in her classroom are arranged into pairs, some students sit alone. While every other student is sitting down next to a classmate they can interact ant collaborate with, there are three students who sit by themselves in the last rows. One student spends most of her time in a separate table in the back of the classroom where she is not able to collaborate like the rest of her classmates.

2. School and Classroom Climate

Criterion: Exchange (people need to exchange goods and services in balanced ways in order to survive in a democracy) (Conditions

Content being taught

Criterion: “Plan instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, families, communities, and curriculum goals and standards; and taking into account issues of class, gender, race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, and special needs in designing instruction.” (Portrait of a Teacher, 2003)

Discussion: The school meets this criterion since they provide extra help to students that need it. The school has ESL classes for students who are still having language issues in order for them to not struggle. Help is also provided for students who have difficulty with math. Two students were pulled out of Mrs. C’s class in order to receive help from one of the school’s math specialists.

b. Teaching strategies

Criterion: “The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners” (Pugach, 2009, p.

C does not meet this criterion since students were not allowed to follow their own way of learning to solve math problems. The students were reprimanded for doing their homework their own way rather than using a method she had taught during their previous class. In another incident, a student was yelled at for not following her exact instructions on a reading assignment. Mrs. C proceeded to crumple up the student’s work and throw it out in front of him.

c. Assessment of student learning

Criterion: “Understand and use multiple forms of assessment to promote the intellectual, social, and physical development of students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills and dispositions” (Portrait of a Teacher, 2003)

Discussion: Mrs. C meets this criterion since she used different forms of assessment, such as giving a spelling quiz and handing out math worksheets. Through homework and tests she is able to see if her students are understanding the material and developing the critical thinking skills that are needed in a democracy. Mrs. C also assessed the students by asking questions during a classroom discussion on the different addition and subtraction strategies.

4. Integration of Family and Community

Criterion: “Build relationships with school colleagues, families, and agencies in the community to support students’ learning and well-being, and work to foster an appreciation of diversity among students and colleagues” (Portrait of a Teacher,