Understand Education Policy
Understand Poverty, Health, and Welfare Policy
Ch. 16 Education, pp. 527-560, 52 Points
A. Short Answers: 27 Points
1. Look at the bar graphs on page 530 and compare the trends in high school and college graduates between 1970-2008 according to race. 6 pts.
2. Which four states have the highest high school graduation rate? Which four states have the lowest? How does Alabama rank? Which four states have the highest SAT
scores? Which four states have the lowest? How does Alabama rank? 6 pts.
3. Look at the table on page 537 and discuss the sources of funds for public education between 1980 and 2007. 6 pts.
4. What was the No Child Left Behind Act? (2001)? 4 pts
5. Look at the bar chart on page 546. Which four states spend the most per pupil? Which four states spend the least? How does Alabama rank? 5 pts.
B. Identify: 5 Points
1. magnet schools 2. charter schools 3. land grant colleges 4. vocational schools (1917) 5. ESEA Title 1 4. Head Start 5. Pell Grants
C. Short Essays: 20 Points
1. Discuss the debate over school vouchers. What are educational vouchers? What are the arguments for and against? What was California’s proposition 174? What did
the Supreme Court rule concerning the use of vouchers for religious schools? 8 pts.
2. Discuss the role of religion in public and private schools., pp. 554-557. What is the no establishment clause? Free exercise clause? What public aid to religious
schools is allowed? What are arguments for and against? What are the excessive entanglement and Lemon Tests? What is the role of prayer and Bible reading in the public
schools? 12 pts.
Ch 17 Poverty, Welfare, and Health, pp. 561-577
A. Short Answers: 41 Points
1. Look at the graph on p. 562 and discuss poverty trends between 1950-2008. 5 pts.
2. Look at the bar graph on page 563. Which four states have the highest poverty rates? Which four states have the lowest? How does Alabama rank? 5 pts.
3. Look at the table on page 565. What is the definition of poverty in 2008? How many poor people live in America? What is the relation of race, age, and family
structure to poverty? 6 pts.
4. Look at the table on page 566 and answer the following questions. How many people receive social security? Medicare? Federal Government retirement? State
government retirement? Veterans benefits? Unemployment compensation? TANF? SSI? Medicaid? SCHIP? Food Stamps? Food lunches? School breakfasts? WIC? Federal student
loans? Pell Grants? 8 pts.
5. Look at the bar chart on p.567. Which five states receive the most welfare cash benefits? Which five states receive the least? How does Alabama rank. Which five
states receive the most Medicaid benefits? Which five states receive the least? How does Alabama rank? 6 pts.
6. What is the origin of the unemployment compensation program? How is it financed? What is the role of the states in running the program? How long do benefits last?
How and when are the time limits extended? 6 pts.
7. Look at the graph on p. 571. Was welfare reform successful between 1993 and 2008? 2 pts.
8. What is the earned income tax credit? 3 pts.