HSOC 335 Healthy Schools, “the Achievement Gap,” and the Politics of Urban School Reform
Cross-listed as PSCI 335
Offered:Spring 2010
Summers W 3:30-6:30
ABCS course
course originates in Political Science
This Fox Leadership and academically based community service seminar will examine the assumptions behind and the results of key policy initiatives directed towards addressing “the achievement gap” and creating “healthier school environments” in the light of course readings and service activities at Lea School in West Philadelphia. Course readings will include works by Jonathan Kozol with his critique of the nation’s failure to address racial and class segregation and under-funding in urban schools. We will also examine studies of the impact of the federal No Child Left Behind legislation and its mandates for school achievement in contrast with the decentralized, grass roots approach to improving school health environments promoted by the Center for Disease Control’s School Health Index with its on-line rubric for establishing a Coordinated School Health Council and an evaluation and planning process for individual schools. A former teacher and GSE graduate student will supervise class service projects at Lea School at 47th and Locust. Options will include work with the Lea Recess Initiative, an anti-bullying program, the Urban Nutrition Initiative, and the After School Program on health focused programming. Speakers will include individuals who are taking leadership in efforts to improve the health environment in urban schools. Students will write several short papers based on course readings and present group reports on the service projects. (A research paper is optional.)
