Introduction:
These prompts are intended to help us evaluate your expertise in the broader field of urban education- it is not to restate your specific dissertation proposal or research agenda (although you will use that as the foundation for question 3). Think broadly about the field, what you know about the field, what the key conversations are in the field, and then how you situate your work and contributions within that. This essay should be written in APA format. Each of the 3 sections should be a minimum of 5-7 pages in length. Draw from your annotated bibliographies in all of your classes in the program, plus additional readings you have done.
The Question:
1) Drawing on literature, provide a defensible definition for “urban education” that clearly conveys how you are conceptualizing that definition. Include key literature that supports your conceptualization. You might consider geographical, historical, cultural, political/policy and economic influences. Address the critiques that others might make of your definition.
2) Identify 3 critical issues in the field of urban education. Synthesize the impact of and the main arguments for each. Include counterarguments (from theory, media, or practice), and discuss the primary conceptual frameworks that you would utilize to address those issues.
Issue #1: Diversification of the teacher workforce (Cite: Milner/Ladson Billings/Tate/Delgado/Yosso) will lead to higher academic achievement among black and brown students. Subtopic: Achievement Gaps or Opportunity Gaps
Issues #2 with Curriculum (Not inclusive)-The Teaching Challenge of the Twenty-First Century (Oakes & Lipton, 2003) “culture wars” An attempt to require teaching mainstream culture and language and none other.
Standardized Testing in P-12 education
3) Building on your understanding of urban education and critical issues in urban education, (a) describe your research agenda, (b)explain some core concepts in your work, and (c) discuss the significance of your research and scholarship. How will your work contribute to both research and practice.
· Theoretical Frameworks guiding my research is Critical Race Theory, and Sociopolitical Development Theory, Critical Pedagogy in particular
· My research agenda, I have done work interrogating dismantle systems of oppression in education affecting systemically excluded students (Black and Brown students. I also look to better prepare white women teachers to meet the needs of culturally, linguistically and racially diverse students (Critical Consciousness/Freire work can be cited/Sociopolitcal Development Theory.
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