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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the population of the town of Sauget?

2. What is the racial makeup of 98 percent of the population in East St. Louis?

3. How much money does Irl Soloman earn at East St. Louis High each year after teaching for nearly 30 years?

4. In what year was the decision in Plessy v. Ferguson rendered?

5. How many banks did the Tribune say were located in North Lawndale?

Short Essay Questions

1. What problem exists at Lathrop Elementary School, and what is the source of this problem?

2. Why is employment limited in East St. Louis?

3. Why does the author think that many wealthy people think it is okay if poor children receive fewer advantages?

4. Describe the urban public school that Kozol taught in while in Boston.

5. How did East St. Louis become so poor?

6. How does Kozol describe East St. Louis?

7. Compare Coral Hawkins to the gospel teacher at Mary McLeod Bethune School.

8. Why does Kozol condemn business leaders and legislators for not improving public education?

9. What financial cuts are proposed for the schools in East St. Louis? Why do cuts have to be made to the schools in East St. Louis? Who is responsible for making the cuts?

10. Why does Kozol decide to leave teaching and focus on other social issues?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter entitled, The Savage Inequalities of Public Education in New York, Kozol travels to two schools that have issues with space. What limitations does the issue of space put on the teachers, students, and administrators? What future issues could arise because of the limited space at the schools? Please use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

In his interviews, Kozol asks several individuals what they think is the answer to better schools. Based on the book Savage Inequalities, what are some of the ways to better schools? How can these ways be implemented in the schools/communities? Please use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Why is it hard for urban public schools to retain young teachers? Where do the young teachers end up teaching? What changes should the school system to make in order to recruit and retain young teachers? Because the urban school system has many aging teachers, what future issues may arise as the teachers start to near retirement age? Please use specific examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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