Sociology: Education Project
Assignment:
After discussing positive and negative aspects of public education in America, students will work in groups
to design a public school system from the ground up.
Objectives:
Students will work cooperatively and think creatively to design a feasible school system that meets the
needs of a modern community and a modern world.
That’s right, school system. This means every level you choose to include.
Products:
1. Aerial blueprint of your schools
 Groups will need to provide a blueprint for each building designed within the school system. Do
so on standard-sized poster board.
 Each building needs to be detailed, showing every room utilized within the school.
 Certain classrooms will need to be detailed so as to describe the day-to-day learning
environment for that particular subject, etc.
2. Written description of each school.
All bullets must be tied to your group’s overall vision, function, and purpose. Think about what you want
students in your school to be able to accomplish each day, week, year, etc., and take with them after they
move on.
 Calendar - # of days; days and/weeks of breaks; holidays; teacher work days; etc.
 Time of day- beginning and ending of the school day (at each level or school) Are starting and
ending times the same or staggered?
 Number of schools and how many grades are in each
 Size of school (max. or min. number of students per building)
 Periods in the day and hours/minutes of each period at each level
 Types of classrooms – same or multiple ages; single sex or mixed
 Student: teacher ratio at each level; aides?
 Type of administration: principal with assistants; co-principals; head teachers; boards
 Types of instruction – mandated by the school; teacher choice; student choice; etc.
 Teacher qualifications (different per level?)
 Parent and student requirements: parent participation in activities and/or conferences
 Community service requirements for students; if so how many and when
 Graduation or advancement requirements (for classes and/or grades)
 Grades - pass/fail; traditional grading; some modification; other
 Tests to enter or exit a particular class or grade; prerequisites?
 School activities and participation in/attendance to them
 Classes offered – required; electives; credits to advance/graduate
 Basic rules and regulations
 Policies regarding . . . (what else do you believe you will need to meet your school system’s
goals?
These ARE NOT the only items you need to address. There may be others you would like to, and should,
include that are not listed above. Please add any items you believe to be vital to your school’s vision,
function, and purpose.
Due date:
- presentations will begin on this day
Points: The overall project is worth 150 pts. You must work each day – no work = no grade.
Blueprints:
50
Presentation (individual): 75
Descriptions:
25