graded discussion #1

READ CAREFULLY!!!

You can click on the links at anytime, think about what you want to write, and then start writing for your submission. Students only getONE post and you should NOT respond to any other posts.  However, you must read the other posts because your submission CANNOT be similar to that of someone else.  You should plan before writing your post and submitting it. No attachments are allowed.

This graded discussion is based on free writing.  In order to be successful on this discussion, you need to CLEARLY demonstrate an understanding of the information and the questions presented.  Following the directions is important. 

You will be given articles to read, then you will provide your opinions on the topic and provide evidence for your position.

Take this political ideology quiz first!  http://www.people-press.org/quiz/political-typology/

Now follow these directions to complete the Graded Discussion:

1.  http://triblive.com/usworld/nation/9570832-74/board-opinion-state#axzz3teUtyo99

2. http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2015/12/07/129981/houston-school-board-considering-changes-to-gifted-and-talented-program/

Click on the above links and read the articles.  Then respond to the questions below.  In order to receive full credit for the discussion, you have to follow the guidelines provided. Remember to incorporate the articles/podcast in your response.

Guidelines for submission:  Submissions must have at least 800 words.  Students must also use proper grammar and punctuation, with no contractions. NO PLAGIARISM is allowed!  If you copy any portion of your submission from external sources, you will receive a 0!  Do not use phrases/quotes from the assigned link or external links to write your response.

Question:  What is the status of education in Texas?

1. What was the result of your political typology quiz?  Do the results of the quiz give an accurate or adequate representation of your political position?  Do you believe that this quiz is useful to increasing political knowledge, participation or understanding your positions?

2.  Provide a brief summary of the articles.  What is the most important issue that these links raise, in your opinion? What are the two positions (opposing views) of this issue?  What is your opinion of this topic?  Provide at least one article that validates your position (link and brief summary of the position the author takes). Your link cannot be the same as one used in another post.

3.  Based on course topics, why is this topic relevant to the study of government? (This means that you need to make a connection between the articles' topic and at least one topic in the course and provide evidence.)  Is this topic relevant to society as a whole?

Remember:  Your grade is based on following the directions carefully, your understanding of the topic presented, and your clear responses to the questions presented.

Grading Rubric:

Superior (100) ~  Student followed all the guidelines for the assignment in a clear, knowledgeable manner; met the word count; provided informative, pertinent, and engaging information about the topic; no contractions; and used proper grammar.

Good (80) ~ Student followed the guidelines for the assignment, met the word count requirement, used contractions, and answered the questions in a generic manner.

Insufficient (60) ~  Student mostly followed the guidelines for the assignment, met or did not meet the word count requirement, answered the questions for the assignment in a basic manner, and did not show a clear understanding of the assignment.