Public School Funding

Mr. D'Acquisto
Public School Funding
2005-06

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR YOUR RESEARCH	RESEARCH TOPICS – PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING
1. What are 1or 2 controversies related to your topic? 2. How is funding related to your topic? 3. What approaches and/or solutions have been suggested? 4. What unintended consequences from the approaches and/or solutions might you anticipate?	Athletics
	Class size
	Equity in Education
	Libraries
	Music/Art Programs
	No Child Left Behind
	Prisons & Education
STEPS IN THIS PROJECT	School Closures
1. Choose a topic	School Facilities
2. Find 3 or more articles/pieces on the topic	Small School Movement
3. Summarize each article: a. Does the article have a thesis? If so, what is the thesis? b. What are the main points? c. How does the author support the thesis and main points? Give specific examples. d. What is your favorite or the most striking line or piece of information from the article?	State Budget and Education
	Reform Proposals
	Testing
	Vocational Education
4. Prepare two of the following 3 types of presentations regarding your topic: a. Essay (2 pages) b. Creative piece (e.g. art, political cartoon, music) c. Oral presentation (4-5 minutes)

Database

SFPL Database San Francisco Public Library: Article and Databases You must have your SFPL library card number to enter. Look under: 1. Articles and News 2. Education and Social Science 3. Government 4. Student Resources for databases that will help you with this research. >>>You are already familiar with: 1. Student Resource Center and 2. Opposing Viewpoints.

Internet Search Engine
Register for Net Trekker.

Web Research Hints

1. Brainstorm words and phrases related to your topic.
2. Do more than one search. Combine different key words and phrases to see what results you get.
3. Use the subscription databases, the hidden web sites, Net Trekker, and the links below to search.
4. Use good evaluation skills to determine the best sources of information for your topic.

Evaluating Web Sources

5. Look through at least the first 10 search results to see whether your search is finding the kind of information and articles you need. (If the title or summary is way off topic, just go to the next search result).
5. Look for helpful links from one website/source to another.
6. Run a words/phrases search on S.F. Gate or another newspaper website.

Look Smart: Find Articles