Chapter 2: Human Diversity In Education

One of the ways that issues of separation of church and state play out in schools is through the question of school prayer. This refers to the debate over whether or not prayer should be allowed in public schools, as it could be seen as promoting a specific religious belief and violating the principle of separation of church and state. This issue has been the subject of numerous court cases and remains a contentious topic in education.

Assimilationist ideologies argue that highlighting social and cultural differences within a nation can undermine its stability. This means that according to assimilationists, when people focus on their differences, it can create divisions and tensions within society, potentially leading to instability. Instead, assimilationists advocate for a more unified approach where individuals assimilate into the dominant culture, minimizing differences and promoting social cohesion. Therefore, the statement "Assimilationist ideologies propose that emphasis on social and cultural differences is a threat to the stability of a nation" is true.

The given answer, False, is correct. In the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled that segregating races in separate schools was unconstitutional. This ruling overturned the previous "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson. The Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education was a significant step towards desegregating schools and promoting equality in education.

Anglo-conformity, or the assimilationist model, emerged in response to the influx of large numbers of immigrants between 1870 and 1920. This model aimed to assimilate these immigrants into the dominant Anglo-American culture, encouraging them to adopt the language, customs, and values of the majority population. It was believed that by conforming to the dominant culture, immigrants would be able to achieve social and economic success in American society. This approach was seen as a way to maintain social cohesion and unity in the face of increasing diversity and to create a more homogenous society.

Large numbers of immigrants in the 1st half of the 19th century brought Catholicism to the United States. This is evident from the historical context of that time period, where a significant number of Irish and German immigrants, who were predominantly Catholic, arrived in the United States. These immigrants played a crucial role in shaping the religious landscape of the country and establishing Catholicism as one of the major religions in the United States.

Plessy v. Ferguson is the correct answer because this Supreme Court case in 1896 upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. The case involved a Louisiana law that required separate railway cars for blacks and whites. The Court ruled that as long as the separate facilities were equal in quality, they did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. This decision had a significant impact on the civil rights movement and was eventually overturned by the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

The correct answer is that on their arrival, early colonists met highly developed civilizations that were already here. This suggests that the presence of these civilizations influenced and shaped the development of American society from the beginning. It implies that Americans were different because they encountered and interacted with diverse cultures and societies, which contributed to the unique characteristics of American society.

The statement is false because the Court decisions on school prayer do not emphasize that religion should never be discussed in schools. Instead, the decisions emphasize the separation of church and state and prohibit the promotion or endorsement of religion by public schools. While schools cannot lead or organize prayers, they can still teach about religion in an objective and educational manner.

The common school emerged largely in response to differences in social class. During the 19th century, there was a growing concern about the unequal access to education based on social class. The common school movement aimed to provide free and equal education to all children, regardless of their social background. This movement sought to create a more inclusive and democratic society by providing an education that would help individuals from different social classes have equal opportunities for success.

In the 19th Century, race was not the first form of difference to become a stimulus for school reform. Other forms of difference, such as gender and social class, were actually the initial focus of school reform during this time period. Race became a significant factor in school reform later on, particularly in the 20th Century with the Civil Rights Movement. Therefore, the statement that race was the first form of difference to stimulate school reform in the 19th Century is false.