DQ#3

Do you think that it is logical to create universal goals like the Millennium Development goals that are meant to cover all education systems throughout the world?

What are some ways that education systems can be improved other than using enrollment levels that will ensure that education quality is maintained?

DQ #3: The Long Walk to School

1.) Research has shown that factors within the classroom are not the only cause of gender imbalances in international education. Household income, family size, parents’ education, cultural and traditional beliefs all effect the low rates of female enrollment in education systems. However, it is a fact that girls worldwide have been closing the gender gap. How are families’ socio-economic factors being measured to reveal what influences changed their attitudes? To what extent is the behavioral changes and patterns of family being measured?

2.) With the repetitive cycle of development goals successes and failures, what types of measures and systems should be in place to assist in breaking these cycles? Developing countries often lack the finance and developed countries lack commitment, so how should policy makers be measuring attitudes and values demonstrated. How do policymakers begin to alter these actions from the start?

Discussion Questions: Long Walk to School

If education policies or “political will” and funding are not the main determinants of secondary school enrollment in the undeveloped world, what are the determinants? Even besides those in the reading, what else could affect whether a child goes to school or not?

Do you think post-secondary school enrollment (BA’s or graduate degrees) in the U.S. is determined by the same factors as enrollment in secondary school in the undeveloped world (funding, parents, etc.)?