Foundations of Education Flashcards

Which U.S. Supreme Court case established that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional?

Answer: Brown v. Board of Education

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and ruled that 'separate but equal' schools violated the Equal Protection Clause.

The philosophy of pragmatism in education is most closely associated with which thinker?

Answer: John Dewey

John Dewey championed pragmatism and progressive education, arguing that learning must connect to real-life experience and problem-solving.

Which federal law mandates a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities?

Answer: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to provide FAPE and develop an IEP for each eligible student.

In Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, the 'zone of proximal development' refers to:

Answer: The gap between what a learner can do alone and with guidance

Vygotsky defined the ZPD as the distance between a learner's actual developmental level and their potential level with skilled assistance.

Which educational philosophy holds that schools should transmit a core body of established knowledge and cultural heritage?

Answer: Essentialism

Essentialism argues that education should focus on essential knowledge and skills that have proven valuable across generations.

The concept of the 'hidden curriculum' in schools refers to:

Answer: Unwritten norms, values, and behaviors implicitly taught

The hidden curriculum encompasses implicit lessons about authority, conformity, and social roles that schools convey beyond formal instruction.

Which historical figure is credited with founding the kindergarten movement?

Answer: Friedrich Froebel

Friedrich Froebel established the first kindergarten in Germany in 1837, emphasizing play as a vehicle for young children's learning.