Interview Questions

 

These are the set of questions that I based my inquiry off of in my interviews. I may have strayed from the script every now and then to pursue a provoking topic or issue, but these were designed for every interview so that after watching all the footage, you can decide for yourself if UA is ok. 

 

Teacher/Admin. Interviews

 

• State your name and occupation

• What do you believe is the purpose of not only schools right here in central Ohio but schools across America.

• What is your opinion on test-driven accountability policies?

• What is the role of a teacher?

• What is the role of a student?

• What makes a 21st century learner?

• Arts education is something that is consistently debated, Is this something that schools should invest more in? What do you think the arts do for students?

• There are alternative methods to mainstream education. Systems like STEM, A curriculum based on four interwoven subjects promotes student-led problem solving, high-level critical thinking, and introduces problems that are deeply intertwined in the real world, have taken root in America. Are systems like STEM realistic in terms of reforming the US education system as a whole?

• We live in a society where some type of standardization will happen. We, as a nation, have chosen to standardize two things: what gets taught, and how kids get assessed. Do you believe these are helpful for aiding the growth of children in American schools, or is there another way we could monitor their development? Maybe more professional development from teachers (happens more in other countries).

• Describe Common Core, No Child Left Behind, and Race to the Top. What do you like and dislike about these policies? Do these policies benefit administrators, teachers, and students?

• The national and world job markets are constantly evolving. There is now global competition for jobs. What do you see as necessities and the proper skills for late millennials begin to enter the workforce.

• In a Ted. com article titled, What The Best Education Systems Are Doing Right, multiple successful education systems around the globe are described. For example, in Finland, school is the center of the community, it provides not just educational services, but social services. There, education is about creating identity. The Koreans are at the forefront of international comparative tests of achievement, including tests of critical thinking and analysis. They rely on hard work and diligence above all. Is there some lesson or happy medium that the US could learn from other countries to help fix an education system that is falling behind.

• Many experts say that learning languages and communication skills are vital for the future. Do you think kids should start earlier in their education with other languages? How would that work here?

• What do you believe is the central problem with our education system today?

• Do you believe the government progress in recent years in education policy is pushing us toward a solution to this problem?

• What do you see as the future for US education realistically in the next decade? 20 years? 30 years?

• If you were given the chance to change the education system, how would education work top to bottom in your eyes?

• Last question, are you ok with our education system as it sits today?

 

Student Interview

 

• What does school mean to you?

• What is the role of a teacher? What is the role of a student?

• If you were given more free-reign in terms of running your own education, do you believe that you would take that responsibility seriously?

• How are you engaged in the classroom currently? How much is disinterest a problem for you?

• Can you describe common core?

• What do you think are the skills required to enter the future workforce?