Category · 44 questions
Education
Standardized testing, school choice, AI in the classroom. What schools owe students and society.
In this section
44 entriesAre IQ tests accurate?
IQ tests are a form of standardized test that allegedly gauges an individual's intelligence. While some argue for the advantages of IQ tests, others claim they are inaccurate and biased.
Are standardized tests effective?
Standardized testing has been around for a surprisingly long time, but has become much more regulated in the 21st century. With so much based upon these tests, debate has sparked about the effectiveness of them. Are they really a good measure of intelligence? Or do they just measure how well a student takes a certain form of test?
Does grammar matter?
Grammar can often seem to be an annoyance to be aware of when we write or speak. In comment sections all over the internet we might observe someone making a grammatical mistake such as using “your” instead of “you’re”, and people indignantly pointing out the error. In the end, those who read that comment understand what the writer meant - so does it really matter at all?
Does the school system benefit girls more than boys?
Girls outperform boys across all subjects, in all age groups, and across all racial groups. They secure more university places and suffer fewer disciplinary problems. By contrast, boys are overrepresented in programs for students with special educational needs and account for around 93% of suspensions and disciplinary actions. Is the modern school system designed to benefit girls more than boys?
Is history important?
To many, studying history is an important pursuit, as understanding the past could hold important lessons for the future. But to others, this is pointless memorization of irrelevant names and dates. The debate persists: are those who don't learn from history doomed to repeat it?
Is it possible to teach theatre online?
With the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, both lives and livelihoods are at risk. Theatre is an inherently live and intimate art form. Paired with the closing of Broadway and the West End, theatre instructors are now asked to adapt their curriculum to fit an online structure in order to protect themselves and their students. Some argue that, with the absence of liveness, an inability to connect energetically with fellow actors to tell a story, and the inevitable time lag of online theatre, what we are creating is no longer theatre at all. Others are beginning to see the benefits of a virtual space.
Is learning grammar important?
Grammar has long been seen as the foundation of our language, but whether it is necessary for it to be specifically studied is often overlooked. Is learning grammar necessary for learning how to read and write? Is it necessary for learning other languages? How extensively should grammar be taught, if at all?
Is medical education and medical training for US doctors too long?
Medical professions are typically regarded with great awe and fascination. In most countries, becoming a doctor is the highest form of academic achievement and it is a source of great pride for individuals and their families. In America, it takes anywhere from 11-16 years to become a doctor. Some would argue that such a level of training and education is necessary. They are also fairly compensated for their efforts. Others would disagree by showing how places like India and Europe have significantly fewer training requirements but still produce capable and adept doctors. Why do people have such contrasting views on the topic and why is doctorhood in America so fiercely debated?
Parliaに日本語対応をお願いするべきか Should Parlia make a Japanese branch site?
Wikipediaが各言語でサイトを分けているように、Parlia（パーリア）も日本語サイトを用意してもらえないか？また、地域による意見の相違はどのように扱うのが良いか？
Should children be homeschooled?
Public, private, homeschooled, or charter - there are many different ways to provide education to children. Homeschooling is a very popular method, with varying ways of teaching within itself. Students can be taught by online teachers, parents, or even partially attend a class. Should all children be educated with some sort of homeschool method?
Should children be paid to go to school?
Should children be paid to attend school? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that paying children to go to school is worthwhile, and that it is not — weighing motivation against the value of learning itself.
Should children be separated by sex in schools?
Should children be taught in single-sex classes? This entry weighs the positions on separating pupils by sex in school — for, against, and the middle view that families should be able to choose same-sex schooling.
Should children's toys be gendered?
Traditionally, toymakers market their products to either girls or boys. The toy industry presents dolls and dresses as being girls’ toys, while cars and construction tools are for boys. In recent years, advocates have highlighted the presence of harmful gender stereotypes in such marketing tactics. Considering our society’s ongoing discussion of gender identity, should children’s toys continue to be gendered?
Should classic literature be taught in 21st century schools?
The idea of substituting classic literature for more contemporary works in the classroom has been a continuous topic of discussion throughout many school districts. To teach the classics, or not to teach the classics? That is the question.
Should colleges and universities open in person for the Fall 2020 semester?
The COVID-19 pandemic has left the future of colleges and universities in a state of utter uncertainty. Across the world they are struggling to come up with safe and equitable strategies for reopening, but which one is best?
Should creationism be taught in schools?
Creationism is the belief that the God in the Bible created the earth and the sky and all the things that live therein in six days. There has been furious debate about whether this should be taught in schools. This is especially an issue in the increasingly fundamentalist USA. Creationism is often described in opposition to evolution.
Should homework be banned?
There has been a recent surge in the discussion around productive study habits for students. Is homework productive and useful, or is it merely an added stress?
Should multicultural literature be included in the high school curriculum?
Multicultural literature includes literature about people who are underrepresented in mainstream society and have been marginalized in some way, including Asian-American, African-American, and Chicano-American literature. For the most part, high school curriculum for English courses revolve around teaching the classics, but should more diverse literature be taught in high schools?
Should museum admission be free?
Should museums be free to enter? This entry weighs the positions on the question — that admission should be free, that it should not, and that it should be free on some days — balancing public access against funding.
Should Parlia support local opinions?
There are many debates within localities. “Should there be a new traffic light installed outside the elementary school” people might say yes for safety reasons, people might say no because of the tax expense. Wouldn’t this be a good use of Parlia?
Should school uniforms be mandatory?
School Uniforms are a mainstay of education in many parts of the world. The uniform can have some impact on the school experience, which makes us consider the pros and cons of school uniforms.
Should schools be able to ban books?
Hundreds of books have been challenged or banned in schools throughout the US. These books are banned on a huge range of reasons, from obscene language to sexual content to violence to the discussion of menstruation. But all of these things are facts of life. Should academic institutions have the power to censor books?
Should schools have armed security guards?
Should schools be protected by armed security guards? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that schools should have armed guards, and that they should not — weighing safety against the risks of guns on campus.
Should schools have dress codes?
i mean stuff like "cover all undergarments, no swearing or inappropriate images or texts" would be fine and a good only rule, but do we really need all the stuff about skirt length, hoodies, shorts, crop tops, ripped jeans, etc. ? I feel like school dress codes are also mainly aimed at female or afab students, and it seems a bit sexist. i could be missing an essential point, but do yall thing stricter dress codes are necessary? What do yall think should be a standard dress code?
Should sex education be taught in schools?
Teenagers receive a constant stream of sexual imagery and information. Whose responsibility is it to equip children and teens with the knowledge to form attitudes about sex, relationships and intimacy? Is it the parents'? Or should educators provide teens with sex education classes in schools?
Should social media be banned in schools?
Should schools ban students from using social media? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that social media should be banned in schools, and that it should not — weighing distraction and harm against connection and learning.
Should standardised testing be abolished
Should standardised testing be done away with? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that standardised testing should be abolished, and that it should not — weighing fairness and stress against accountability and comparison.
Should student loan debt be eliminated?
Global student loan debt consists of 44 million debtors who owe more than 1.5 trillion. For comparison, the USA’s population is 328 million with last years federal debt being 22.8 trillion. Per student, they owe 34,090, per American they owe 59,687. A difference where the student debt continues to rise.
Should teachers carry guns?
With the rise of gun violence and school shootings, many people believe that the school environment can be safer for everyone if teachers carry guns and have a defensive weapon to use against school shooters and other school aggressors.
Should the U.S. mandate year-round education?
Year-round school in the U.S is neither a new concept nor an unusual one. Traditional school calendars and year-round schedules both provide students with about 180 days in the classroom. But instead of taking off much of the summertime, year-round school programs take a series of shorter breaks throughout the year. Should this model be mandated by the government?
Should there be a test to vote?
Voting is an important aspect of political decisions. It decides the outcome of a country for better or for worse. If voting is so important, should there be tests to make sure people know exactly what they're voting for? Or do the civilians of the country have no problem deciding what's best?
Should UK students be charged university fees?
Just over twenty years ago, higher education was free in the UK for any student who secured a place on a university course. Flash forward to today and students graduate with an average debt of £50,000. Critics claim this is wildly unfair and inhibits social mobility. Others claim that high fees improve equality. With both sides aiming to reduce inequality, why do the positions on implementing fees and reducing grants contradict each other?
Should universities be free?
The debate around funding university education is as popular as ever. Many people think universities should be free to increase equality and job prospects for young people. Others think only STEM subjects should be free. Yet other people think universities should not be free at all.
Should universities no-platform controversial speakers?
Universities are meant to be the burgeoning hubs of idea exchange, yet denying controversial speakers a platform on campuses has become increasingly acceptable. Are there good reasons to no-platform inflammatory speakers?
Should university be free?
Should higher education be free to attend? This entry maps the debate, setting out positions that fees should remain, that maintenance loans should rise instead, that funding should target STEM subjects, and that university should be free for all.
Should we have "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance?
In a nation built on freedom, debate has surrounded the phrase "under God" in The Pledge of Allegiance for decades. Does the phrase alienate all those who are not of Christian faith? Or is it simply the continuance of a long-standing tradition?
What are some viable career options for an English major?
A question that every English student ever has received is “Are you going to be a teacher?” To which most of us would reply noncommittally. While it is true that many students who major in English go on to study postgraduate degrees and become teachers, lecturers, professors and the like, it seems that many don’t realise the breadth of career optionsEnglish majors have.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of banning private schools?
This entry maps the debate over abolishing private schools, setting out the opposing positions that banning them would be good — for equality — and that it would be bad, weighing the costs against the benefits.
What are the benefits of private schools?
What advantages do private schools offer? This entry maps the benefits set out across positions — smaller class sizes, an individual-focused curriculum, superior facilities, qualified teachers, university placement, personal development and career earnings.
What are the best research philosophies in academia?
The term research philosophy refers to a system of beliefs and assumptions about the development of knowledge. In layman’s terms, a research philosophy is the choice a researcher makes on how to pursue his research, consciously or subconsciously. Scholars have identified five of the most prominent research philosophies in academia, however, choosing one is a matter of debate.
What are the most useful skills to learn while social distancing?
All this time alone can be frustrating. But let's not forget that Shakespeare allegedly wrote his masterpiece 'King Lear' while in quarantine from the Bubonic Plague. As the titular character in that great play states “Nothing can come of nothing.” Don't despair - use this time to learn valuable skills, so when you do emerge from this pandemic period, you do so stronger, wiser and ready to take on the new world.
What is the best way to study?
In today's fast-paced learning environment, students must develop effective study methods to help them succeed. What works for one person may not work for another. People learn in a multitude of ways, and can learn both in the long- and short-term. So, is one way of studying more efficient than the rest?
What is the fastest way to learn a language?
What is the fastest way to learn a language? This entry gathers the contending strategies — setting clear goals, learning the most useful words, studying smart, daily immersion, real-life practice, cultural learning and self-testing.
Will the coronavirus make outside learning impossible in the future?
The coronavirus has made learning opportunities very difficult these past several months. Schools have closed and become online. Although this is a great solution, there are concerns about not fulfilling the benefits of an in-person class. One concern is how the coronavirus will affect environmental classes, especially for young children. Is it still possible to somehow incorporate learning about nature while everything is online or is it impossible?