Course Description

The 11^th grade seminar has students concentrate on the sociology of education.  It’s the most theoretical of the seminars, with an emphasis on looking at issues of equity in the current educational system.  Students study how race, class, gender, and disability effect education.  Through a detailed mock trial and a series of debates, students must show a command of the county’s demographics and politics behind education.  Another major component of TLI Seminar III is preparation for college.  Students become familiar with the application process, prepare for the SAT exam, and visit local colleges.  Students return to elementary school classrooms to observe and shadow a different teacher.  They focus on the different elements of teaching by identifying the needs of a diverse mix of students and the variety of teaching styles used to address them.   Students develop their own educational techniques as they teach one-on-one and work with small groups.  Each visit is one hour in length; there are sixteen visits in the 11^th grade year.