Hypothesizing Exercise 1: Attendance Drop
©1999 Edward G. Rozycki
Return to Critical Thinking Menu
Return to Foundations of Education Menu
Return to NewFoundations
edited 9/23/04
LINKS TO TABLE OF
HYPOTHESIZING
EXERCISES
| It is April 21st when Principal Harold Smith of Stanton JHS worriedly realizes that attendance has dropped off over the last three weeks from a norm of 80% down to 72%. "We have to deal with this," he announces at the weekly faculty meeting, reminding his staff of School District policy which allots teachers in accordance with a school's previous year's average daily attendance. |
Student Directions
| A. Formulate at least two hypotheses as to what Principal Smith is up to. Try to formulate competing hypotheses, if possible. |
| B. Can you combine two or more hypotheses within a more powerful hypothesis? |
| C. For each hypothesis determine what information you would need to disconfirm its competitors. |
| D. You will be given additional information. Use it to rule out some of the hypothetical alternatives. |
Additional Information (to be supplied by Instructor)
A. The weather has been beautiful this last month.
B. School District policy does not permit students to be left back two years in a row.
C. Most of the chronic absentees were left back the previous year.
D. Unbeknownst to his staff, Dr. Smith is applying for a position as principal of a large city high school.
E. There is a large city park nearby.
Additional Student Questions (to be answered after all information is in.)
| 1. What does the normal attendance rate indicate? |
| 2. What dilemmas does Mr. Smith face, both institutionally and personally? |
| 3. What would you take to be Mr. Smith's primary concern? |
| 4. What is your estimation of Mr. Smith as a principal? |
| 5. Can you give a fuller picture of Stanton Junior High School? |
TO TOP