Hypothesizing Exercise 4:
Rededication to Excellence
©1999 Edward G. Rozycki

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edited 8/25/04
Superintendent Janice Short at the opening Fall Board meeting of Hawthorne School District declares that the district is "rededicating itself to excellence."

LINKS TO TABLE OF
HYPOTHESIZING
EXERCISES

Student Directions

A. Formulate several hypotheses why Supt. Short made the statement about the District "rededicating itself to excellence." 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 average SAT combined score for the district is 950.

B. Enrollment has decreased slightly.

C. Average household income for students has gone down.

D. Members of the faculty complain about grade inflation.

E. The Board meeting marks the start of a "Partnership with Industry" by the District.

F. The PTO has vehemently opposed proposed homogeneous grouping for high school classes.


Additional Questions (to be answered after all information is in)

1. Characterize the students who are leaving the Hawthorne School District.

2. What relationship might there be between the "Partnership with Industry" and the opposition to homogeneous grouping in the high school?

3. What do you think is the attitude of the faculty toward homogeneous grouping in the high school, especially those who complain about grade inflation?

4. How secure does Superintendent Short feel in her job?

5. Edmund Spenser, CEO of a local firm, is looking to hire graduates of the School District. Does he favor the proposal for homogeneous grouping?

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