Here is the post that almost made me lose it today. Thanks for your patience, third period.

Choose from the following text-specific questions and write it at the top of your Analyzing Details chart:

-What details does Duncan give to support his assertion that, "Closing the achievement gap and closing the opportunity gap is the civil rights issue of our generation"?  What does he mean by achievement gap and opportunity gap?

--Duncan describes "a paradox at the heart of America's efforts to bolster international competitiveness."  What is the paradox and what does he argue is the best path for education in the United States?

--At the end of the passage, Duncan states that these "new partnerships must also inspire students to take a bigger and deeper view of their civic obligations..." What does this suggest about how Duncan wants the United States to think about global competitivenss in terms of education?

What details does Duncan use to support the idea that "education is still the key to...reducing poverty?"

What details support why it is so important that the United States have the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020?  (AND?OR "What details support how we will reach the goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020?")

What details support the claim that "education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world?"

My goal is to have you finish the Analyzing Details chart by the middle of class Tuesday, and then begin to write your Assessment paragraph (using the details to support your answer to one of these questions--that answer will be your claim). 

That Assessment paragraph will be due at the end of class Wednesday.  If you do not finish in class, then it will be homework.