Outline: Proposal Project 3: Education Manifesto (ENGL 220-023)

I. Introduction
(Attention Grabber) Provide contemporary example/examples that convey the current state of
our educational system in America and why it is in crisis; allude to what action(s) are necessary
in order to reform the current state of education. Make clear why the current American
educational system is dysfunctional and the imperative need for reform to make it better. Make
audience aware that the information will be presented in a clear and straightforward manner.
II. Body: What Has Been Missing and What Has Been Praiseworthy?
Main Point: Provide a general overview as to what has been missing or lacking in current
educational practices in America. Provide examples of what has worked well or is looked at as
praiseworthy regarding educational practices in America. Touch briefly on some of the various
ways in which educational practices have both evolved and diminished over the last few decades.
Examples/Details/Explanations:
A. Outdated Modes: Explains and demonstrates how education continually embraces outdated
practices of teaching, especially in America, and has been steadily falling behind over the years.
(outside references as examples, historical context)
B. Whats Working: Explains and demonstrates how teachers and administrators are finding
innovative ways to teach and instill a love for learning in their students. School districts are
working with the community to instill a community-based vision of education. (outside and
classroom references as examples)
C. Educational Outlooks: Explains how educational practices have evolved, attempting to keep
up with the times and expected outcomes by educational professionals. Also looks at the
diminished attitudes and enthusiasm towards education on the whole. (outside and classroom
references as examples)
Body: What Should Education be in America Today?
Main Point: Using the examples from my manifesto, address how education in America should
function and look today. Reiterate what is wrong with the current system and why. Provide
additional examples on theories of education and their pros and cons, incorporating them into
personal view.
Examples/Details/Explanations:
A. Theories of Education: Provide and incorporate a few brief examples of educational theory
throughout manifesto for support. (include pros and cons of theories)
B. Current Trends: Briefly explain how current trends tend to be more harmful than helpful
throughout manifesto for support.
C. Considerations for Change: Use manifesto and ideas within to drive home personal beliefs
on what educational reform in America should look like; or at the very least, where we need
to start. See Educational Manifesto below:
Educational Manifesto: Having had eight years of experience in education and witnessing the
sub-standard requirements by both state and national policies within it, we must begin to bring
about a change for all students, teachers, administration, and parents across America. I believe

that we must make a number of changes within education in order to make it a respectable and
admirable practice once again. My personal beliefs regarding this include:
1) We must first and foremost consider all of those directly involved within the educational
setting on a daily basis; those immersed in the daily operations of the profession.
2) We must reevaluate the current educational system and construct one that excites
children, teachers, administrators, and parents as much as possible.
3) We must guide the goals and curriculum of education towards that which encompasses
learning opportunities that meet the needs of every student in a humanistic way.
4) We must do away with the monotony of standardized testing and the assumption that
every student learns in the same exact ways; the added stress on students, teachers,
administration, and parents to prove that learning has occurred through these
standardized tests is a complete and absurd falsity.
5) We must bring education back to its basic form while embracing new practical methods
and modernity rather than determining intelligence through mandated and outdated
assessments and educational policies.
Body: Audience (Who are you speaking to?)
The targeted audience for this manifesto will be aimed at those interested in educational reform
(i.e. teachers, administrators, parents, and those at a district, state and national level). Although
this manifesto will be presented via a blog, I will be speaking most directly to higher-ups in
education. I feel that, through the option of leaving a comment after reading the blog/manifesto,
others views will be able to promote and add to the conversation of educational reform in
America, particularly my own manifesto.
Examples/Details/Explanations:
A. Avoid overly complicated rhetoric when explaining the need for educational reform.
B. Demonstrate a clear and respectful tone toward the reader in order to entice and involve them
in the reading. Exemplify the importance of educational reform in America and its modern
significance in promoting the well-being of all those involved within it.
C. Explain to the reader how the topic of educational reform in America can be complicated and
will take a great deal of time and consideration before being implemented.
III. Conclusion
Reworded Manifesto:
Briefly reiterate personal manifesto and the need for educational reform in America. Incorporate
one of the clincher ideas mentioned below.
Other Ideas Include:
Reference to outside articles/websites for further understanding of educational reform in
America (e.g. simple explanations, visual representations, videos, etc.)
Referring readers to discussion groups, forums, and meetings found in their local
community that focuses on educational reform.
Encouraging readers to further explore their own understanding and thoughts on
educational reform in order to realize that their voice will make a difference.

Clincher Ideas:
A memorable quote about the limitless possibilities education can provide when faithfully
enacted upon.
Convey a sense of urgency to the reader that encourages them to further explore how to
reform education and make it a model by which they can faithfully stand.
Reiterate the importance of educational reform and how it will affect American children
in a number of ways in the future if we do not act now.
Class References
Gandhis Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth reading from week 10.
Use as a way to relate and exemplify your own beliefs about education.
Montessoris The Secret of Childhood reading from week 5. Use as a way to exemplify
that we were once children ourselves with varying needs and that we need to give
learning ownership back to the child.
Media: Blog w/ Incorporated Video, Photo, and Sound (Illustration of Interpretation)
Main Point: The purpose of the blog is to convey the manifesto in a simplistic, yet information
laden way. The reader will be able to move through the blog in an efficient and timely way,
gaining valuable insight into education reform in America. A brief video with sound will be
included in the blog presentation.
Resources
American Enterprise Institute. "Education for Opportunity: 3 Ideas for American Education
Reform. Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 24 Sept. 2014. 27 Nov. 2015.
Chascherrie. [David Xirau]. "Why I Quit My Teaching Job". 4:15 Communications. 23 Apr.
2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Frost, Allison. "What's Working (and not) in Education". Oregon Public Broadcasting. 2 Apr.
2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Gandhi, Mohandas K. Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth. New York:
Dover Publications. 1983. Print.
Hampton-Cole, Sean. "Whats Missing in Our Classrooms?" Wordpress.com. 29 Nov. 2013.
Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
Montessori, Maria. The Secret of Childhood. New York: Ballantine Books. 1966. Print.
Parents Across America. "Why More Standardized Tests Won't Improve Education.
blog.zazzle.com. 2Sept. 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2015.

Pleasant, Liz. "Watch John Oliver Explain How Absurd the US Standardized Testing System
Is". Yes!Magazine. Powerful Ideas Practical Actions. Web. 8 May 2015. 24 Nov. 2015.
Powell, Andy. "We Need an Education System That Excites Children." Imaginative Minds
Group: Teaching Times. n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2015.
Ravitch, Diane. "New Mexico Teacher: Skandera is No Friend of Education". Wordpress.com.
24 Feb. 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
Ravitch, Diane. "Why Congress Can't or Won't Abandon the Failed NCLB". Wordpress.com. 11
May 2014.Web. 18 Nov. 2015.