Text 1: Education researcher Dr. Lisa Park advocates for standardized curricula. "Common standards ensure educational equity," Park argues. "Students in every school district should learn the same core content. Without standardization, children's futures depend too heavily on geographic accident."
Text 2: Teacher and author Michelle Rodriguez values curriculum flexibility. "Standardization ignores local contexts and student interests," Rodriguez writes. "Effective teaching adapts to community needs and individual learners. The best education connects classroom content to students' lives, something rigid curricula cannot accomplish."
Which choice best captures the fundamental tension between Park's and Rodriguez's views?
Equality of content versus relevance to individual contexts
Teacher authority versus student autonomy
Public schools versus private schools
Traditional subjects versus vocational training
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the correct answer. Park prioritizes equal content ("same core content") for equity. Rodriguez prioritizes contextual relevance ("adapts to community needs"). The tension is between uniformity and adaptability.
- Evidence: Park: "same core content"; Rodriguez: "adapts to community needs."
- Reasoning: Both aim to help students but through opposite approaches.
- Conclusion: The core tension is standardized equality vs. personalized relevance.
Choice B is incorrect because autonomy isn't the main issue. Choice C is incorrect because school types aren't discussed. Choice D is incorrect because neither mentions vocational training.