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Exposing the Reality Gap: Public Expectations and Boston Public

Exposing the Reality Gap: Public Expectations and Boston Public <p>Although criticized by many, the Boston Public (BP) television show raises important issues about the realities of high school life. At a time when educational policy makers see a need to improve student test scores, this show suggests that other issues are more important in the lives of modern high school students, teachers, and administrators. BP does a service to all who care about the education of our youth by exposing this reality gap - the gap between focusing on accountability for student test scores when those who inhabit today&apos;s high schools are increasingly embroiled in youth issues that have been ignored by families and communities. The authors discuss how three of the show&apos;s themes coincide with the realities of modern high school life: (1) a power shift has occurred in high schools, (2) today&apos;s youth share different sexual norms from those of a generation ago, and (3) modern youth alienation is intensified by modern society. The significance of these realities are contrasted with the current emphasis on improving student test scores.</p> http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The High School Journal University of North Carolina Press

Exposing the Reality Gap: Public Expectations and Boston Public

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Publisher
University of North Carolina Press
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 The University of North Carolina Press.
ISSN
1534-5157

Abstract

<p>Although criticized by many, the Boston Public (BP) television show raises important issues about the realities of high school life. At a time when educational policy makers see a need to improve student test scores, this show suggests that other issues are more important in the lives of modern high school students, teachers, and administrators. BP does a service to all who care about the education of our youth by exposing this reality gap - the gap between focusing on accountability for student test scores when those who inhabit today&apos;s high schools are increasingly embroiled in youth issues that have been ignored by families and communities. The authors discuss how three of the show&apos;s themes coincide with the realities of modern high school life: (1) a power shift has occurred in high schools, (2) today&apos;s youth share different sexual norms from those of a generation ago, and (3) modern youth alienation is intensified by modern society. The significance of these realities are contrasted with the current emphasis on improving student test scores.</p>

Journal

The High School Journal – University of North Carolina Press

Published: Dec 16, 2003

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