The name and a brief description of the emergent technology selected (3-7 sentences) A thesis statement (1-2 sentences) Please note that a thesis sentence presents the central idea of the paper. It must always be a complete, grammatical sentence, it must be specific and brief, and it must express the point of view you are taking on the subject. This thesis statement will be included in the introduction of your final report. Check out Purdue's OWL for help on writing thesis statements: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/. Here's the rubric on how you'll be grade:

The Common Core State Standards are hugely influencing school policy and reform, especially in regard to curriculum and instruction. 

Burkins and Yaris (2012) contend that the Common Core State Standards foster critical thinking. They reference the reading anchor standards which can be found here: English Language Arts Anchor Standards.  They note, “A quick scan forces us to notice language like “analyze how individuals, events, and ideas develop” and “interpret words and phrases” and “integrate and evaluate content.” These words—analyze, interpret, integrate– reflect the vernacular of critical thinking, suggesting that the intent behind the Common Core isn’t simply better scores on a particular test, but to impact the lives of students in meaningful, long term ways.”

For your Week One assignment, choose one of the following prompts:

1. Write a three- to five-page commentary (not including title and reference pages) describing your thoughts on the above paragraph. Do you think the Common Core State Standards support critical thinking? If so, support your thinking and provide at least three examples of how teachers can promote critical thinking in their classrooms. If not, support your thinking and provide at least three examples of how the standards need to be changed to promote critical thinking. Also, indicate how you will evaluate students’ critical thinking skills. Read several other commentaries including blogs, op-ed pieces, peer-reviewed articles, etc. Cite at least three scholarly sources and make sure your work is in APA format.
2. Create a PowerPoint presentation for teachers who think the Common Core State Standards stifle creativity and creative thinking. Convince them otherwise by showing them at least five strategies/activities for teaching critical thinking in either literacy or math. Also, show how you would evaluate the students’ critical thinking skills. You must align the strategies/activities to the Common Core State Standards. You must cite at least three scholarly sources and your work must be in APA format. Your PowerPoint must be six to eight slides in length.  In addition, you must create a one-page handout or infographic for the teachers which summarizes your presentation.

Plagiarism – Intentional or unintentional representation of another’s words or ideas as one’s
own in an academic exercise.

Complete a 5-7 page paper (1750 – 2400 words) on the importance of maintaining academic
honesty. This paper must be in proper APA format which includes a title and reference page. This
paper should be a written in limited first person with 3-5 peer reviewed references incorporated
within the body of the paper. You can access the peer reviewed papers

As a reminder, the Title, Abstract, and Reference pages do not count towards the page
requirement.

Two important policy goals of the government and the Fed are to keep unemployment and inflation low, while at the same time making sure that GDP is increasing at an average of 3% per year. It is important to have the right mix of policies and that all the variables be timed perfectly.

Part 1: Assume that the country is in a period of high unemployment, interest rates are at almost zero, inflation is about 2% per year, and GDP growth is less than 2% per year.

• Suggest how fiscal and monetary policy can move those numbers to an acceptable level keeping inflation the same.
• What is the first action you would take as the president? As the chairman of the Fed? Why?
• What would be your subsequent steps?
• Make sure you include both the positive and negative effects of your actions, and include the trade-offs or opportunity costs. 

Include the following concepts in your discussion:

• Demand and supply of money
• Interest rates
• The Phillips curve
• Taxation
• Government spending
• Wages
• Costs of inflation
• The multiplier and the tax multiplier
• The idea of tax rebates to stimulate the economy

Part 2: Assume that the country is in a budget deficit and carrying a very large debt. Discuss the dangers of a high debt to GDP ratio and a growing budget deficit. Would this affect any policy changes you discussed in Part 1?