Education Commons^™

Can A Classical Christian Education Help Break Generational Poverty In Urban Students?, Elizabeth P. Porter

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

Although there has been a surge in the number of classical Christian schools in the last decade, there remains a dearth of classical Christian schools serving urban students. Unlike their suburban peers who tend to be more affluent, urban students often suffer physically, academically, and socioemotionally from the ills of poverty. The current study explores whether a classical Christian education (CCE) can help break generational poverty in urban students. Data from three CCE schools will be analyzed to assess quantitative and qualitative markers of success. The former include high school graduation rates, chronic absenteeism rates, and standardized test scores. The …

Elementary Science Instruction In Modern Education And Classical Christian Education, Stefany Faye Ashton-Flowers

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

Though science education is important, science scores are on the decline in the United States. Both public school and home educators generally feel ill-equipped to teach science to their elementary students. This is an expository paper researching how elementary science is taught in modern education and classical Christian education models and the perceived benefits of each model. Research was conducted on the goals, methodologies, and time spent on science instruction as well as class sizes and assessment. Findings show both modern and classical Christian educational models strive to provide the best science instruction they can. The educational models differ concerning …

I Toiled. I Translated. I Was Transformed: How The Struggle With The Dead Language Of The Aeneid Enlightens And Enlivens, Jennifer Coble

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate that the study of the Aeneid by rhetorical Latin students pursuing a classical Christian education (CCE) both enlightens and enlivens the student. It begins by asserting that Latin has been a particularly important conduit of culture and education since classical antiquity. In the modern era, its study has been largely neglected in preference for the study of modern spoken languages and labeled “dead.” To fulfill the purpose of Latin study within a CCE an appropriate teleios must be identified for Latin students that aligns with the purpose of CCE, namely fluency.

This …

Classical Growth Grid: A Proposal For Classical Formative Assessment, Kristen Hampton

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

This research endeavor seeks to explore how to assess a classically educated student. A classical Christian education differs from modern education, and the evaluation of the student must differ. This research focuses on determining how a classical student could best be assessed using strategies already proven by educational research. Overall, there needs to be more tools to equip a classical educator to evaluate students, and the existing tools need to be supported by research. This research seeks to give sound evidence to develop a potential method of classical assessment to measure a student’s academic growth that could be utilized by …

Addressing The Failures Of Modern Math Instruction: Insights From Classical Christian Education, Carol L. Reid

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

Following the Covid 19 pandemic, standardized mathematics test scores for American 4th and 8th graders plummeted dramatically. While many have been quick to blame the sudden and chaotic quarantine-mandated movement onto virtual platforms of learning, the history of American public education reveals a centuries-old struggle for math proficiency amid inconsistent attitudes about the relevance of math, appropriate objectives for math proficiency, and the mechanisms by which numeracy should be evaluated. From the mid-19th century, during what the author will refer to as the modern education era, objectives have endured constant recalibration as oscillating priorities have dictated math skill prioritization. The …

An Expository Analysis Of Textbook Usage In Classical Settings For High School Biology, Kristen Bissontz

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

AN EXPOSITORY ANALYSIS OF TEXTBOOK USAGE IN CLASSICAL SETTINGS FOR HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY

Kristen Bissontz

Southeastern University, Lakeland FL

The classical model of education has reemerged as a viable alternative to the modern education system. Many of the disciplines taught in a classical school, program or home education scenario appear to align with the classical philosophy with the exception of the sciences. This paper serves to uncover if textbooks are the primary source in classical settings, what resources are utilized, and offers suggestions to better align with the classical pedagogy.

A small sample of classical schools and programs in a …

Judicial Rhetoric And The Rhetoric Of Myth In "Till We Have Faces", Maria Wilkening

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

C.S. Lewis is unquestionably one of the more enduring influences in the 20th century, due in part to his personal popularity during his lifetime, as well as to his prolific and approachable oeuvre in wide-ranging genres such as apologetics, fiction, and public debate and address. Lewis has only become more popular since his death, with continued interest building after the more recent development of movie interpretations depicting both his fiction and life. C.S. Lewis’s corpus is certainly vast, and even more has been written about C.S. Lewis and his writings since his death. Strong scholarship exists, particularly in the areas …

Hospitality And Questions In Classical Christian Education, Lynn Doto

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

Christian parents continue to have few education options suitable for kingdom children. While textbooks and test scores hold prominent consideration for many Christian parents, neither cultivate a love of learning nor human flourishing. Rather, it is the language used in the learning environment that invites or repels engagement and learning. An expository exploration of sentence purposes and the type of sentence most commonly used by Christ to engage His learners reveals the power of the question. Appropriately asked, questions welcome learners to actively participate as well as to attentively listen. It is the workhorse of humility, for the question is …

Order, Structure, And Patterns In English Grammar: Utilizing A Classical Christian Methodology, Teresa Lynch

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

Order, structure, and patterns are found in English grammar; however, they are not taught as essentials under a modern pedagogical approach. The classical Christian methodology of education not only teaches the student to recognize these attributes, but also utilizes order, structure, and patterns in the teaching methods themselves. In a world in which education is clearly in decline, a reassessment of educational methods is necessary. This work considers three models of education: modern, classical, and classical Christian. Within each of these pedagogies, the methods used to recognize order, structure, and patterns are also identified. In addition, the results of a …

Utilizing The Classical Christian Study Of Latin To Promote Intentionality, Erin Lamont

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

It is well known that the study of Latin increases English vocabulary, helps one understand grammar, raises standardized test scores, and helps one learn other languages. As modern education sees itself as an agent for change and social reform set on reconstructing society, fewer schools are offering Latin to students. Of those that do offer it, many are veering away from the traditional approach which has a goal of being able to read and connect with the writing of the great thinkers of the past while utilizing a methodology that focuses on grammar and syntax. This paper looks at three …