School Improvement in Maryland

Public Release Item: Public Release items have appeared on HSA forms and then are released for public viewing and use. Releasing items is one step to ensuring that schools, districts, and other stakeholders understand how the core learning goals are assessed on the HSA.

Goal 1 Political Systems

Expectation 1.2 The student will evaluate how the United States government has maintained a balance between protecting rights and maintaining order.

Indicator 1.2.2 The student will analyze legislation designed to protect the rights of individuals and groups and to promote equity in American society.

Assessment Limits:

  • Legislation that addresses the rights of individuals and groups: minority and women’s rights, civil rights (affirmative action), and Native American rights.
  • Legislation that addresses immigration policies.
  • Information about the legislation will be provided in the item.

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Use the chart below to answer the following:

A person's request for a permit to open a florist shop in her basement was denied because the only access to the entrance is a flight of stairs.

Which act could be the basis for the denial of the permit?

  1. Equal Pay Act of 1963
  2. Civil Rights Act of 1964
  3. Higher Education Act of 1972
  4. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_122_gov26.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2001

Use the chart below to answer the following:

Look at the cartoon below.

  • Explain how the point of view expressed in the cartoon contrasts with the intent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • Include details to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_122_gov27.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Read the information below.

In 1974, Congress passed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which allows people to inspect school information about themselves and their children, and to challenge incorrect information.

Which of these requests would be granted by the act described above?

  1. a student's request to see the grade point averages of his classmates
  2. a student's request for her grade to be raised so that she can participate in school sports
  3. a parent's request to read a teacher's discipline report on his daughter
  4. a parent's request for the health records of the students in her son's school to be made public
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_122_gov51.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

A public school system would violate federal law if it

  1. required the wearing of uniforms
  2. discriminated on the basis of race
  3. demanded a minimum grade-point average
  4. requested the participation of parents
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_122_gov12.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Which of the following best illustrates the reason Congress passes civil rights legislation?

  1. to promote equity
  2. to establish better legal aid
  3. to solve housing shortages
  4. to increase school funding
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_122_gov54.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2003

  • Describe an action that the federal government has taken to prevent discrimination.
  • How effective do you think this action has been?
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_122_gov57.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

A builder can legally refuse to sell a home to a prospective buyer because of the buyer's

  1. family size
  2. credit history
  3. national origin
  4. religious beliefs
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_122_gov58.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Legislation promoting immigration would most likely cause

  1. a decrease in economic activity
  2. an increase in cultural diversity
  3. a decrease in population growth
  4. an increase in available housing
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_122_gov26.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Which of these best describes a goal of affirmative action legislation?

  1. to encourage young people to go into politics
  2. to promote educational opportunities for minorities
  3. to require employers to provide health benefits to all workers
  4. to establish job training courses for the economically disadvantaged
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_122_gov09.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that all schools receiving federal funds give male and female students equal opportunities in instruction and extracurricular activities.

Which situation is in violation of this legislation?

  1. prohibiting girls from playing varsity football
  2. eliminating boys' and girls' soccer programs due to a lack of funding
  3. requiring the same academic standards for athletes and non-athletes
  4. discontinuing extracurricular activities in order to purchase textbooks
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_122_gov31.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

In 1990 Congress passed a law that gave Native Americans control over Native American artifacts found on federal land.

What was a purpose of this law?

  1. to protect the culture of Native Americans
  2. to fund scholarships for Native American students
  3. to give states control over Native American affairs
  4. to encourage business ownership by Native Americans
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_122_gov03.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Read the excerpt below.

“All persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the...services...of any place of public accommodation...without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, or national origin.”

—Civil Rights Act of 1964

According to the excerpt, a restaurant would be violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if it refused to serve a person who was

  1. talking too loudly
  2. smoking a cigarette
  3. wearing informal clothing
  4. saying a prayer
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_122_gov48.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

“No [business] shall discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability... in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge [firing] of employees...”

—Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act is an example of a government action taken to

  1. protect civil rights
  2. maintain gender equality
  3. promote cultural diversity
  4. establish educational systems
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_122_gov03.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Congress passed a law that requires states to make voting aids or individual assistance available to the disabled and the elderly.

Which of these is most likely a result of this law?

  1. Voters may request ballot instructions in large print.
  2. Voters must vote in the precinct in which they live.
  3. Election officials may ask a voter for identification.
  4. Voting precincts must extend voting hours.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_122_gov12.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

In 1974, Congress passed a law that restricts financial institutions from considering factors such as race, religion, gender, or age when considering an applicant for credit.

This law was most likely passed to

  1. reduce the number of businesses offering financial loans
  2. protect groups of people from unfair business practices
  3. increase the length of time it takes to process credit applications
  4. prohibit businesses from verifying financial information
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_122_gov01.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Which of these was the main goal of the federal government when it began affirmative action programs?

  1. to increase tax breaks for companies
  2. to give job training for minorities and women
  3. to give workers the right to join unions
  4. to increase the numbers of minorities and women hired
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_122_gov27.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

Read the excerpt below.

“No [business] shall discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability… in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge [firing] of employees….”

—from the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990

Based on the excerpt, the Americans with Disabilities Act is most concerned with

  1. social equality
  2. national security
  3. student education
  4. consumer protection
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_122_gov03.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

Which of these actions would most likely violate civil rights laws?

  1. an airline bans smoking on flights
  2. a school system requires a dress code for students
  3. an employer refuses to consider senior citizens for jobs
  4. a police department uses written tests to help select recruits
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_122_gov23.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

A job advertisement includes the statement “We are an equal opportunity employer.”

Which of these best explains what the employer wishes to accomplish?

  1. help people who are trying to get their first jobs
  2. provide on-the-job training for unskilled workers
  3. assist people who have been out of work
  4. treat applicants fairly
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_122_gov01.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of his or her membership in a particular group or class.

Which of these demonstrates an action that would fight discrimination?

  1. eliminating the national income tax
  2. discouraging women’s voting rights
  3. supporting immigration restrictions
  4. increasing opportunities for the disabled
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_122_gov12.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

Read the excerpt below.

“It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any employer [or] labor organization… to discriminate against any individual because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin…”

—The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Based on the excerpt, what is one way the Civil Rights Act of 1964 helps minority groups?

  1. It increased the minority membership in private golf clubs.
  2. It promotes equal economic opportunities for minorities.
  3. It guarantees full-time work for minorities.
  4. It allows minorities freedom of religion.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_122_gov30.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2009

In 1988, Congress passed a law authorizing the payment of $20,000 to each Japanese American placed in relocation camps during World War II.

This law is an example of Congress

  1. protecting national security
  2. maintaining the rights of the majority
  3. upholding decisions made during times of war
  4. recognizing violations of the rights of a minority
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2009_122_gov67.xml

Correct Answer:
D