(1) American schools should utilize a national curriculum to ensure that all students graduate from the public school system with the same background, knowledge, and skills. (2) Currently, there is a great variation in the content to which students are exposed depending on what schools they attend, where they live, and even how much money families have to invest in education. (3) This observation is particularly evident in English classes because there is a lot of variation between the literature read in classrooms across the country. (4) In 1992, the National Council of Teachers of English gathered data from schools in the United States to research the most frequently required titles in grades 9 through 12. (5) The study found that there are substantial differences between the percentage of public schools covering these titles (ranging from 54% to 84%) and the percentage of private schools covering these titles (ranging from 34% to 74%). (6) While it is true that the most frequently required titles are not necessarily the best or most representative of titles available, a national curriculum can ensure that students may start college familiar with a foundation in literature pivotal to American culture and cultures around the world. Evaluate the argument above, paying special attention to the evidence used. Label each sentence as either fact or opinion.
