Educational policy analysts have found that research-based pedagogical approaches emphasizing collaborative learning and formative assessment appear _...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Educational policy analysts have found that research-based pedagogical approaches emphasizing collaborative learning and formative assessment appear ______ in many school districts: officially adopted yet producing little observable change in actual classroom instruction.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
transformative
underutilized
controversial
mandatory
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Educational policy analysts have found that research-based pedagogical approaches emphasizing collaborative learning and formative assessment appear' |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| 'in many school districts: officially adopted yet producing little observable change in actual classroom instruction.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Research-based teaching approaches exist in an ineffective state in school districts - adopted in name but not producing real classroom changes.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a research finding about educational approaches, then reveals a contradiction between official adoption and actual implementation effectiveness.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The missing word must describe how these teaching approaches 'appear' in school districts
- From our analysis, we know there's a key contradiction: they're 'officially adopted yet producing little observable change'
- This suggests the approaches exist but aren't working as intended
- The word should capture this gap between official policy and actual effectiveness - something that indicates the approaches aren't being fully implemented or utilized despite being adopted
transformative
✗ Incorrect
- 'Transformative' means producing dramatic positive change
- This directly contradicts 'little observable change in actual classroom instruction'
underutilized
✓ Correct
- 'Underutilized' means not being used to full potential or not used enough
- Perfectly captures the contradiction: officially adopted but not producing change because they're not being properly implemented
controversial
✗ Incorrect
- 'Controversial' means causing disagreement or debate
- Doesn't explain why there's little observable change, and contradicts 'officially adopted'
mandatory
✗ Incorrect
- 'Mandatory' means required or compulsory
- This would make the lack of observable change even more puzzling - if required, why no change?