This paper assignment teaches students how to use Zillow to examine data on two comparably sized zip codes. Students extract data on current property values, tax history, and nearby school ratings. Students also apply the major theoretical perspectives on education to theorize about place-based explanations for educational inequality in the selected zip codes.
Learning Goals:
Students demonstrate data literacy using Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/).
Students present and discuss the data they extract from Zillow.
Students can connect theory and readings to Zillow data.
Learning Goal Assessments:
Students use Zillow to find and extract data on home values of comparable properties for each of the selected zip codes.
Students create a table (using a template) of the housing data they extract from Zillow. Students also present these data in the text of their paper and offer a brief discussion comparing the characteristics of the two zip codes.
In the discussion of their paper, students offer potential theoretical explanations for educational inequality in each zip code. Students also can offer place-based explanations for educational inequality by incorporating a discussion of sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, nativity, poverty level, etc.).
At least four (2) peer-reviewed references from a social science journal (s) should be included to support your discussion.
The final paper should be a minimum of 700 words not including references. The paper should use APA citation format, be doubled-spaced, and font size of 11 or 12 using Times or Calibri.
The final assignment can be in the form of a paper or presentation.
The following components should be included:
A brief overview of the characteristics of each zip code
A comparison of the characteristics between the two zip codes
A table of housing characteristics (property value, taxes, nearby school ratings, rental value, HOA fees, etc.)
A brief discussion of how at least two major sociological theoretical perspectives view the educational differences or similarities in the selected zip codes
Response to the question: How can the sociological perspective be used to reduce educational inequality?
Correct citation APA format for any references used
Paper Grading Rubric
20 points – The paper discusses the characteristics of each zip code
20 points – The paper compares the characteristics between the two zip codes
20 points – The paper discusses the characteristics about the educational differences or similarities
20 points – The paper identifies and applies two major sociological theoretical perspectives
10 points – The table of characteristics is included at the end of the paper
5 points – The paper is correctly formatted and contains few grammatical errors
5 points – The references are correctly formatted using APA
Zillow – Housing Data
Zip Code #1
Zip Code # 2
Characteristics
Variable of Interest
Fact and Features
HOA Fee
Annual tax amount
Estimated Market Value
Home Value (Price History)
Listed for sale
Last Sold
Public tax history
Property taxes
2020
2019
Estimated monthly cost
Principal & interest
Mortgage insurance
Property taxes
Home insurance
HOA fees
Utilities
Rental Value
Nearby Schools and Rating
School 1 (score /10)
School 2 (score /10)
School 3 (score /10)
Affordable housing in the United States is measured in terms of percentage of income. The median household income in the US in 2019 was $68,703. What percentage do the homes you selected cost the average American in each zip code?
Housing costs as a percentage of household income
percentage of household income for owners with mortgages (based on est. monthly cost above)
percentage of household income for renters (based on rental value above)