Grade Retention Essay example -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Grade retention, better known as â€Å"staying back†, â€Å"being held back† or â€Å"repeating†, has been the topic of much debate within the educational system. The controversy which surrounds this long-standing issue has been reinforced by such topics as the recent endorsement of academic standards. Research indicates that â€Å"the rate of retention has increased by approximately 40% in the last 20 years with as many as 15% of all American students held back each year and 30-50% held back at least once before ninth grade† (Dawson, 1998). These discouraging statistics pose copious problems within a school system. The difficulties can be appreciated at the organizational level, as well as inside the classroom and, most troubling, within the individual students. The consequences, both positive and negative, reverberate throughout the school system. Grades retention is an issue which requires a prodigious amount of examination and shou ld be considered carefully and thoroughly.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Formally, grade retention is defined as the practice of requiring a student who has been in a given grade level for a full school year to return at that level for a subsequent year (Jackson, 1975). Unofficially, the practice is employed as a tool to enhance the academic or developmental growth for students who are unable to meet the curriculum requirements due to a variety of reasons. These reasons can include decreased cognitive functioning, physical immaturity, social-emotional difficulties and failure to pass standardized assessments. A child may be considered for retention if he has poor academic skills, is small in stature, is the youngest in the class, has moved frequently, has been absent repeatedly, does poorly on prescreening assessments or has limited English-language skills (Robertson, 1997). Additionally, the typical profile of a retained child is more likely to reveal an elementary school-aged student who is a black or Hispanic male with a late birthd ay, developmental delay, attentional problems, low socioeconomic status, single-parent household with a parent who either does not or cannot intervene on behalf of the child (Robertson, 1997; Mattison, 2000). Also seen in retained children are the predictive health factors of hearing and speech impairments, low birth weight, enuresis and exposure to cigarette smoke within the home (Byrd... ...ommended, what should parents do? ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Champaign, IL. Parker, Dennis R. (2001). Social promotion or retention? Leadership, 30 (4),12-16. Jackson, G. (1975). The research evidence on the effects of grade retention. Review of Educational Research, 45, 613-635. Holmes, C. T. (1989). Synthesis of recent research on nonpromotion: A five-year follow-up. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American education research Association, San Francisco, CA. Natale, J. A. (1991). Rethinking grade retention. Educational Digest, 56 (9), 30-34. Slavin, Robert E., Karweit, N., & Wasik, B. Preventing early school failure: What works? Educational Leadership, 50 (4). Darling-Hammond, Linda. (1998). Avoiding both grade retention and social promotion. The School Administrator, 48-53. Byrd, Robert S., & Weitzman, Michael L. (1994). Predictors of early grade retention among children in the United States. Pediatrics, 93 (3), 481-488. Mattison, Richard E. (2000). School Consultation: A review of research on issues unique to the school environment. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolscent Psychiatry,

Media And The Government :: essays research papers

The media can often have a large impact on public opinion. The general community can be swayed based purely upon how the news carries a story. This places a massive responsibility on the media. They must decide what is appropriate and how to address certain topics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the cartoon the author was describing the impact the media can have on presidential races. People, in general, like to know the gossip about candidates. They like hearing the dirt, it brings the nominees down to the level of the common man. Since this is what the press knows the people want to hear this is what they publish. The more inside details the news gives the more people will want to buy their product. This cartoonist was showing the extremes that the media will go to in order to sell their product. The producers of all types of media are not stupid though, if a story has gone on to long or no longer interests the American public they will listen to public opinion and change subjects immediately. In the case of presidential campaigns media producers know that it affects all Americans so they can drag out different topics. Voters demand to know as much about candidates as they possibly can so that when they are in the booth they can make the best possibl e decision. The news has they used polls and realized that people don’t vote because of issues alone. They also vote (or don’t vote) for a candidate because of his personal appearance, attitude, or even actions in the public eye. Since these are all reasons for choosing certain contenders the media can publish stories that have so little relevance to the actual campaign and still sell their merchandise. The author of these cartoons was suggesting that perhaps the media might take things to far at times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Their are certain characteristics that apply to all forms of media that explain their reasons for writing and exploring the issues that they do. The media has been assigned certain roles by society. One of those roles is that of the gatekeeper. This gatekeeper role means that the media decides what issues make news, and for how long they make news. Also, media is supposed to be a sort of scorekeeper. They decide who is winning and losing in political contests. This is very important because it can sway public opinion greatly. Media And The Government :: essays research papers The media can often have a large impact on public opinion. The general community can be swayed based purely upon how the news carries a story. This places a massive responsibility on the media. They must decide what is appropriate and how to address certain topics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the cartoon the author was describing the impact the media can have on presidential races. People, in general, like to know the gossip about candidates. They like hearing the dirt, it brings the nominees down to the level of the common man. Since this is what the press knows the people want to hear this is what they publish. The more inside details the news gives the more people will want to buy their product. This cartoonist was showing the extremes that the media will go to in order to sell their product. The producers of all types of media are not stupid though, if a story has gone on to long or no longer interests the American public they will listen to public opinion and change subjects immediately. In the case of presidential campaigns media producers know that it affects all Americans so they can drag out different topics. Voters demand to know as much about candidates as they possibly can so that when they are in the booth they can make the best possibl e decision. The news has they used polls and realized that people don’t vote because of issues alone. They also vote (or don’t vote) for a candidate because of his personal appearance, attitude, or even actions in the public eye. Since these are all reasons for choosing certain contenders the media can publish stories that have so little relevance to the actual campaign and still sell their merchandise. The author of these cartoons was suggesting that perhaps the media might take things to far at times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Their are certain characteristics that apply to all forms of media that explain their reasons for writing and exploring the issues that they do. The media has been assigned certain roles by society. One of those roles is that of the gatekeeper. This gatekeeper role means that the media decides what issues make news, and for how long they make news. Also, media is supposed to be a sort of scorekeeper. They decide who is winning and losing in political contests. This is very important because it can sway public opinion greatly.

How Does Priestly Present Mr. Birling in an Inspector Calls

J. B. Priestly presents Arthur Birling as a self obsessed, work oriented â€Å"hard-headed business man† in Act1. The stage directions describe him as a â€Å"heavy-looking, rather portentous man† giving an impression that he looks rather threatening. He is very traditional and speaks formally, even around his family. He has worked hard to raise himself up the social ladder and is proud to think that he’s going to be knighted.Even at his daughter’s engagement party, Birling’s head is still wrapped around business and this is evidently shown when he says â€Å"Your father and I have been friendly rivals in business for some time now†¦. and now you’ve brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing†¦. † He also states that the party is â€Å"one of the happiest nights of my life† but this could have a double meaning for not only is Sheila getting married, but it can be seen as a business opportunity.These quotes show that Birling is very work oriented and uses Sheila’s marriage for his own selfish reasons. As well as being selfish, Birling is rather overconfident in his opinions. His mistaken view of the â€Å"unsinkable Titanic† is an example of dramatic irony. This is ironic as the Titanic actually sank but only the audience is aware of this. Another example of the use of dramatic irony is when Birling says â€Å"The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war†¦..I say there isn’t a chance of war† This is also ironic as two years after this play was set, WWI began, followed by another. Priestly uses this device, in this sense to show how foolish and naive Birling is and therefore the audience will begin to question his other views. As he is talking to Eric, he says â€Å"You’ve got a lot to learn yet† suggesting that Birling thinks he knows more than others. We can tell that he lik es the sound of his own voice, when he says â€Å"Just let me finish, Eric.†It implies that he doesn’t want to hear anyone else’s opinions but wants other to hear his. His egotistical personality includes Birling’s ignorance of social responsibility. â€Å"Still, I can’t accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it? † This shows us how selfish and self centered Birling can be. â€Å"†¦. a man has to mind his own business† This quote tells us that Birling opposes to socialism and he shows this throughout the whole of Act I.

Machiavelli’s Cycle of Governance Essay

Ancient Rome such a stable and economically fruitful empire. Concerning the structures of governance as it was in 16th century florence, Machiavelli expressed the opinion that only six forms of government exist that maintain a perpetual cycle of short lived power before sucuming to, what he viewed as a natural end. This is brought about either due to a successful insurection and instalment of a form of government which evolved out of oppression or a form of government that eventually grew to become greedy and corrupt through generational changes. The model Machiavelli presents begins with a society in a ‘state of nature’ or ‘Anarchy’ that exists until the people begin to realise strength in numbers and seek leadership from the foremost individual who assumes rulership, thus evolving into a ‘Monarchy’. The good Monarch is however, succeeded by corrupt rulers who use their power for their own gain and control through ‘Tyranny’. The Tyrant is eventually overthrown by a rebellion and the rebels retain control amongst themselves collectively producing an ‘Aristocracy’. The Aristocrats are then succeeded by a generation that again, begins to use its powers to oppress the people and becomes an ‘Oligarchy’. Like the Tyrant, they are overthrown by the oppressed who then form a ‘Democracy’. As time progresses, order and control dissolve completely until we find ourselves in a ‘state of nature’ or ‘Anarchy’ once again. As Machiavelli saw it, because of man’s propensity to greed and corruption against the collective force of the oppressed victims, the cycle of instability could only ever provide temporal security and was not an effective enough solution. Machiavelli lived in a period of insessent political conflict and social disharmony which provided him with a deep rooted motivation to ensure order and stability could be demonstrated within the system he sought. Machiavelli drew the conclusion that a balance of power shared between a monarchical figure, an aristocratic institution and a democratic institution, as the Ancient Romans had implemented, was the most benificial arrangement in the interest of the state. In order to sustain order, it is necessary to employ the method of ‘checks and balances’, meaning each faction must regulate the other to prevent the accumulation of too power in the hands of an individual or particular group. Today we use the term ‘separation of powers’ to identify this form of self monitoring government. Although critics of this form of power regulation state that it slows up progress, promotes excesses of executive power and unaccountability, those who would champion the method maintain it is an effective means to ensure liberty and democracy while avoiding the possibility of tyranny.

Compare and Contrast of Florida and Hawaii

During the summer and winter, many families like to go on vacations to tropical locations in order to take in the beautiful and amazing sights that they might not be able to experience at home. Two popular places to visit are Florida and Hawaii. While many believe that one beach community is as good as any other, there are many differences between Hawaii and Florida that make them suited for different people, depending on what kind of vacation they want to experience. In particular there are differences in the cultures, weather, and attractions of these two beach communities. Although both Florida and Hawaii are tropical locations, their cultures are far from similar. Florida has a very â€Å"typical† American feel to it. It is rich in busy streets, screaming kids, rude and unfriendly people, and fat-filled restaurants with a cheeseburger always on the menu somewhere. Besides everyone being in a bikini everywhere on a hot, summer day, the people in Florida are really no different than you and I. It may seem like everyone goes to Florida for a vacation to get away from their everyday lives, but they really are going to the same problems in a different location. In Hawaii, however, you become a part of a brand new experience that you have probably never experienced before. Beaches there are not lined from end to end with restaurants and rental shops; instead, they are lined with palm trees and all of their untouched, natural wonders that have been there since the islands formed. In Hawaii, you get away from the â€Å"real† world and get a chance to experience the rich island culture that you might never have known about. The hustle and bustle of the inner city life and the monotonous nine to five job of the suburban life are not seen in Hawaii. It is very relaxed, and every day seems like it is a new adventure waiting for you to discover it. The food in Hawaii is also a departure from something that you could get any other day. There are numerous island foods that you would never find anywhere else, like poi, a bread that is made out of purple potatoes, or Hawaiian shave ice, where they combine beans with a variety of flavors of ice cream. Also, pineapple is a very popular addition to just about anything you could imagine, and the food is usually made to be â€Å"volcano† hot. As far as an escape goes, Hawaii is the perfect place to go to experience an amazing new culture. Even if you cannot tell the difference between the cultures of Hawaii and Florida, the weather easily sets the two apart. As far as tropical locations go, many people expect the weather to be warm and sunny, looking for a perfect day to go to the beach and relax next to the ocean. In Florida, though the heat and humidity is almost unbearable. It makes you want to immediately jump into the ocean to try a cool off under the hot sun. Unfortunately, with the sun beating down on the ocean and the humidity in the air trapping all of the heat, the ocean also heats up very quickly and it becomes more like a hot tub, which is not the most relaxing of choice in the middle of a warm, summer day. With all of the humidity in Florida, it is also very common for a sudden downpour to erupt and leave you soaking wet like you have been in the ocean all day. Despite these flaws in the perfect, tropical weather you expect, when you do get a nice day in Florida, it makes you wish the day would never end and that you would never have to leave. Hawaii’s weather makes the best days in Florida seem like a hot, humid day in Missouri in the middle of August. It barely rains in Hawaii, always leaving you with a nice day to go to the beach or go on a nature hike. Even though it may reach up to 90 degrees, there is very little humidity, so even the hottest of days feels like a comfortable, cool, breezy afternoon. Also, when you want to jump into the ocean and cool off, it is nice and refreshing. Hawaii truly displays the typical weather you would expect out of a tropical island and leads to a relaxing getaway for anyone who wishes to enjoy it. One of the biggest differences between Florida and Hawaii are the attractions they have to offer and what you can do with your time in either place. As you may expect, the major attraction of both Florida and Hawaii are the numerous beaches that populate the two states. Beyond the beaches, however, both Florida and Hawaii offer unique attractions that will amuse people of all ages. In Florida, one of the major attractions is Disney World, a resort designed to let your inner child loose and experience the world of cartoons that you watched as a kid. While many people see Disney World as an amusement park for kids, the park can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There are many other amusement parks in Florida that are â€Å"hot spots† for vacations, such as Sea World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens. Another big travel spot in Florida is the Florida Everglades and Everglades National Park. The Everglades is a massive wetland ecosystem in the southern portion of Florida that offers many people a chance to explore a place they couldn’t find anywhere else in the world. While Florida may have amusement parks and some natural exhibits to visit, though, it cannot compare with the beauty of Hawaii. Hawaii may not have amusement parks, but it makes up for it with all of its amazing, natural attractions. The beaches are beautiful, with crystal clear water that allows you to watch a lot of undersea life without ever putting on a scuba suit. Some of the nature walks that you can go on in Hawaii are simply breathtaking because of all the beautiful scenery that you pass along the way. You can ride horses on the beach, take a submarine ride through the ocean, and, if you are brave enough, even go to the top of a volcano and experience all of the beautiful landscape that actually grows around it. Furthermore, major attraction in Hawaii is the Pearl Harbor naval base and memorial. People from all over the world, even from Japan come to the memorial to see what is left behind from a great American tragedy. You can still see the oil left in the ocean in some spots, and you can walk over a glass bridge that allows you to look down and see a sunken battleship. No matter what you choose to do, you are guaranteed to find something in Hawaii that you could not find anywhere else in the world. Whether it is the food that you eat or the weather you experience, there is a lot that separates Florida and Hawaii. Both places offer a unique experience that you normally would not have in your everyday life. However, you can visit Florida and go to an amusement park with your family and friends; I would recommend seeing Hawaii and experience a culture you may have never seen before.

Texas' war for independence from Mexico and the Guadalupe Treaty Essay

Texas' war for independence from Mexico and the Guadalupe Treaty - Essay Example These expansionist policies were a reflection of aggression on the side of the United States’ administration and can only be considered to have propagated unfairness and injustice on the Native American and Mexican people who lacked sufficient defense mechanisms to protect themselves from the unjust acts of the United States. The Battle of San Jacinto, organized by General Houston, between Texans and Mexicans and was important for the emancipation of Texas from Mexico, and involved a harsh confrontation between who led a group of Texans and Mexicans. Although Houston was later elected as the president in an independent Texas, other individuals such as Stephen F. Austin equally contributed their efforts to ensuring the independence of Texas from Mexico (Hammeken 374). The war lasted less than ten minutes, even as Texans won the victory (Winters 143). This war was critical, as it marked the beginning of the strained relationship between Mexico and the United States, as these two countries shared a common interest of owning the then independent Texas. It was in this regard that Polk commissioned the Mexican War that followed shortly after. The United States wanted to possess Texas, which had just gotten independence from Mexico; but Mexico claimed Texas was still its possession, and this resulted in disagreements between the United States and Texas. This was a major contributing factor to the Mexico-American war that lasted between the years 1846 and 1848, even as President Polk of the United States called for the Mexican-American war as a strategy of achieving the goal of his administration with regard to expansion of the country. Polk did not employ any democratic procedures in negotiating with Mexico over his objectives. Instead, it was coercion and war, which all lead to the victimization of the inferior party, and in this case, Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

MARKETING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MARKETING - Essay Example Conformity may engender a force that in itself threatens to destroy the essence of competition. For competition requires the creation of differential advantage. But competing institutions have a tendency to become alike and to imitate each other, and thereby eradicate the differences that comprise the essence of competition The main opportunities are reduced prices and increased international operations, improved service quality and low barriers to trade. Thus, the main threat is negative publicity and critique of fast food industry and obesity problems caused by restaurants like MacDonald’s (Macdonald’s Home Page 2009). Modern technology is the necessary and sufficient condition for the creation of mass culture. Our society with its mass culture emphasizes higher standards of living and expanding expectations. But this massification has been assailed. Ours has been termed the homogenized, Philistine society. The mass media, television, movies, newspapers, and magazines, which are among the tools of market communication, have been proclaimed the purveyors of a mass culture that has a relatively low common denominator. The tendency to conformity is tempered by dynamism and change. Marketing analysts should be well aware of the significance of sociological factors; they have been described as socio-graphics. Predictions of them give indications of the dimensions of future markets. 2. VALS typology is an interesting and useful tool to analyze customer-based strategies and evaluate their strengths and drawbacks. Thus, this typology is not accurate and objective as it describes only eight types of buyers and market segments. Buyer behavior is more complex that it is described by VALS typology. Economists and marketing people seem to have differing perspectives on the value of life-style concepts and findings. In most economic studies (although these are exceptions), the life style of a