Saturday, August 31, 2019

Effective Study Skills are the Sole Foundation of a Sound Education Essay

This essay intends to discuss whether effective study skills are the sole foundation to a sound education. A helpful start is to try to understand what is meant by the term study skills. Wikipedia (2014) defines study skills as â€Å"techniques to assess the individual to be an effective learner† and suggests that â€Å"any skill which boosts a students ability to study and pass exams can be termed as a study skill.† The word, skill, is further explained by Cottrell (2013) as â€Å"†¦a learned activity, something that can be developed through practice.† This suggests that anyone can successfully achieve a sound level of education. If skills such as time management, research skills, written skills and people skills can be learned, then perhaps everyone has the equal chance of success in their chosen topic of study. The C.R.E.A.M. Strategy for learning (Cottrell 2013) allows us to build further on the subject of study skills by looking at the learning process and breaking it down into four areas. It is then easy to see where individual study skills can be applied in the learning process. The acronym C.R.E.A.M. Stands for: C – creative, R – reflective, E – effective, A – active, M- motivation. Looking into each of these areas in more depth may give the student opportunity to examine the factors that may influence the learning process and be able to focus on, develop and apply the skills and strategies that they might find most effective. At the same time, weakness that may hinder the learning process, could be identified and dealt with. It seems to suggest that study skills and strategies can be taught, learned and implemented by any individual, so allowing anyone to gain a sound education by using these learned skills. However, there are many factors that may heavily influence the teaching and learning ofthese study skills in the first place, so affecting the implementation of the skills in order to succeed in education. Taylor (2014) believes that â€Å"in order for a student to learn there, are several factors that must be considered. Most of these factors are external†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Indeed, Mondal (2014) tell us there are seven factors that may influence a student: The intellectual factor ie. (i)the individuals intelligence level; (ii)learning factors such as poor or faulty  teaching or learning methods; (iii)physical factors eg. physical development or defects, sensory defects or general ill health; (iv)mental factors especially attitude; (v)emotional and social factors such as instincts, emotions, cooperation or rivalry;(vi)teachers personality; (vii)environmental factors for example, physical conditions at home or place of study. These factors go some way to identifying what may affect the way in which study skills can be learned and used effectively and of course many more could be mentioned too such as cultural and economic factors. In conclusion, effective study skills are vital for the development and continuing success in the education of an individual. However, the successful learning and implementation of these skills can be so heavily influenced by an abundance of outside factors, that it would be difficult to ultimately say that effective study skills are the sole foundation of a sound education. References Cottrell, S. (2013). The Study Skills Handbook, 4th Edition, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke Mondal, P. (2014). http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/learning 21 March 2014 Taylor, D (January 2014). Factors That influence Student Learning, http://www.educationspace360.com/index.php/factors_that_influence_student_learning, 21 March 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/study_skills 20 March 2014

Friday, August 30, 2019

Multi Fiber Agreement Is The Most Impacted Agreement Signed Economics Essay

Drumhead Multi-fiber Agreement is the most wedged understanding signed on Textile and Clothing Industry. Before the MFA, industries in major importing states were extremely impacted due to the unregulated imports. Since the execution of MFA universe trade on T & A ; C was subjected to quotas. These quotas were negotiated bilaterally and regulated by the MFA. It was chiefly based on the rule of ‘non-discrimination ‘ . Members were agreed to merchandise on selected measures in importing garment merchandises from the developing states. After several treatments, started from Uruguay in 1986 to Geneva in 1994, members of the MFA came to an understanding to get rid of 20 old ages old MFA, in a 10 twelvemonth consecutive procedure. Agreement on Textile and Clothing was granted. ATC was consisted with four phases of taking procedure of MFA ( WTO 2010 ) . Fabrics and vesture, was 16 % comparing with Hong Kong ‘s exports value and rated as 2nd taking fabrication industry. After the abolishing, fabric and vesture industry have to confront the challenges and new chances. In short term state ‘s economic system loosed 3 % of market portion ( 9 % -6 % ) of the international market. The economic system went to downswing and loosed chance in spread outing their exports to developed states. Fabric and vesture manufacturers were non in a place to vie with the international market due to the low capacity of fabrication and export of Textile and vesture merchandises. But some single exporters have achieved competitory advantages by diminishing their costs by take downing labor costs and lay-off the extra workers. Country ‘s supply concatenation direction has besides changed due to the abolishment of ATC. Major providers have to take control in their supplies and they shift their extra production to other industries in order to a void cost from none bring forthing. Sing the chances, ATC abolishing, enabled both importers and providers to offer best merchandises and services. This is anticipated to lowest managerial costs and 40 % of the clip and attempt was used up on antecedently allotments of orders to a high figure of beginnings. It was able to reduced cost per unit and shifts the benefits to their makers every bit good as more chance made to spread out non merely in their part but in other parts. Hence, state ‘s garments industries already established. In the long-term, makers more tended towards sophisticated and high value-added processs, while beef uping relationships with foreign garments purchasers. This was helped them to re-capture their market portion while high competition rose from China. However most of the benefits of the quota riddance went to the consumers in USA and EU. Because the monetary value of one piece of fabric became lower through gap to the competitions and premium by quota riddance addition by the concluding consumers ( Hong Kong ‘s Trade Development Council 2005 ) . The export based garment industry in Nepal was succeeded between old ages 1991-2000. . The United States absorbed more than 80 % of Nepal ‘s entire ready made garments exports before the ATC quota phase-out. The industry was managed to keep 25 % of entire exports yearly. In 2002 it was recognized as the highest foreign currency earner to the state ( US $ 160 million ) . In 2004 ready-made garments were ranked among top two export merchandises. The peak clip of the industry, can be identified as the period of 1994-1995 and reached to a record of 49 % part to the state ‘s entire exports. The industry consisted of 1,067 registered workss every bit good as more unofficial operations. In 1999/2000, employed workers were estimated as 50,000. But after the riddance of ATC, in 2006 it was supplying direct employment for merely 4,450 workers and about 45 % of the employees were adult females. But, harmonizing to 2001 figures, it is about 27 % . The abolishment of ATC was a decease knell to the industry. Export net incomes declined by an one-year rate of 14.2 % ( 2000-2007 ) , and decreased to 21.2 % ( 2005-2007 ) . Export from the USA market and net incomes declined by 18.5 % and 28.4 % severally, during the two periods. The industry was happening hard to vie in the USA market. Companies which were based on the imports of natural stuffs, tended to purchase largely from India and China. This was increased in costs compared with other rival garment bring forthing states. When the Government of the USA imposed quotas on garments imports from developing states, Nepal was an attractive state for Indian exporters who wished to put in garment production to run into their quota lacks and produce garments merchandises to the United States market. In 2004, proportion of the ready-made garments exports comparing to the entire national exports were 17.8 % and 6.7 % in 2007. In 2004, the portion of garment exports to the USA was 13.4 % , but decreased to about 4 % in 200 7. Gradual abolishment of the universe quota government in T & A ; C resulted in backdown of investing by Indian investors who were already invested in garments industry in Nepal and exploited the quotas provided chiefly by the USA to Nepal. Garment industry had experienced a rapid growing from the mid-1980s chiefly, because of their quota installations given by the first universe states such as the United States and Europe. But, the industry was confronting high competition in the universe market in garment industry. When the phasing-out of quotas started from 2005, exports have been already down from 2000/01 except a export recoil in 2002/03. The portion of ready-made garments exports to entire exports decreased from 28.1 % in 1999/2000 to 6.7 % in 2006/07. Hence, domestic entire exports growing was severely declined -1.4 % in 2006/07 from 39.7 % in 1999/2000. Industry ‘s part of the entire national exports to gross domestic merchandise ( GDP ) was 13.6 % before riddance, bu t 1999/2000, it was declined up to 8.2 % in twelvemonth 2006/07 ( Belbase et al. 2009 ) . Indian fabric industry is consisted with ready-made garments, cotton, silk, woollen fabrics and handcrafts. In 1985 the policies were changed and a separate policy statement was started to development for fabric industry. Domestic fabric policy was province in 2001 ( Impact of WTO on Textile Industry in India ) . The 2nd biggest fabrics manufaturer and cotton consumer in the Earth is India. China holds the first topographic point. India is the universe ‘s 3rd largest manufacturer of cotton after China and the USA † ( Impact of WTO on Textile Industry in India ) . It was represented as the starting point for an automatic liberalisation procedure, when former MFA quotas were carried over into the ATC on 1 January 1995. The first phase of the Agreement and the new growing rate was applied yearly in the undermentioned manner when the former MFA growing rates applicable to each of these quotas were increased ( Appendix 6 ) ( Impact of WTO on Textile Industry in India ) . There are some commissariats and committednesss that have to be undertaken in all countries of the Urguary Round since this relate to fabrics dressing. Therefore all members are required â€Å" shall take actions as they may be necessary â€Å" to stay by the subjects of WTO in order to accomplish improved market entree to avoid favoritism against fabrics and vesture imports and to guarantee the application of just and just trading conditions. ( Impact of WTO on Textile Industry in India ) . The elaminating the MFA understanding was impacted to the industry in many ways. When the ATC progressing towards elemination, there were some support by political relations on the many-sided trading system. Decrease on duties besides take topographic point in India for the industry. India belives that the elemination is positive impact on the industrial development in long-run. There are the efficiency additions from extinguishing extremely falsifying quotas that have lead to an inefficient planet ary allotment of fabric and vesture production. There is the loss of quota rents on the portion of ATC exporters. The Agreement on Textiles and vesture was terminated in December 2004. Bilateral quotas removed and all fabrics and vesture merchandises were to the full integrated into WTO regulations. Full application of WTO regulations to international trade in fabrics and vesture was a really positive and long-awaited development for the industries and 1000000s of consumers who will profit from a more unfastened, non-discriminatory and crystalline trading environment in this sector ( Impact of WTO on Textile Industry in India ) . Appendixs Appendix 1: ( Nordas 2004 ) Appendix 2: ( Nordas 2004 ) Appendix 3: ( UNCTAD2008 ) Appendix 4: ( UNCTAD2008 ) Appendix 5: ( Mlachila 2004 ) Appendix 6: ( Impact of WTO on Textile Industry in India ) Phases Year Change Phase 1 1st January 1995 Growth rate increased by a factor of 16 % yearly. Phase 2 1st January 1998 Growth rate increased by a factor of 25 % Phase 3 1st January 2002 Growth rate increased by a factor of 27 % yearly.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Cause of an individual social emotional and behaviour education essay

2. Please use the headers in the box to depict the impact this course/module has had in your professional scene. i. on you This faculty has affected the manner I view and manage pupils in a mainstream scene who exhibit facets of SEBD ; it has given me new ideas and thoughts to research. It has led me to oppugn current behavioral policies and see what instructors can set in topographic point in the schoolroom to supply more effectual schemes. two. on your students For the students I teach with SEBD it has made me more cognizant of possible issues and intercessions and enabled me to prosecute support for them in a more professional mode. three. on your co-workers Colleagues in my module have been interested in cognizing what I am analyzing ; we have had some interesting treatments associating to facets of SEBD. I feel that I have been able to offer some counsel in specific state of affairss with students or at least to promote co-workers to see alternate positions and schemes. four. on the establishment Whilst my school are non funding me for this class of survey and I do non work straight in the SEN section I have been able to lend more to whole school issues associating to kids with SEBD through a working party and within my module. This is an country I hope to develop over the following 2 old ages. 3. Is at that place any other impact this faculty has had? ( eg. on your publicity chances, on your programs for the hereafter ) I have been diffident as to whether I want to travel into specialist instruction in the Fieldss of SEBD or autism ( I am analyzing autism in twelvemonth 2 ) . At the minute, I am go forthing this determination unfastened. As a female parent of a kid with aspergers who is in an EBD secondary school ( as this is seemingly the most appropriate proviso ) this faculty has fuelled my involvement in working with high working ASD kids who exhibit riotous behavior and emotional troubles as this does non look to be to the full addressed in ASD support and education.. 4. What suggestions do you hold about betterments that might be made to the faculty? Some of the log activities have been hard to finish to the full due to the nature of my professional function ( a concern instructor in a big mainstream school ) . It may be interesting to see ways of opening some activities to pupils in similar state of affairss. Although I was pleased by and large with my feedback for the practise assignment, I disagreed a small with the rubric diction as it stated â€Å" A instructor attack you†¦ † and â€Å" the instructor would wish advice.. † and â€Å" depict your attack†¦ † yet we were non expected to give advice straight to the instructor and besides non to be descriptive. I felt the rubric should be clearer particularly in the bid footings and besides outlooks made more expressed as many of us have non written academically for a really long clip†¦ I think some pupils were unsure of what was expected. Please tick the box in each statement that best depict your positions on the acquisition procedure experienced This faculty hasaˆÂ ¦ Strongly hold Agree Disagree Strongly differ Had a positive impact on my acquisition Yttrium Had a positive impact on my professional pattern Yttrium Engaged positively with the content Yttrium Provided me with appropriate counsel on wider reading. Yttrium Given me entree to good coach counsel Yttrium Provided me with an appropriate assignment Yttrium If you have a specific issue that you would wish to discourse separately so delight include your name and contact inside informations or e-mail Dr Visser straight at j.g.visser @ bham.ac.uk: Name: Contact inside informations Understanding the cause of an person ‘s societal, emotional and behavioral troubles is indispensable before you can do a successful intercession. Critically assess this averment in the visible radiation of an activity you have undertaken as portion of this faculty. Introduction Delinquents, moral idiots and maladjusted kids are merely some of the labels historically attributed to persons showing the troubles subsequently termed as emotional and behavioral troubles ( Ministry of Education 1995 ) . In this essay the importance of understanding the causes of an person ‘s societal, emotional and behavioral troubles ( SEBD ) is explored in relation to whether this apprehension is critical for the execution of successful intercessions. This essay chiefly considers persons within the UK educational system which covers children/young people between the ages of 4 and 16. In the survey and instruction of persons with SEBD at that place seems to be a deficiency of uniformity in how the label is interpreted and applied ; the forms and definitions of SEBD will hence be considered along with current tendencies in the figure of school age persons diagnosed as SEBD in order to give context to this country of treatment. Another cardinal country of disparity is the theoretical position adopted when measuring and handling an person with SEBD. The theoretical positions each present a different attack to aetiology and intercessions, these will be considered in relation to importance of caus e in the footing of each and how they lead to intercessions. The cardinal statement will so concentrate on the importance of understanding cause and examine grounds from published literature, research and policies to back up this followed by treatment of why understanding cause may non be indispensable in order to implement successful intercessions. The overall purpose is to determine whether intercessions are chiefly based on consideration of the aetiology of behavior and whether there is grounds to bespeak their success. Indeed Harden ( 2003 ) concluded that there was deficient grounds for scheme effectivity in behavioral troubles. The topic of cause and intercessions was discussed with fellow professionals in a web based treatment ( Vygotsky, Skinner and Montessori treatment group October 2010 & A ; November 2010 ) and mention will be made to the two fictional instance surveies which formed the footing of these practical treatments. In the first a male child, Ronnie, no information was given on his background so the focal point was on the ascertained riotous behavior in school and the instructor believing he has SEBD. In the 2nd an 11 twelvemonth old miss, Vicki, far more item was given including her recent transportation to secondary school ; above norm reading accomplishments, parents separated and with new spouses, the possibility of epilepsy, refusal to make prep and acquiring into problem at school. These treatments elicited a scope of positions on aetiology, the demand for information perchance associating to do and the nature of appraisal and intercessions. In general the contributing professionals show ed a desire to hold more information about each kid and to construe the impact of background factors on the troubles being observed although there was small recognition of why this information was needed ( Farrugia, 2010 ) . What is understood by societal, emotional and behaviour troubles ( SEBD ) ? One of the overruling issues in the field of SEBD is the ambiguity in apprehension and designation of persons who may hold societal, emotional and behavioral troubles with those who have less terrible subject jobs ( Evan, Harden, Thomas 2004 ) . This introduces the first trouble as the determination to sort an person as holding SEBD is with the individual who identifies some facet of behavior as debatable and is reliant on that individual ‘s concepts. Government publications have provided several descriptions of which two are considered in this essay. In Round 9/94 ( DfE 1994 ) Emotional and Behavioural Difficulty ( EBD ) is described as being between: â€Å" behavior which challenges the instructor but is within normal, albeit unacceptable, bounds and that which is declarative of serious mental unwellness. The differentiation between normal but stressed behaviors, emotional and behavioral troubles originating from mental unwellness is of import because each demands to be treated otherwise. † ( p.4 ) The definition focuses on the behavioral facet instead than emotional and indicates it is a job for the instructors thereby curtailing the troubles to educational scenes. Interpretation of what may be considered unacceptable is hence likely to ensue in inconsistent designation of the types of kids instructors identify as holding EBD ( Soles, Bloom, Heath, Karagiannakis 2008 ) . In The Particular Educational Needs ( SEN ) Code of Practice ( 2001 ) , the definition was amended to integrate societal troubles and so expanded to societal, emotional and behavioral troubles ( SEBD ) , the codification defines those with societal, emotional and behavioral troubles ( SEBD ) as: Children and immature people who demonstrate characteristics of emotional and behavioral troubles, who are withdrawn or isolated, riotous and distressing, overactive and lack concentration ; those with immature societal accomplishments ; and those showing ambitious behaviors originating from other complex particular demands ( Paragraph 7:60 ) This description describes a scope of features associated with this upset and recognises that such behaviors can germinate from other particular educational demands. This presents a broader spectrum of behaviors linked with emotional and societal troubles and remains unfastened to the personal reading of those interacting with such kids. The deficiency of lucidity of the forms could be linked to the increasing figure of kids diagnosed as holding SEBD being recorded in English schools. In 2008 149,040 kids had a demand of EBD on school action plus or statemented at primary, secondary and particular province funded schools, this was an addition of 6.98 % twelvemonth on twelvemonth ( DCSF 2008 ) , EBD represented the 2nd highest demand after moderate acquisition troubles. This could be due to an existent addition in the figure of kids sing troubles or to the wider reading of the definition taking to more kids being recorded with this trouble who might otherwise hold remained at a school action phase. Whichever the ground, it is evident that increasing figure of kids within the UK instruction system are being identified as holding a demand of SEBD and this in bend has led to increasing focal point on intercessions in peculiar for behavioral troubles as seen in the recent white paper ( DfE 2010 ) . The descriptions given in Round 9/94 ( DfE 1994 ) and the SEN Code of Practice ( 2001 ) make no direct mention to aetiology or the necessity to admit this although The SEN Code of Practise ( 2001 ) recognises that SEBD may hold co-morbidity with other biological or medical conditions ( 7.52, 7.53, 7.58 ) and links with mental wellness ( 10.27 ) yet counsel for specific appraisal and intercessions is non detailed. This could be seen as declarative mood of the deficiency of integrity on the apprehension of causes and intercessions for those with SEBD. Which theoretical position of cause of SEBD? In 1829 a 20 twelvemonth poet wrote these lines: From childhood ‘s hr I have non been As others were-I have non seen As others saw-I could non convey My passions from a common spring- From the same beginning I have non taken My sorrow-I could non rouse My bosom to rejoice at the same tone- And all I lov'd-I lov ‘d entirely ( from Entirely by Edgar Allen Poe – 1829 ) The poet was Edgar Allen Poe. Poe was taken into surrogate attention at the age of 3 following the decease of his parents and at the age of 6 his surrogate household moved to London. Poe was said to be talented academically yet a hard character ( Poe Museum n.d. ) ; the verse form â€Å" Alone † suggests a troubled kid who considers himself to be different. In today ‘s educational clime he may good hold been identified as a kid with SEBD. Would an apprehension of his early life have been of import in development of successful intercessions? From a behavioral position it could be suggested that merely his discernible hard behavior was of importance and therefore treatable. The causes could non be speculated upon as they could non be scientifically measured. Bowlby, from a psychodynamic attack might hold disagreed ; Poe ‘s early childhood experiences, most notably the decease of his parents and being taken into surrogate attention, may hold suppressed his inner desir es and thrusts taking to internal struggles. Bowlby might hold been interested in the repression of Poe ‘s feelings following the decease of his parents ( Bowlby 1988 ) . An ecosystemic position may hold considered the effects of the alterations of the household systems and the move to a different society in England as impacting on his interactions with the systems around him. In a same vena, the web based treatments of Ronnie and Vicki ( Vygotsky, Skinner and Montessori treatment group October 2010 & A ; November 2010 ) led to similar inquiries. In the instance of Vicki, fellow professionals largely concurred on the acceptance of an ecosystemic position for appraisal based on the information given refering the dislocation of the systems in her life ; some believed that a psychodynamic attack to set up her unconscious procedures and a biological position to analyze the possible epilepsy should besides be considered. However, the intercession schemes proposed were based on a humanistic attack instead than linked to the diagnostic positions. As celebrated earlier for the Ronnie treatment there appears small recognition of why the information was needed and how information may associate to intercessions. In the instance of Ronnie, treatments indicated that more information on countries such as his household background, his larning troubles, incidences of asce rtained behavior at school and the relationships within his household would be valuable in order to do a more informed recommendation for intercession schemes. This desire for more information showed an merger of positions including societal acquisition, psychodynamic and behavioral. Most interesting is that fellow professionals adopted a behavioral attack to intercessions in the absence of farther information about Ronnie. It could be that this was within the kingdoms of their experience of available schemes in instruction. The inquiry of which theoretical apprehension of cause is the right one can non be to the full answered. Professionals in the field of educational research tend to back up a peculiar position ; there are differences of sentiment between psychological, medical and sociological positions, this is further compounded by newer positions such as eco-systemic and humanist which have evolved from earlier theories. As Visser ( 2000 ) notes most make admit that â€Å" it is a mixture of positions which can supply penetrations into understanding and explicating that behavior. † ( p.33 ) . The tendency for which cause can be seen in the changing forms given for SEBD as noted antecedently ( DfE 1994 & A ; SEN Code of Practice 2001 ) and besides in attacks to behavioral troubles adopted by schools. The tendency towards a behavioral psychological science attack of operant conditioning and behaviour alteration as a scheme for handling kids with SEBD has been seen since 1975 ( Cooper 1999 ) . Children are seen as doing a pick non to act and through usage of behavioral attacks such as effect and wages they can be taught to desire to act so a new behavior is learnt ( Greene 2008 ) . From this position, aetiology is non a considered factor and accent is on implementing a system of wagess and effects which aim to cut down unacceptable behavior and promote a re-learning of acceptable behavior. The cover attack of many behavioral policies, in portion dictated to schools through authorities directives, suggest that policy shapers and educationists do non see there is a demand to understand causes of SEBD. Behaviour is assumed to be within the control of the kid and the school is assumed to be able to act upon and alter the behavior. Recent old ages have seen a alteration in attack with prominence given to systemic attacks taking into history the interaction of systems and environments environing the kid as cardinal factors impacting on their societal, emotional and behavioral troubles ( Evans, Harden and Thomas 2004 ) . From this position there is a demand to understand cause in footings of the environments of the person. This was apparent in the web based treatment on Vicki ( Vygotsky, Skinner and Montessori November 2010 ) where subscribers were largely united in acceptance of an ecosystemic attack and attributed the cause of the troubles to break in Vicki ‘s place a nd school life. Understanding the cause of the SEBD is indispensable before doing a successful intercession. In the old subdivision a figure of theoretical attacks to placing cause were examined and it is concluded that there are troubles in happening consensus on one attack and one apprehension of cause. Despite the difference of sentiments of the likely beginnings of the SEBD, there is widespread support of the demand for understanding the cause. Visser ( 2005 ) is opposed to a normative attack to covering with behavioral troubles and therefore supports the instance for recognizing that each kid with SEBD may hold a different cause of SEBD although he antecedently acknowledged that there are still spreads in apprehension of both causes and of attacks used in kids with EBD ( Visser 2002 ) . Others in this field besides advocate the benefits to instructors holding apprehension of students with SEBD ; Cole, Visser and Daniels ( 1999 ) in a paper analyzing effectual EBD patterns in mainstream schools promote the demand for school staff to understand the complex causing and the varied aetiolog y of EBD in order to be able to fit apt intercessions. Another manner of sing cause is to analyze underlying troubles which may be doing SEBD, non from a theoretical position but from a possible medical or other trouble so the behavior is non straight linked to a psychological or systemic root but instead from some other trouble which leads to the behavior emerging as a symptom. Cross ( 2004 ) believes that a relationship exists between communicating troubles and emotional and behavioral troubles. Communication troubles may originate from biological causes such as Pervasive Development Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or from environmental factors such as kid maltreatment and disregard, or from larning troubles. Cross maintains that whatever the beginning, it is the communicating trouble which must be addressed as a precedence as weak communicating accomplishments can hold a negative impact on a kid ‘s ability to interact and socialize, this can worsen emotional and behavioral troubles. In this sense the ascertain ed behavioral troubles could be dissembling implicit in communicating troubles which, if non treated, will non better the behavior. In the web treatment on Ronnie ( Vygotsky, Skinner and Montessori treatment group October 2010 ) chap professionals concurred that a nexus was likely between his possible acquisition troubles and his behavioral troubles and that this should organize a cardinal portion of any intercessions. In his book, Lost At School, Greene ( 2008 ) maintains that instructors can non cognize what to make with disputing behavior unless the grounds for it are understood, mentioning to these grounds as â€Å" dawdling accomplishments † ; those accomplishments which are missing irrespective of diagnosing. Staff need to place and understand the accomplishment missing as this is polar to implementing a successful intercession. Greene ( 2008 ) lists many dawdling accomplishments, including troubles with maintaining focal point, sing likely results, pull offing emotional responses, which professionals may impute to a scope of upsets such as larning troubles, autistic spectrum upset, cognitive troubles, or anxiousness. It is designation of the specific lagging accomplishments which are of more importance than the existent diagnosing as the diagnostic label does non in itself indicate which accomplishments are missing. Emphasis should hence be on placing the particular facets which are m issing ; the deficiency of a accomplishment alongside an environment which demands these accomplishments is the trigger to there being a job ( Greene 2008 ) . This is in line with an ecological position as the behavior is an result of the lagging accomplishment conflicting with the environment. Support for the importance of understanding aetiology is besides found in educational counsel ; the School Discipline and Pupil – Behaviour Policies ( DCSF 2010 ) advises that it is indispensable to guarantee right appraisal of possible grounds for kids non acting suitably and acknowledges that behavioral troubles may be caused by larning troubles, environmental factors or other cognitive, societal or emotional troubles ( paras 3.9.29 -3.9.33 ) ; yet a subsequent subheading is â€Å" Students who can act but take non to † ( p.58 ) . This takes the school back to the forms of SEBD and topographic points reading back in a subjective model where the school has to separate between the former and the latter. In much the same manner as seen in the SEN Code of Practice ( 2001 ) there is a deficiency of lucidity in how cause should be identified and how this cognition should steer intercessions. A recent study entitled Not Present and Not Correct ( Evans, 2010 ) examined the efficaciousness of fixed term exclusions in bring arounding behavioral jobs. The study concluded this was non an effectual scheme based on the figure of fixed term exclusions holding increased by 5.4 % since 2003-4. Persistent riotous behavior was the ground for the bulk of fixed term exclusions ( 23.3 % ) and lasting exclusions ( 29.6 % ) in 2008-9. These Numberss have non shown important alteration twelvemonth on twelvemonth indicating that current intercessions are non effectual. The study recommends that a trigger is needed to motivate a needs appraisal where fixed-term exclusions are used continually. Yet, in the SEN Code of Practice ( 2001 ) this trigger should be go oning for students who do non react to standard behaviour direction schemes or individualised behaviour direction programme traveling them to a School Action Plus phase. This could propose that either appropriate referrals are non taki ng topographic point or, if they are, the resulting intercessions are non successful. If the latter is the instance so it may bespeak that either causes are non being considered or, if considered, are non taking to successful intercessions. The American based Assertive Discipline attack to pull offing behavior in schools is rooted in a behavioral position. A survey by Jones and Smith ( 2004 ) concluded that the this attack was effectual in bettering minor mis-behaviour and led to overall benefits for learning and larning in the school at the Centre of the survey ; yet, a little but important group did non profit from the attack. This group may hence hold required farther individualized appraisal of the cause of their SEBD with single schemes being put in topographic point. This lends support to the necessity of understanding cause in those specific state of affairss where the criterion schemes employed in mainstream schools are non deciding societal, emotional or behavioral troubles. It besides suggests that the importance of cause is non indispensable at initial phases of designation of behavioral troubles, but may necessitate to be understood if current intercession schemes are non accomplishing the coveted result. A cardinal factor in placing the cause of the SEBD lies in the pick of the position adopted. As seen in the web based treatments for Vicki ( Vygotsky, Skinner and Montessori November 2010 ) causes could be attributed to several facets of the person ‘s life. Depending on the attack taken, the diagnosing and intercession will change which means that successful intercession can non be guaranteed. Overall, whilst there is much argument and research on causality and at the same clip turning accent on the rise in behavioral troubles in the schoolroom, schoolroom based research for kids with SEBD tends non to associate theory to designation, policy and effectual intercessions ( Maras and Kutnick 1999 ) . Understanding the cause of the SEBD is non indispensable before doing a successful intercession. All positions consider cause to some extent although a behavioral attack is founded chiefly on ascertained behavior. There is small research recommending that placing cause is non indispensable or of import in footings of implementing intercessions. The statement against the value of understanding cause is chiefly one of whether cognizing the cause can really take to a particular and effectual intercession. Whilst Visser ( 2002 ) advocates the importance of understanding cause, it has proved hard to happen grounds which gives clear counsel for a nexus between cause and effectual intercession schemes. In discoursing the Individual, Medical or Deficit Model ( IMD ) , Macleod and Munn ( 2004 ) suggest that the deduction of causing should be rejected which is the contrary of the consideration of disablements with a bio-medical root. This position is based on the belief that the biggest trouble in placing cause is the deficiency of understanding in what SEBD really is, as seen in the earl ier treatment on the readings of definitions. It could be argued that focal point should be on schemes and non on cause as readings of the cause are excessively subjective. The web based treatments on Ronnie and Vicki, despite dwelling of differing positions for diagnosing and cause, saw a commonalty in the recommendations for a multi bureau attack. This is besides seen in Diagram 8 theoretical account ( Cole, Visser and Daniels1999 ) in which audience with the Local Education Authority ( LEA ) and relevant bureaus, such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services ( CAMHS ) , is seen as an of import factor in schools which are successful in the inclusion of kids with SEBD. Whilst Visser ( 2005 ) has been cited earlier as an advocator of the demand to understand aetiology, in a talk based on a term he encountered in his professional work, â€Å" ageless truths † , he looked at factors which may be cosmopolitan in execution of successful intercessions for SEBD ( Visser, 2002 ) . Understanding cause of the SEBD was non a factor given which lends support to the position that, whilst understanding cause may be desirable and enlightening, there are more of import factors necessary for successful intercession. Merely a 3rd of secondary schools were deemed as effectual in run intoing the demands of students with SEBD ( Ofsted 2004 ) , which suggests that focal point should be on placing effectual schemes. Research carried out by Evans, Harden, Thomas ( 2004 ) concluded that there was a limited grounds base of recommended schemes which were effectual for kids with EBD and they recommended â€Å" a focal point for more strategic commissioning of future primary research†¦ † ( p.8 ) . In the instance of Ronnie ( Vygotsky, Skinner and Montessori treatment group October 2010 ) , there was a quest to cognize more from those measuring the state of affairs. Be it non plenty that his behavior was riotous and so category room based behavioral schemes should be put in topographic point to do Ronnie larn appropriate behaviors? The reply in this instance seems to lie in the apprehension of cause. If Ronnie had a acquisition trouble, there was support for this being addressed first/or in concurrence with the behavior intercessions. If it so emerged that Ronnie was holding jobs at place, such as parental struggle or disregard, this may hold required another signifier of intercession. In the instance of Vicki ( Vygotsky, Skinner and Montessori treatment group November 2010 ) there was more information on her background state of affairs ; this meant some likely causes could be explored which could so take to a scope of possible intercessions. Having more information still led t o a treatment on which position may be more applicable and in fact the intercessions proposed were largely similar to those for Ronnie. Although the participants suggestions for intercessions for Ronnie tended to be school based whereas those discussed for Vicki were both within school and outside with a wider multi bureau attack. Professionals such as instructors, educational psychologists, CAHMS practicians and behaviour support specializers will all convey their ain attacks to the SEBD tabular array. It could be that efforts to understand the cause through a multi-agency scheme may take to confused and confusing intercessions at worst and a drawn-out period of appraisals and interventions at best, neither of which presents an ideal state of affairs for a kid ( Rayner 1999 ) . The scope of readings, societal concepts and positions makes a instance for a scientific attack to developing intercessions for kids with SEBD. The aetiology is acknowledged but it is the present symptomatic forms which are the key to successful intercessions. Conclusion – is it indispensable to understand the cause of an person ‘s societal, emotional and behavioral troubles doing a successful intercession? In seeking an reply to this inquiry, much of the published research advocates the demand to set up the cause of SEBD before implementing intercession thereby presuming the intercession will be more successful. The trouble in this belief is twofold ; foremost the definition of what constitutes societal, emotional and behaviour troubles and in peculiar at what point the badness requires specific intercessions and secondly, which perspectives should be adopted to right place the cause ( s ) and therefore which intercessions are most suited. With the definition of SEBD including a broad scope of features, it seems most likely that there is besides a broad scope of causes and therefore a broad scope of intercessions. Most grounds supports the desire to look into and specify the cause ; this is besides reflected in authorities and SEN policy and guidelines. Yet grounds to back up the importance of this in procuring successful intercession is thin. Overall, whilst the demand to understand the cause seems to be supported in research and advocated in authorities guidelines, the intercessions put in topographic point within educational scenes are preponderantly based on a behavioral attack where it is the discernible behavior which is addressed, measured and evaluated ; this is where an anomaly exists. Over clip, more duty and answerability has been awarded to schools and local governments for kids with SEN including SEBD. This in itself appears to hold reduced the focal point on understanding cause as schools have to pull off this duty alongside authorities directives for bettering behavior in schools. With increasing accent on schools primary answerability being for pupil accomplishment in academic footings and the move to cut down the figure of statements, there is likely to be less accent on aetiology in favor of intercessions based on commanding kids with SEBD – surely in mainstream instruction. The current authorities ‘s support of academies may besides amplify this as the remotion of local authorization engagement means that schools can make up one's mind whether there is economic value in seeking input from bureaus that may hold more concern with aetiology. It may be that there are other factors necessary in implementing successful schemes aside from understanding cause such as the necessity for a positive ethos within the school itself ( Cole, Visser, Daniels 1999 ) . It is concluded that understanding the cause of an person ‘s SEBD is portion of the equation for successful intercession but unless the grownups responsible acknowledge the cause and seek to advance appropriate and differentiated solutions which can be proven to be successful, so understanding on its ain is non sufficient.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Interviews and Standards Investigation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Interviews and Standards Investigation - Essay Example However, I don’t use them to directly dictate notes for students. Is social studies applicable to the learning and development of first graders? Why? Response: Yes, it is extremely applicable to learning and development of first graders. This is because it gives children gain lots of knowledge concerning their nation as well as their general social life. What methods of teaching do you use? Response: In my teaching, I incorporate a variety of learning methods to ensure that my learners understand the content they are being taught. These methods include; use of questions and answers, lecturing, demonstration, discussion and field trips. How many hours should social be studies taught on a weekly basis? Response: According to the social studies standards, the time allocation for 1st grade is 120 minutes per week. Therefore, I follow the standards to the latter, and my weekly lessons are 120 minutes. What teaching aids do you use? Response: I normally use teaching aids such as cha rts and models. For example, models of the globe and dioramas showing some features on the earth. After how long do you assess the pupils? Response: My students are assessed after every topic. However, at the closing stages of every lesson we normally conduct a question-and-answer session to ensure that all students have understood the concept taught. How do you help weak students in the subject? Response: With the help of bright and exceptionally gifted students, I have developed a program set outside the normal class routine. In this program, they are given learning aids to help them understand the subject better. Furthermore, while teaching them, I usually start with simpler concepts before proceeding to complex ones. In this case, they will understand and appreciate the subject. Standards Essay Social Studies denote an integrated study of humanities and social sciences with the aim of promoting civic competence. The major topics of study that have been paid attention to in the 1 st grade Social Studies program are; The Family, Clothing, Shelter, Food as a Basic Need and Proud to Be American. There is thoroughness in the setting of the curriculum. These standards have gone thorough details to ensure that the children in the first grade learn a lot at the end of each topic (Adler, Dougan & Garcia, 2006). Every standard has the objective of making sure that all concepts are understood to depth, and the difficulty level of the concept matches the grade level. The social studies curriculum standards have provided a structure in planning what should be taught in the social studies program not only for the 1st grade but also starting from kindergarten to the 12th grade. This structure provides themes in which students learn about the general human experience in the world. Students are educated to and prepared for the challenges that citizens face in a democratic nation (Adler et al 2006). The standard is organized in a manner that it has time allotments for differ ent grade levels. For the 1st grade social studies, 120 minutes per week have been set for teaching the subject. This helps the teachers to plan and program themselves so as to achieve their goals in time. It ensures that enough time is spent on all tasks to avoid time wasting and over indulgence in one specific area. There is clarity on what a teacher should teach about social studies in first grade the appropriate teaching aids used in the respective subjects. For

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The American government Its Principles Term Paper

The American government Its Principles - Term Paper Example The government of the United States is today still rooted in these five key principles of government. For instance, citizens of California are practicing popular sovereignty through endeavoring to recall Governor Davis (Ross 52). A debate over limited governance has arisen as the federal regime fights for more freedom to probe the personal lives of alleged terrorists (Ross 52). Bills are being proposed on a daily basis in Congress, which the President has veto power to ensure that federalism, checks and balances, as well as the separation of powers are incorporated in every facet of the Unites States government. The government is separated into three branches that are all governed by this principle. The three branches are the Legislative branch, the Executive branch, as well as the Judiciary branch. The American Constitution itself it governed by these principles, which also works in vice versa. This means that the American Constitution and these principles govern each other. This pa per will discuss the major principles of the American government, such as the rule of law and democracy, among others, and provide and analysis of the pros and cons of the issue making use of sources on both sides. Consent of the governed refers to a phrase of the U.S. Declaration of Independence (Lansford 97). Consent of the governed is synonymous with a political concept where the United States’ government moral right or legitimacy to apply state power is only legal and acceptable when founded on the society or people over which that political power is executed. The concept of consent, in the United States, was always compared to the divine right of rulers and has always been invoked against the authenticity of colonialism. Thinking in a similar way to that of English philosopher John Locke, consent of the governed dictates a nation be established upon the consent of equal and free citizens is a country of happiness

Do we live in a celebrity-dominated consumer culture Essay

Do we live in a celebrity-dominated consumer culture - Essay Example "They should not be treated as fodder." But that's exactly how they are treated. MTV executives deny it, but when their young subjects vie for space with J-Lo and Jolie on the covers of People and Us Magazine, it's hard to say the shows aren't glamorizing teen motherhood. At a time when poorer, less educated teens in the U.S. are statistically more at risk of having children out of wedlock, this drive for market share feels predatory and seedy and feeds right into an American culture beset by narcissistic, self-destructive behavior† Tafaro, E. A., & Zuccarello, F. (2012, July-August). Chopped Chef: Celebrity Chefs Have Become Big Business. Not Having Adequate Disability Insurance for Them Can Be a Recipe for Disaster. Risk Management, 59(6), 16+. "If you are a Baby Boomer, you probably remember the cooking show The French Chef. Filmed live and uncut, you could hear the pots and pans bang, oven doors squeak, and chef Julia Child's singsong patter about life in the kitchen. It wa sn't terribly exciting, but Child became a pop-culture icon and was in many ways the first true celebrity chef. But somewhere along the way that tiny kitchen on Julia Child's low-budget set became "Kitchen Stadium" on Food Network's popular Iron Chef series. It became a place where chefs enter a culinary arena like gourmet gladiators, accompanied by blaring music, blinding lights that could illuminate an airport runway and the almost surreal sight of a man hoisting a $100,000 camera on his back while zooming in on the perfect close-up of a stick of butter melting in a frying pan. Today's celebrity chefs are treated like rock stars because they get paid like rock stars, led by Gordon Ramsay... This "Do we live in a celebrity-dominated consumer culture?" essay outlines how media change our values and our consumer needs. "Blum notes, however, that critical demands for "more realistic" media images are ineffectual: "To imagine that there are people who could change the images if they wanted to is to misunderstand the embeddedness of the image producers in a cultural machinery that they don't run but instead merely service. For them, as well as us, the linage and beauty are coextensive" (p. 65). Feminist calls for resistance to the beauty myth are no better, for there is no way to step outside the cultural frame and distinguish between genuine desires and those that are merely distortions of consumer capitalism. Blum cautions that in fact, "[w]e need to transcend feminist criticisms of body practices that can wind up being as shaming as the physical imperfections that drove us to beautify in the first place" (p. 63). I find little to disagree with in this analysis, as fer as i t goes, but find it strange that there is so little explicit consideration of the role of patriarchal structures in the increasingly high demands for feminine beauty. Although it's true that more men seek cosmetic surgery than ever before, Blum offers little discussion of how the need for male approval may influence women's choices to seek surgery. (And having recently read several devastating feminist critiques of the popularity of "labia reduction" and "vaginal rejuvenation" surgeries, I can't help but wonder what Blum's take on those procedures would be.)"

Monday, August 26, 2019

Successful marketing stories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Successful marketing stories - Essay Example Companies like Apple have attained brand equity through constant innovation and excellent customer service. Apple products like iPod are built on advanced communication technology and additional features like e-mail and messaging capabilities, which have increased the level of customer satisfaction. Apple has been able to segment the market by offering products that meet the different customer needs. Apple has been able to implement technology and innovation in all the marketing mix elements such as the price, promotion, place and product. Successful marketing stories Introduction Marketing is practiced nearly in every business in the world regardless of the size of the business or the nature or industry in which the business operates (Hartline & Ferrell, 2010). The basis of all marketing activities is to create and deliver value to the customer (Hartline & Ferrell, 2010). Customer value can be defined as; the difference between the value the customer gains from owning and using the product and the costs of obtaining the product. The first thing all marketers should remember is that successful marketing starts with identifying the right market for the products and services, and designing the appropriate marketing communication messages which are tailored to the particular market and target customers (Hartline & Ferrell, 2010). The marketer should also choose the right communication media, which can either be audio or print, hence, the channel selected should effectively deliver the message to the target customers (Shimp, 2008). The marketer should also strive to do a follow-up of the effectiveness of the marketing strategies by evaluating either the growth in business revenues or market share. This paper will discuss the marketing principles and strategies which successful organizations have used to gain a leadership position in market share in the industry. Marketing is to most sensitive function of the organization since it deals closely with the customers, h ence, creating customer value and establishing good working relationships with the customers is the heart of modern marketing efforts. The paper will discuss the principles of marketing, and how the business can utilize them to gain a competitive edge over the competitors. Thesis statement The success of the business is dependent on the marketing strategies used by the business. Elements of marketing strategy The marketing strategy of a business is composed of various elements which interrelate. The key element is the market selection and the product planning which is choosing the product line and the product offerings for the target market. A firm can either choose a single market strategy or multi market strategy. In a single marketing strategy, the firm will concentrate its efforts in serving a single unique market segment while avoiding competition with the dominant players (Hartline & Ferrell, 2010). In a multi marketing strategy, the firm will serve several distinct markets, h ence, the firm should carefully select the target markets which are viable. In a total market strategy, the firm will offer differentiated products to different market segments; hence, it should utilize the marketing variables like the price, promotion, product and distribution strategies in competing effectively in the entire market (Hartline & Ferre

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - Essay Example Generally Accepted Accounting Principles It is the core responsibility of the board of directors to ensure that the company’s financial statements are honest. The auditors perform a check on these financial statements to ensure that they reflect the true and fair view of the respective organization. An audit tests the authenticity of the financial statements and their validity for use by the public. The internal users of these statements are the management and the board of directors while external users include; shareholders, investors, tax authorities, and the interested public. Therefore, all public listed organizations must make their financial statements accessible for all. Presenting the true and fair view of financial information has faced criticism from analysts due to the recent financial scandals. Disclosing financial statements is an activity subject to fraud and misconduct from the relevant bodies. Financial scandals arise from this disclosure as organizations tend to; misusing funds, overstating the value of organization assets, overstating revenues, understating expenses, or the underreporting the existence of liabilities. Financial scandals are often orchestrated by the organization’s officials, which include the board of directors, who, sometimes, tend to collude with the auditors. A board of directors is an independent body, either elected or appointed, to oversee the activities of an organization. A company’s board of directors must include individuals responsible for the functioning of the accounting department.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Research paper - Essay Example By definition, money is referred to as anything of value that can be used as a medium of exchange (Weatherford, 2009). This is to say that money is that what is used to pay for goods and/or services. This can also take the form of repaying debts at an individual, corporate, or government level. The history of money is highly built on the need to establish a streamlined exchange medium, thus the observed shift from barter trade to the development of contemporary currencies. The history of money makes vital reference to barter trade and barter economies. In many historical barter economies, goods and services were exchanged for other goods and services (Walthall, 2006). However, this form of trade had operational challenges due to the fact that transacting parties had to match their needs or wants in order to trade. Such economies lacked a central exchange medium, but there transactions at the time would fundamentally shape the history of money. At the height of barter trade, the emerg ence of money started being realized. The introduction of shells, stones, beads, and fur as money was observed (Walthall, 2006). The acknowledgement of these things as money revolutionized exchange transactions within and across communities. Business and commerce emerged for people would accumulate the now acknowledged type of money. This followed difficulties in barter trade to have for example a farmer exchange his/her produce with a blacksmith. The introduction of forms of money now allowed traders and people in general to obtain goods and services without necessary having to engage in barter trade. Development of money along its rich history eventually saw the introduction of coin money. Precious metals became the central focus as far as development of money was concerned. Gold, silver, and bronze among other metals were shaped into coins that were easy to carry and transact with. From around 1000 B.C onwards, the use of coin money increased and many societies quickly welcomed t his new development (Del Mar, 2004). In the 11th century, paper money came into the picture and was produced for use in China (Del Mar, 2004). This marked the extensive spread of money within and across all continents. Eventually, bank notes and coins were adopted all over the world, thus becoming the central exchange medium for domestic and international exchanges. In the United States, the use of paper bills dubbed â€Å"greenbacks† was actualized in the year 1861 (Weatherford, 2009). The emergence and development of money was aligned with the fall of civilization around the world. Asia, Europe, and America were the leading factors of civilization. When it came to the development and use of money, they as well led the course. Civilization subject to the money factor had its positive and negative effects. Money essentially made different civilizations realize that wealth could be stored in form of money. Wealth accumulation took its toll, with many civilizations seeking to d ominate this course. Before long, money would be a differential factor in many societies and countries at large. Notably, money contributed and still contributes in enhancing civilization of societies. Although money has critically divided rich and poor civilizations, it has made exchange transactions easy, efficient, and effective. Over and above this, the shift from barter economies to contemporary currency-driven economies has resulted in enormous currency issues. Different economies want to maintain independent

Friday, August 23, 2019

647 W7 assign Project Monitoring Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

647 W7 assign Project Monitoring - Essay Example The third stage responds to any issues or problems detected. The fourth and final stage is outbound communication, keeping people aware of what has happened in the project† (p. 295). For the implementation of mobile application, project proponents are assumed to have undertaken the first stage, which is the collection of information for the current project status. Given that everything stipulated in the implementation phases have been completed, except for integrating thw NLMS to the students’ mobile devices, the information needed to be collected are the access points (mobile numbers of the students) to link their devices to the university’s database. After securing this critical metric, the mobile application with access credentials would be activated, as planned (second stage). Under the third stage, there should be a period to be allotted to address any concerns, issues, or problems related to implementation of mobile application. If any student complaints of the inability to access the site, then, appropriate measures should be undertaken to correct this. Finally, an official memorandum should be issued by the Project Manager to all students, faculty members, support personnel, and the board of directors to communicate that multiple phases, including the mobile application, has been undertaken and is currently duly working according to plans. Another method to communicate the results would be through a formal report to the board of directors or through project status meetings (Kendrick, 2003). The progressive case study was an effective method to inculcate theories from the required textbook to practical applications, using GU as the simulation for real-life scenario. The case study was structured in a strategic manner to enable students to focus on needed concepts, depending on the topic areas that should be imbibed as consistent with the learning objectives of the course.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Cultural framework Essay Example for Free

Cultural framework Essay Aside from individual perceptions and resources available to the individual and the community, interventions aimed at reducing and mitigating the spread of HIV infections must take into account the existence of social support systems in the community and society where individuals are located. For one, the availability of support either from friends, family, or community community influences an individual’s decision to adopt or change his or her lifestyle to mirror the objectives of health promotion programs. At the same time, the behaviors and lifestyles of an individual’s friends, family, or community itself may be promoting values and norms that contribute to HIV risk factors. The experiences of the HIV Prevention Planning Council of the San Francisco Health Department (2004) point to the presence of three negative influences that prevent HIV- affected individuals from seeking counselling and treatment and at the same time facilitate the continued transmission of the disease to the general populace. The first among these factors is the prevalence of drug use (p. 14), which promotes both the acceptability of substance abuse as a form of recreation and risky sexual behavior. These values are particularly dominant among San Francisco’s gay communities, whose population unsurprisingly have the biggest number of HIV infections. A second factor is San Francisco’s liberal culture (p. 13), which means that society may be more permissive of and may condone risky sexual behavior that would be deemed unacceptable in other places. The growing acceptability of risky sexual behavior and the decreasing popularity of condom use becomes a motivation for individuals to engage in activities that expose them to possible HIV infection. Moreover, the liberal culture within San Francisco’s communities may be reinforcing the acceptability of drug use, especially among poorer neighborhoods. Zierler and Krieger (1997, p. 405) note that poor communities may find substance abuse appealing, or at least find it inoffensive, since it serves both as a source of livelihood and as a source of recreation and stimulation. On the other hand, the ironic existence of racist and discriminatory attitudes within liberal San Francisco (San Francisco Health Department, 2004, p. 8) may discourage people of color, gay, and male-to-female transgendered individuals from seeking help when they become infected by HIV due to the fear that they will be doubly stigmatized by carrying the disease. Although San Francisco’s liberal values and attitudes may have negative effects on efforts to curb the HIV epidemic, these same values also provide a positive influence in combatting HIV. For one, San Francisco’s â€Å"progressive thinking and liberal policies† (San Francisco Health Department, 2004, p. 13) also enables individuals infected with HIV to easily gain the support of their friends, families, and communities, which could provide enough encouragement for them to adopt healthier lifestyles. San Francisco’s openness and diversity also allow individuals to create and live their own lifestyles with minimal pressure to conform to dominant beliefs and values which could help individuals avoid popular but negative influences on lifestyle choices. Likewise, the liberal culture within many communities enables individuals to seek support from peers such as the gay community when one’s own family displays reluctance to provide support to the individual affected by HIV. Clearly, HIV intervention programs could utilize the existence of positive social support structures in a society in order to successfully combat HIV. At the same time, these programs must be able to address and mitigate the negative influence of an individual’s social support network, including the values and attitudes of friends or family members which discourage an individual from changing his or her lifestyle to reduce HIV risk and exposure. Works Cited: San Francisco Department of Public Health. (2004). 2004 San Francisco HIV prevention plan. Retrieved February 5, 2009, from http://sfhiv. org/documents/Complete2004SanFranciscoHIVPreventionPlan. pdf Zierler, S. Krieger, (1997). Reframing women’s risk: social inequalities and HIV infection. Annual Review of Public Health 18:401–36.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

John Rawls Ethical Theory Essay Example for Free

John Rawls Ethical Theory Essay On February 21 on the year 1921 a man who’s in the future will be regarded as a prominent philosopher John Rawls in Baltimore Maryland was born. He graduated in Kent School in 1939; Rawls completed BA at Princeton University and received in here his Ph. D. in 1950. Great American Political Philosopher John Rawls was highly considered as an important person at the time, as the most prominent liberalisms’ advocate. He was also working as a Professor at Harvard University in his field of expertise, in the field of Political Philosophy. Rawls’ theory that often calls â€Å"justice as fairness† and its concepts presented in 1971 Theory of Justice, his primary published book. He is also the creator of 1993 Political Liberalism that means distinctive things into different people and The Law of Peoples in 1999. It presents a non-historical or hypothetical variation on the social contract theory. In the said theory, it declares that agents are making a balanced and rational social decision following a certain rule at the rear of â€Å"veil of ignorance†. The said theory makes them able to prevent from knowing in progress what condition and category they will hold. Rawls proclaimed that this method will be beneficial for all the citizens for it will surely produced a society in which the freedom of everyone embrace and their independence will be practiced. His proclamation also emphasized that this will maximize for the entire nation and social disparity will only happen when the circumstances prove that it will benefit a least favored constituents. In brief, what he has done is to combine the very strong principle of social and economic equality. In the issue entitled â€Å"When is creating a turnover situation the right thing to do†, the author, â€Å"MEK†, tells the story an employee who is really doing quite well in the job. However, it is also said that the employer of the said employee although willing to keep him for the job, is not willing and interested in making such investment for the development of the employee’s career. â€Å"MEK† also tells his story in regarding his past employer. In order to understand the situation let me first give a summary of the story. MEK once work as a shift supervisor in a certain company. By that time, the operations manager is really skilled not only in the job but as a leader too. After some time, the shift manager was promoted leaving MEK in charge of the vacant position. MEK works as acting operations manager for about 4 months and it can be said that he is doing a great job with increase in the sales and low turnovers during his time as the operations manager. Suddenly, after more than 160 days of working in the said position, it is said that he is to be replace by fresh graduate of BA degree. The said replacement had absolutely no experience in running a business. MEK is even asked to train the person who is to replace him. Thus, MEK was in actuality upset and decided not to work in the company to any further extent. The presence of ethical issue can be seen in this story. And this presence of issue can be resolved and accomplished using a concept formulated by John Rawls in what appear to us and popularly known as the â€Å"justice of fairness†. According to Rawls, two conditions must be satisfied for social and economic inequalities. First, fair equality of opportunity must be given when it comes to positions and as well as offices that are often to all who can be considered under condition. Second, it has to benefit those that are considered least advantage member of the society. Applying Rawls’s concept in the case of MEK, it can be said that MEK has the right remain as the operation manager of the said company. It can be said that MEK was not given equal opportunity because the company based their decision on the educational attainment of the individual (which is the main basis for most companies), something that MEK lacks. However, MEK had proven that although he does not have a BA degree, he is still able to do the job. Thus, applying Rawls concept in the situation, it would had been in goodwill and favor of MEK. Aside from what had been mentioned earlier, there had also been several concepts of Rawls that are considered of great value and importance in political philosophy. It is believed that John Rawls made an important contribution in the said field. Rawlss work not only attracted the attention of those who are interested and are in the field of philosophy but many other fields as well such as political scientist, economist and even legal scholars and theologians. This only proves that his ideology is well known and regarded as one of the best if not the best. Among all of the works of Rawls, his books of Justice as fairness, his original position, the reflective equilibrium, Rawls’ overlapping consensus, and public relations are the ones that had been given and receive extensive attentions. Rawls is regarded as unique among political philosophers in the contemporary time. Ethics involves the study of norms and values in particular action knowing what is right or wrong and the consequences of it weather bad or good and character virtue and this practices are importance in the fields of governance as well as in business world. Ethics aim was to provide a systematic explanatory account and inquiry that the people may actually have. The use of ethics in business and government world also imply public policy as a way of balancing or weighing relevant considerations usually identified by principles of common use. In my personal opinion, I also believe that in today’s business and government world study of ethics is of great value. In business, ethics examined moral and ethical problems that can arise and take it’s place in a business environment. Through this study, they will able to trace how the corporations conduct business, hold both within and outside workers of the company. Through this company can strengthens its relationship with the employees how they can manage and treat every member the right and most effective way, or workplace ethics, they can also formulate a proper governance, and make policies, decision making, appropriate techniques and understanding individual behavior. In the case of governance, it creates a leadership process and social responsibility to be able to administer and process the system. And so the governance for the organization, like a government would include such common feature such as a clear mission, a good responsibility, accountability, transparency, stewardship, flexibility, representation and most of all they may acquire success. The fulfillment of the organizations mission is a paramount concern be it to make profits do good works or act as a government.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Social networking sites in the work place

Social networking sites in the work place Benefits and problems of social networking sites in the work place â€Å"In the early 1990s, websites were used to share information with other people, though many people felt that this was not personal enough, since it lacked the sense of togetherness. This led to the development of social networking and social networking sites in the early 2000s. This concept was embraced and readily accepted by many people who felt the need for a more personalized way of communicating through the web†. (Sharpened.com, November 2009) Between 2007 and 2009, the craze about social networking and especially social networking sites has grown rapidly and is continuing to grow at a very rapid rate. Accodring to Owyang, social networking sites like Facebook has a high growth rate with more than 60million active users, an average of 250,000 new registrations every day since January 2007 and with an average 3% weekly growth rate since January 2007.(2008)Smith(2008) also states that the number of people using social networking sites has grown by 12% in the last six months from June 2008. The most popular social networking sites include the likes of Facebook and HI5, which according to Smith(2008), together have 59million users(see figure 1); they can also include internal social sites for people working in the same enterprise. Social networking sites are popular because anyone who has access to the internet can join any social networking site seeing as they are free and easy to join. This makes people spend most of their t ime on these social networking sites chatting with friends or just updating their information. This craze has also affected those in the workplace and they find themselves spending a lot of company time on these social sites (some of which are also internal social networking sites) and forget to work. The amount of time employees spend using social networking applications is a major reason why many enterprises do not like their employees using the social networking applications during office hours. I believe that social networking and social networking sites do have their advantages that can be of great benefit to an enterprise; but they can also cause problems for an enterprise. In this paper, I am going to discuss the benefits/advantages and problems/disadvantages of social networking and find out if it is worth having social networking and social networking sites in the work place. Keywords: social networking, social networking sites, social networking applications, Social networking can be broadly defined as a social structure made of people who may or may not have a common interest. WhatisSocialnetworking.com(2009) agrees with this definition by defining social networking as the grouping of individuals into specific groups,although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities and high school, it is most popular online. I can define a social networking site as an internet site where people go to communicate and keep in touch with their friends and family. But according to Boyd and Ellison(2007), the terms social networking and social network should not be used interchangeably seeing as they do not mean the same. They(Boyd and Ellison,2007) decided to use the term â€Å"social network† which they define as, â€Å"[a] web-based service that allows individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bound system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. Social networking has many benefits to both individuals and enterprises. However many enterprises today are still sceptical about whether or not to permit their employees access to social networking sites and their applications; and if they do grant access, they worry about the implications of allowing them to access these sites and applications, in terms of time spent on these social networking sites and using the applications. However, such enterprises should understand that there are benefits to using social networking sites and applications in the workplace that not only benefit the employees but also the enterprise as a whole. Some of the benefits have been discussed below. Benefits of social networking in the workplace There are various benefits of social networking in the workplace and these include: firstly, social networking and social networking sites can be used to enhance the enterprises image. If an enterprise has access to social networks, this can improve its image. According to Kelleher(2009), building [a] strong social network can help a business to improve its reputationand that social networks can boost the image of an enterprise as thought leaders in the field and customers start to acknowledge the enterprise as reliable and excellent source of information/products that meet their[customers] requirements. Also a social network can help an enterprise expand its market research. Social networking sites can be used by an enterprise to increase its customer base. This is true because an enterprise can advertise its products/services to the users of these sites; the enterprise can also use these social networking sites to get new users for its products/services seeing as through the social sites, the enterprise can do a survey of those people who know/use their product/service and then target those who do not know about their Kelleher(2009) agrees with this for he says that using a social networking site like facebook can help a small business target a large audience without having to do much advertising. In addition, social networking sites can be used as a low-cost marketing tool. An enterprise can use social networking sites to advertise itself and its products and services. This is because in most social networking sites, advertising of products/services is done for free and hence the enterprise saves the expenses it would have used on advertising. By having an internal social network an enterprise can keep records of the employees more easily. According to DiMicco et al(2008), a social network can be a new source of information for the enterprise, and new possibilities for understanding the workforce. This can enable the managers at the enterprise to better understand its workforce. Furthermore, social networking sites can help an enterprise to increase its customer base. An enterprise can mine its employees friends on social networking sites and target them as new customers for its products/services. Laudon and Laudon(2007) agree by saying that social networking can be used to expand the number of an enterprises business and social networks/contacts and also to link people through mutual business thereby enabling them to mine their friends for sales leads.This is an effective way for an enterprise to increase its customer base because it may be easier to convince people who have a mutual relationship with your employees to use your product/service than it is to convince people who have no relationship with the enterprise at all. Lastly, social networking can enable the enterprise to reach its target market/customers. an enterprise can use social networking sites to find out who their target customers are. According to Ladoun and Laudon(2007), an enterprise can do this seeing as users of social networking sites reveal a lot of information about themselves when signing up and using these sites and this information can be used to create advertisements that will appeal to their desired target customers/audience. An enterprise can further use social networking sites to have a closer relationship with its customers. An enterprise can form its own group in a social network where all its present and potential customers can join and gain access to the offers and deals that the enterprise has to offer for members of its group only. Kelleher (2009) agrees with this in that he says that social networks provide an opportunity for businesses to reach out and target groups of customers; he also agrees that businesses can encourage customers to join their network of friends in the social networking site in order to access special discounts given only to those customers who are online contacts to the business. Problems of social networking in the workplace The major problem most enterprises have with allowing their employees access to social networking sites is employees spending too much time on the social networking sites thus affecting their(the employees) productivity. Keller (2009) agrees with this as he also says that organizations do not like having social networking in the workplace since most employees spend most of their time on these sites updating their profiles instead of doing their work. Laudon and Laudon(2007) also share the same view as they say, â€Å"members of social networking sites spend hours surfing pages, checking out other members and exchanging messages† To support his argument, Keller uses the example that if every employee in an enterprise comprising of 50 employees spent 30 minutes a day on a social networking site per day, the enterprise would lose 6,500hours of productivity in a year! This is a great amount of time that could have been used to do company work and be productive. Social networking can also lead to tension in the workplace. This is in terms of the relationships in the office. This is because some employees will feel that their colleagues are spending too much time on social networking sites while they are working to cover the workload for those who are on the social networking sites. This causes tension especially if those employees who spend a lot of time on the social networking sites are known by the other Another problem can be that of wastage of companys resources. This is in terms of bandwidth. Most of the social networking site have some content that takes up a lot of bandwidth and if employees access these contents, they use up all the bandwidth making it impossible for other internet users to access the internet. This can also make the enterprise incur more costs because it will have to use more money to create more bandwidth that an support both the social networks content and those of the enterprise(Kelleher, 2009). The third problem of social networking in the workplace, according to Kelleher (2009), is the threat of viruses and malware: â€Å"Hackers are attracted to social networking sites because they see the potential to commit fraud and launch spam and malware attacks. There are more than 50,000 applications available for FacebookSome have the potential to be used to infect computers with malicious code, which in turn can be used to collect data from that users site. Messaging on social networking sites is also a concern, and the Koobface worm is just one example of how messages are used to spread malicious code and worms.† A further problem may be that of social engineering. Social engineering has been defined by*** as Reputation and legal liability Employees may post information that may damage the companys image To prohibit or not to prohibit There is no one solution to the problem of employees abusing their access to social networking sites. Some enterprises have tried using technology and internal controls to control the amount of time employees spend on these sites and the content that they can access. Though this seems to fail seeing as employees are devious people and will always get other ways of accessing these social networking sites wither by bypassing the security measures put by the enterprise or by accessing the sites from elsewhere. This causes a dilemma for the management of enterprises because they know that the world is moving towards social networking as the new mode of communication with customers and the outside world and they also know the benefits their business will accrue due to the use of social networking sites; and they also know the implications they have when they (managers) allow employees free access to these sites. So what options does the enterprise have in its reach? According to Kelleher (2009), an enterprise has three options it can use when dealing with the issue of social networking in the workplace. That is: ban access to social networking sites, set limits and restrictions to use, and allow unmonitored access. i) The first option an enterprise has is total ban on access of social networking sites. This simply means that the enterprise does not allow employees to access any social networking sites from the workplace computers. This option is mainly used by organizations that want to keep the status quo. However most enterprises do not seem to opt for this option because they see it as a sign of no trust in the employees causing them to rebel against the enterprise and be less productive. ii) The next option is setting limits and restrictions for use. This simple means allowing employees access to some of the applications available on the social networking sites. Some enterprises may even go to the extent of only allowing certain employees access to the social networking sites for a limited amount of time. This strategy may not be total useful for an enterprise in that if some employees are granted access to the social networking sites while others are not, it may bring about hatred and jealousy in the workplace making the work environment tense and unfriendly. iii) Allowing unmonitored access. This is when the enterprise allows its employees to access social networking sites at any time and for whatever duration of time. This is the worst strategy of the three in that the employees will now be even more unproductive seeing that they have access to these sites without anybody monitoring what they are doing. This can also turn to be detrimental to the enterprise in that it has no control over the content the employees are posting and passing through the sites since the enterprise does not monitor what the employees are sending. Of the three options, the best would be to setting limits and restrictions for use. However, whichever option an enterprise chooses to use, it must ensure that the enterprises vital and critical information is protected from viruses and malware and from hackers. This can be achieved by having updates anti-viruses, a firewall to monitor and restrict access to certain internet applications, and social networking sites.(Kelleher, 2009) Conclusion Social networking is a concept that is quickly gaining acceptance from everyone in all walks of life from students to CEOs and senior managers of big enterprises. They see social networking as a quick, cheap and effective way to keep in touch and communicate with their friends and family; and customers and employees, in the case of CEOs and senior managers. Social networking sites are both beneficial and risky to an enterprise. The major thing that perturbs most enterprises of today about allowing employees access to social networking sites is that they have no control over the information being passed by the employees. Most social networking sites ask for so much information when one is joining and at times, this information can be used against the individual and may eventually be used against the enterprise. Kelleher(2009) suggests some tips for an enterprise should follow when allowing access to social networking sites; these are:- i) Restrict access. An enterprise can achieve this by controlling the amount of time employees spend on the social sites. One enterprise may allow employees to access these sites during their breaks or before/after office hours. While another may allow its employees to access only certain social sites and only certain applications in those sites that do not take up the enterprises bandwidth. ii) Educate and train employees. Employees should be educated on the implications their activities on the social sites may have on the enterprise because most employees do not know that their actions on social sites can have a great impact on the enterprise. Employees should also be trained on how to recognise suspicious links that may be connected to viruses and malware that could damage the machines and the enterprise network, and that they should not just click nay link they find on social sites. They should also be made conscious of the information they give on these sites and how this information can be used against them and the enterprise. iii) Set security and usage policies. June 2008 December 2008 Total unique total unique visitors(000) visitors(0000 1H08 growth Total internet: total audience 860,511 815,797 5.5% 44.716 Social Networking: Total audience 580,510 516,318 12.4% 64,102 Facebook 132,105 97,792 35.1% 34,313 Myspace 117,582 107,167 9.7% 10,415 hi5 56,367 31,428 79.4% 24,939 Friendstar 37,080 29,735 24.7% 7,345 Orkut 34,028 25,138 35.4% 8,891 Bebo 24,017 21,282 12.9% 2,736 Other 179,330 203,776 -12% -24,447 Sorce: comScore.Inc cited in Smith(2008) Geography: Worldwide References Social Networking, accessed from http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/definition.php?socialnetworking, accessed on 4th November 2009 What is social networking?, accessed from http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com/ accessed on 23rd November 2009 Boyd D. M., and Ellison N.B., Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship, Michigan State University, (2007), accessed from http://consommacteurs.blogs.com/files/socialnetworksites_boyd-ellision_2007.pdf , accessed on 23rd November 2009 DiMicco J., Millen D. R., Geyer W., Dugan C., Brownholtz B. and Muller M., Motivations for Social Networking at work, CSCW, (2008), accessed from http://delivery.acm.org/10.1145/1470000/1460674/p711-dimicco.pdf?key1=1460674key2=0634998521coll=GUIDEdl=GUIDECFID=64533696CFTOKEN=15961752 , accessed on 23rd November 2009 Kelleher D., 5 Problems with social networking in the workplace, Information Management Special Reports, October 2009, accessed from http://www.information-management.com/specialreports/2009_165/social_networking_media-10016208-1.html , accessed on 7th November 2009 Laudon K.C. and Laudon J.P., Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm, 10th Edition, Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN: 0-13-120681-8 Owyang J., Social Network Stats: Facebook, MySpace, Reunion (Jan, 2008), Weekly Digest of the Social Networking Space, (January 2008), accessed from http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/01/09/social-network-stats-facebook-myspace-reunion-jan-2008/ ,accesed on 3rd December 2009 Sinrod E. J., Can social networking co-exist with the workplace?, December 2007, accessed from http://news.cnet.com/Can-social-networking-co-exist-with-the-workplace/2010-1030_3-6223458.html , accessed on 7th November 2009 Smith J., Intriguing trends in Social Networking Growth during 1H 2008, (July, 2008), accessed from http://www.insidefacebook.com/2008/07/27/intriguing-trends-in-social-networking-growth-during-1h-2008/ , accessed on 3rd December 2009

Africa from A to Z :: essays research papers fc

Africa A to Z By: Doug Wilson Algeria Algeria is the second-largest country in Africa. Oil and gas products make up for most of Algeria’s exports. Algeria ranks as the second largest exporter of gas and oil products after Russia. The Sahara desert makes up more than 90 percent of Algeria’s territory. The population of Algeria is approximately 31 million people. The primary language of Algeria is Arabic, although French dialects are also widely spoken. The primary religion of this country is Sunni Muslim. Botswana Botswana has the world’s richest diamond mines. But, unfortunately it also has the world’s highest AIDS infection rate. Over one-third of Botswana’s people suffer from the disease. Although livestock employs seventy-five percent of the population, diamonds are its richest product. The population of Botswana is approximately one million five hundred and seventy-six thousand people. Primary languages spoke are English and Setswana. Their primary religion is made up of about 50% local beliefs, and 50% Christian beliefs. Chad Chad is one of Africa’s least developed countries; it has more than 100 languages, three religions and three types of weather. Chad’s main source of income is cotton and its chief business is cotton ginning. Starting in 2001, a controversial oil pipeline was started in Chad, run by Exxon Mobil, and could bring millions of dollars to the Chad government. The population of the country of Chad is approximately eight million four hundred and twenty-five thousand people. Chad’s official language is French and Arabic, but they also have over 100 other languages in their country. The three main religions are Muslim, Christian and Animist. Djibouti Djibouti is located in Eastern Africa, and borders the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Djibouti occupies a very important location at the mouth of the Red Sea, in relation to over-seeing the shipment of goods into and out of East Africa. Their primary sources of income and export is agricultural products. The population of Djibouti is approximately four hundred and sixty-seven thousand people. The official languages are French and Arabic, but also include Somali and Afar. This countries primary religion is Muslim. Egypt Cairo is the capital city of Egypt. The people of Egypt introduced the idea of irrigation for agriculture from the Nile River. Egypt’s main export income comes from crude oil and petroleum products as well as cotton, textiles and metal products. The Nile River, is known as the father of Africa’s rivers, and is located in Egypt. The population of Egypt is approximately sixty-eight million three hundred and sixty thousand people.

Monday, August 19, 2019

No Child Left Behind Act Essay -- Politics Education School Learning E

No Child Left Behind Act President Bush quoted, â€Å"Clearly, our children are our future†¦Too many of our neediest children are being left behind† (www.ed.gov). The â€Å"No Child Left Behind† Act expands the federal government’s role in elementary and secondary education. The NCLB emphasizes accountability and abiding by policies set by the federal government. This law sets strict requirements and deadlines for states to expand the scope and frequency of student testing, restore their accountability system and guarantee that every classroom is staffed by a teacher qualified to teach in his or her subject area. Furthermore, the NCLB requires states to improve the quality of their schools from year to year. The NCLB pushes state governments and educational systems to help low-achieving and low-efficiency learners in high-poverty schools meet the same academic standards that apply to all other students.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many important aspects of the â€Å"No Child Left Behind† Act. I think the most important area of the act is the parents. Parents play just as an important role to the educational system as anyone else. NCLB expands parental options. NCLB supports learning in the early years, thereby preventing many learning difficulties that may arise later in the student's life. In fact, research shows that most reading problems faced by adolescents and adults are the result of problems that could have been prevented through good instruction in their early childhood years (Snow, Burns and Griffin 1998). NCLB provides more information for parents about their child’s progress. Reading and math assessments are done several times and provide parents with objective data on where their child stands academically. NCLB requires states and school districts to give parents easy-to-read, detailed report cards on schools and districts, telling them which ones are suc ceeding and why. These report cards are detailed with extensive data. NCLB ensures that parents have important information regarding the schools their children attend and whether they are performing well or not. In addition, under NCLB, such schools that are considered low-performing must use their federal funds to make needed improvements. In the event of a school’s continued poor performance, parents have the option to ensure that their children receive the high-quality education to which they are entitled. This... ...dards are one of the main topics of educational and political rhetoric and debate in this decade. One of the major reasons for this controversy is that it is almost impossible to separate standards from assessment of student progress and teacher and school accountability. Therefore, parents are at somewhat of a crossroad.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With the right amount of funding and the proper objectives from government, the education reform could grow to be a huge success. As for right now, it is still under reform, and with certain changes comes certain conflicts. The goal at hand seems to be an effort to put all students, no matter what race, gender, income-status, etc. at the same academic standing as all other students. This is an extremely difficult task with many students being at different learning abilities. President Bush is not going to give up and maintain his fight for better education. Our country, noted as the greatest nation in the world, deserves to give our children the right to an excellent education. The children of today are the men and women of the future. Therefore, the â€Å"No Child Left Behind† Act is a great step forward for teachers, parents and students across the country.