A Uniformed Education Essay

Even though it is believed that students need to make life decisions based on their own standards, instead of the procedures and guidelines set for them, and that this is vitally critical for them as they grow into adults. Uniforms are a good idea as it causes students to focus on their academics and learning rather than on latest fashions or what the next student is wearing, also to respect themselves, their instructors and each other. Students are more likely to feel safe in schools with uniforms and they are also more inclined to attend classes and perform better academically. Faculty members in an inquiry believed that uniforms increased the learning climate by reassuring morality amongst students, augmenting the communication between teachers and students and bettering the administration of discipline. Many school officials agree that wearing uniforms helps decrease bullying and student detachment, and many educators are convinced that school uniforms increase students’ a bility to thrive in the classroom. As Huss (2007) states, â€Å"School uniforms are tangible; they are seen as a concrete and visible means of restoring order to the classrooms.† Uniforms cause change in appearance and performance while in class. First, students are more likely to feel safe in schools with uniforms and they are also more inclined to attend classes and perform better academically. Students perform better academically when they feel safe and are not threatened in school. There has been a lot of scrutiny concerning school safety, due to the increased activity and violence of gangs in schools. After taking note of these actions (increased violence and gang presence) officials are always considering ways to establish the security of the students and the faculty. King (1998) states, â€Å"Those who fear for their safety in school or on the way to school may not learn effectively, and they may turn to truancy as a viable alternative to facing daily threats of violence.† School safety, a  more disciplined student and student learning is believed to be the outcome if school uniforms would be enforced. Wearing school uniforms helps a school limit the wearing of gang colors, theft and school violence. Enforcing school uniforms should be taken seriously considering the ability of them making a student feel secure and safe to learn. When uniforms are required and worn it makes it easy to identify those that are not from the school or that are actually out of uniform by wearing regular street clothes. Students from schools where uniforms were required reported they did feel more safe and compelled to be concerned more about their education and succeeding in the classroom than to have to identify who was a member or which gang from day to day. King (1998) states, â€Å"Approximately one in four students reports worrying about becoming a victim of crimes or threats at school, and one in eight reports having been victimized at school.† The wearing of school uniforms should be expected in all schools and not just targeted areas; this would increase the true benefit of wearing unifor ms in our education system. Creating a system where uniforms are worn in all schools would limit the thought of a school that actually has a uniform policy in place as being considered a bad school or unsafe to send a child. Uniforms should not be associated with a schools safety and or truancy problems. The safety of our children should be a priority every day. Additionally, teachers in a study believed uniforms enriched the schooling climate by stimulating morality amidst students, augmenting the interactions between the teachers and students and bettering control. Similarly, of the 5,500 principals surveyed as attendees of the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ annual conference in February 1996, more than 7-% believed that requiring students to wear uniforms to school would reduce violent incidents and discipline problems. Moreover, greater than 80% of Long Beach Telegram readers supported uniforms. (King 1998) â€Å"A school reported the effects of wearing uniforms and in the first year alone crime decreased by 36%, sex offenses by74% and physical fights among students by 51%.† (King 1998) Students have shown to behave at a higher standard when in uniform and it also has been reported to have an effect on the interaction between a teacher and student. When in uniform students mannerisms are different and they carry themselves in a higher regard. It is believed that both the students and teachers operate based on the way they are dressed. A school  official has been quoted as saying â€Å"Students here understand why they are in school†; â€Å"Students work hard to complete their assignments†; and â€Å"Students in this school have fun but also work hard on their studies.† (Murray, R. K. 1997) This in no way means that all students will act accordingly and excel academically, but it would assist in creating an environment where both students and teachers were a ppreciative of their school and more considerate to each other. It is believed that teachers interact differently with students when they are clothed in a more uniformed manner. Students have also been noted as having better mannerism and more care in how they handle each other as well as the faculty. Finally, the most important reason uniforms are a good idea as it causes students to focus on their academics rather than on the latest fashions because â€Å"wearing uniforms helps students to get into â€Å"learning mode† and reminds them to respect themselves, their instructors and each other.† (Wade, K. & Stafford, M. 2003) The administrators instantly point out that normally; purchasing school uniforms for a school year can cost between $80 and $90 per child, this cost is lower than what parents would spend when having to buy the designer clothing that a student desires. So, a student and parent would be better off purchasing uniforms financially which is looked at as a bonus in these economic times. Students in a school that requires uniforms are less likely to feel or receive peer pressure because of their lack of the designer clothing that other families may be able to afford. In a climate where uniforms are mandatory your family’s financial situation is not noticeable thus making it a more comfortable learning environment. A parent was quoted saying, â€Å"I know I spent less money and needed far fewer items of clothing for my children when they wore school uniforms.† (Walmsley, A. 2011) This also lessen the occurrence of the morning fights between parents and students as to what to wear for the day the selection is simple and minimal at the same time. At this age youths are at the point of attempt to find their own individuality and ideas of what suits them clothes wise be it baggy or tight jeans, cartooned t-shirts, and political clothing. Getting away from wearing those types of clothing and requiring a uniform causes the student to not focus on what someone is wearing but instead their schooling and academics which is way more important. Fashion should take a backseat when it comes to your education. A youth’s individuality can be expressed in other ways if shown  and at the same time there should be limits set on the possibilities of accessories worn with the uniforms. Students have been intensely wounded and or killed for their designer shoes, clothing and accessories. School uniforms are believed to cut down on these occurrences. Being dressed in a different manner has been shown to cause a different reaction in class and in a student’s day to day life. School climate has been shown to be related to student achievement as well as how students behave and feel about themselves, their school, and other individuals. Furthermore, positive school climate has been identified as a characteristic of an effective school. Given the significant impact of school climate on student achievement, practitioners should consider these new findings when considering implementing a school uniform policy as a means of improving school climate and student behavior. (Murray, R. K. 1997) Requiring uniforms in schools changes the climate and the reaction to learning significantly. Walmsley (2011) states, â€Å"Because students dress in uniforms, they’re reminded that their â€Å"job† is to be a student.† A uniform causes a different behavior and creates such a reaction in the students that their attitudes ch ange automatically. On some occasions students have even decided to opt out of the days allowed for â€Å"street clothes† after they have experienced a school uniform environment. When dressed in street clothes students tend to behave in a manner of â€Å"play† and not take their education as serious. Just as stated before when in uniform â€Å"they’re reminded that their job is to be a student,† it’s presenting them with the idea that during these hours you are expected to give your all and not limit yourself in anyway and behave in a more professional or sophisticated manner much like if they were going to an actual 9 – 5 job this behavior is expected from them. Indeed, while wearing a school uniform does not allow for self-expression some think that students should make choices in regards to life based on their own personal values instead of the precedent and governance chosen for them and this is important for their own well-being and development as they con tinue to grow up. Anderson (2002) states, â€Å"four basic reasons for promoting school uniforms: 1) enhanced school safety, 2) improved learning climate, 3) higher self-esteem for students, and 4) less stress on the family.† Uniforms are a good idea as it causes students to focus on their academics and learning rather than on latest fashions or what the next student is wearing because  wearing uniforms helps students get prepared and ready to learn and it reminds them that certain level of respect is required of them towards their instructors, themselves and the other students. The use and purchase of uniforms can also improve Schools should provide a safe environment for learning. Wearing uniforms could be considered a form of good discipline and causing students to learn and adhere to rules. Calling for uniforms in schools can reduce violence and propel our students into a better category academically in the world as a whole. The wearing of a school uniform may not resolve all or any of the problems that occur day to day in our schools now but there are some other benefits to wearing them and those benefits should be taken into account. (Lester 106-12) With classrooms today needing a more respect for teachers and each other wearing school uniforms can help with that. Conformity should be painless with uniforms being incorporated in our education system, as the guidelines are definite and straightforward. References Anderson, W. (2002). School Dress Codes and Uniform Policies. Policy Report. Washington, D.C.: Office of Educational Research and Improvement. ERIC document ED 471 528. Huss, J. A. (2007). The Role of School Uniforms in Creating an Academically Motivating Climate: Do Uniforms Influence Teacher Expectations? Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 131-39. King, K.A. (1998, January). Should school uniforms be mandated in elementary school? Journal of School Health. p. 32. Murray, R. K. (1997). The Impact of School Uniforms on School Climate. NASSP Bulletin, 81(593), 106-12. Wade, K., & Stafford, M. E. (2003). Public School Uniforms: Effect on Perceptions of Gangs Presence, School Climate, and Student Self-Perceptions. Education and Urban Society, 35 (4), 399-420. Walmsley, A. (2011). What the United Kingdom Can Teach the United States About School Uniforms. Phi Delta Kappan, 92(6), 63-66.

Skeletal Survey

Skeletal survey is a consistently apply series of radiographic images that include the entire skeleton or those anatomical areas suitable for clinical indicators (The Americana College of radiography, 2014). Moreover, it using x-ray beam that pass through the patient electromagnetically to capture and take many x-ray images of body from the skull to feet (Adam ,2017). In addition, radiography skeletal survey are necessary in many clinical conditions such as , Skeletal dysplasia's, disseminated infections, metastatic bone disease, multiple myeloma, suspected child abuse and many other pathologies in pediatric. The most common indication of it is child abuse. According to centers for disease control and prevention (2009), child abuse is any act or series of act or neglect from the parent or other care provider that harm the child. Child abuse is one of the common problem which can find in the social and ethnic borders. For instant, in 1993, US the third National Incidence Study of Child Abused shown that approximately 1,553,800 children in United States were abused. Therefore skeletal surveys are applied to determine the physical injuries in children according to specific guidelines. Furthermore, the skeletal survey performed on suspected abuse to provide enough anatomic detailed to image the skeleton of them or any young patients. However, there are special stander that published by American college of radiology that mention there were special film cassettes and intensifying screens to reduce the radiation exposure and they mention that low dose enough for chest and abdomen however its insufficient in some part like rib, metaphysical and other high specific injuries. Also it should provide without an anti scatter grid and faster general for especially thicker part. Nowadays, digital or computed radiography are used in most hospitals for pediatric imaging. DR and CR produce high quality image as it replace the traditional film/screen imaging. DR produce high quality image because it is lower in spatial resolution tan traditional film/screen imaging. Also the ability of doing post processing provide the ability to modify the image to avoid repeating the examinations and provide the ability to compare in diagnostic performance for skeletal imaging. Moreover, it provides the ability to select low exposure value to reduce dosage with producing high quality diagnostic image.

Language Intervention Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Language Intervention - Research Paper Example An analysis of past historical literature and texts gives clear answers to the gender differences in language use. Some may tend to argue that relying on previous researches of other researchers may tend to lead to prejudice and preconception hence inaccurate information. Such claims are just unfounded comments of lay people. The subordinate role women play in the society started many years ago. From the history, literacy among women in the nineteenth century was only among the middle class and above. Women were limited to only being able to write and read, and they were denied opportunities to get a higher education. There were those who believed women’s importance of acquiring education in the society and tried to champion for women’s rights. Individuals have different ways of speech which are determined by their age, ethnic group, social class, and gender. Regardless of the gender, man or woman it’s prudent to assert that the person adjusts him or herself so as to ‘blend in’. That is; our speech is influenced by many factors. It is the belief to some that the noted differences in languages have no relation to the sex of the speaker.It is due to the lack of an agreeable analysis method of language use. However, others are entirely convinced of differences that exist between the speech of men and women. A lot of researchers tend to associate women with words revolving around topics of psychological and social processes while men to impersonal topics and object properties. That is.

Development of A HRM Strategic Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Development of A HRM Strategic Plan - Assignment Example The basic functions of HRD are attracting best candidates, reducing employee turnover, and to enhance the productivity of the employees (Taylor, 2005, p.1). It is a critical factor that contributes highly towards gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. One of the most important aspects of an HRM strategy is to determine the type of candidate required in the organization carry out organizational tasks. Also organizations arrange various kinds of programs for the purpose of satisfying their employees, and the responsibility for arranging it also falls in the shoulders of the human resource department. HRM strategy also plays a crucial role in the overall organizational culture. Furthermore training and development is also one of the most important functions of the Human resource department. In the context of the project a property management company has been chosen where the new HR strategy will be developed. The HR strategy will focus on the different aspects of managing the human resource of the organization. It will also emphasize on the recruitment strategies of some other organizations in order to formulate a competitive strategy. In order formulate a sound HRM strategy of the organization and to add more value to it, the HRM strategy of 3 other companies have been analyzed. However the names of the companies have not been disclosed due to some privacy policies. In order to get insights about the strategies of the chosen companies an interview session was held. The sample questions that were asked to the HR managers of those companies are follows:- Regarding leave policy there are a small differences among the chosen companies. Company A allows 28 leaves in a calendar year, company B allows 25 leaves while Company C allows 30 leaves in a calendar year. Also these companies allow special leave on

304 Final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

304 Final - Essay Example Over and above standards, the Lake Havasu Fire Department excels in most areas of testing for career advancement and in areas of personnel development. Steve suggested that recruitment begins with job postings on well-known job search websites, through word-of-mouth advertising by current employees and through a city-sponsored job pool consisting of qualified applicants who completed preliminary testing. This preliminary testing is offered to community citizens who have undertaken the state-mandated fire training and are seeking a position within the unit. Validation of these credentials is part of the selection process by making contact with references or other certification grantors in this field of study. In this department, the recruitment process is extensive and involves screening of high volumes of candidates simply to select a single employee from the candidate pool. In order to achieve promotion within the unit, especially to an administrative level, several tests must be completed which test abilities in spatial relations, management and leadership, clerical abilities, and other necessary job functions. Steve offered that these tests come from both the state level and from years of alterations which were built from benchmarking best practices of other firehouses across the country. This department is a regular subscriber to several magazines which describe internal organizational activities in modern fire departments and use some of the tips and suggestions to change testing procedures or structures. In order to achieve promotion, success in areas of physical fitness must be proven. These tests are developed for preliminary job screening and selection as well as to ensure that weight and health are congruent with department or governmental expectations. Physical fitness is a large part of the weekly job responsibilities of the department workers

Science ommunication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Science ommunication - Essay Example Science communication programmes and activities have a very important role to play for developing a scientifically informed and attitudinally rational society. Sustained science communication efforts play a key role in enhancing level of public understanding of science and thus empowering them with useful knowledge. This can be done by way of interpretation of scientific knowledge and scientific concepts to the public through different mass media - print, broadcast, folk, interactive or digital. One such initiative on the web is http://whyfiles.org. The message may comprise of written words, spoken words, body language signs, icons or symbols. Sometimes, Noise may get embedded with the message, if the channel is not robust and reliable. A noisy message in turn may not communicate the intended thoughts to the receiver. Therefore great emphasis is laid on the medium as well, as Marshall McLuhan's famous saying goes, 'the medium is the message'. The mission statement of 'why files' says: "The mission of The Why Files is to explore the science, math and technology behind the news of the day, and to present those topics in a clear, accessible and accurate manner. We are based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but The Why Files covers science at all institutions that engage in scientific exploration and discovery."1 Strengths: Founded in 1996 as part of the National Institute for Science Education with funding from the National Science Foundation, the Why Files has been supported through the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 1998. The support, financial as well logistical is the prerequisite for sustenance of any science related venture, because science in general is not a blue eyed boy of business community and we must not expect open hearted patronage from this sector. Whatever comes is

Pros and Cons on Proposals of Canada Electoral Reform Essay

Pros and Cons on Proposals of Canada Electoral Reform - Essay Example iii). Arguments rejecting mixed member proportional system iv). Comparison of proposed mixed member proportional system in Canada and New Zealand v). Conclusion Pros and Cons on Proposals of Canada Electoral Reform Proposals on Canada electoral reform have sought to address concerns on political representation. In the recent past, pundits and politicians have engaged in debates, which have sought to address democratic deficit. Critics have noted voting trends that are alarming. For example, 1997 and 2000 federal elections, it emerged, that the number of citizens who did not vote exceeded the number that voted the winning party (Tanguay 5). This is among the paradigms that the proposals on electoral reforms have sought to address. While observers and Canadian politicians agree that electoral system needs an overhaul they disagree on the approaches that seek to give a solution to the problems. A growing number of Canadians believe that FPTP electoral system is inherently unfair because it fails to reflect the wishes of the voters. In addition, Canada inherited the system from the colonial master. In the system, the colonialist had instituted it in order to serve his own interest at the expense of the colonized. The proponents of electoral reform observe the following in relation to the FPTP electoral system. ... Second, the FPTP system promotes regionalization, which makes the citizens to build various perceptions about some provinces of the country. For instance, West is either Conservatives or Reform and the Ontario is a liberal bastion (Tanguay 4). The divisions that emanate from principle views of the political system should not create regionalization. It is arguable that a given region may vote the winning party or the opposition party. However, not every individual in the region voted for these two positions. In this sense, regionalization deprives the democratic gains. A voter has a choice; however, the choice should not determine the region where the voter should belong. Third argument about the FPTP is system is that it allows the governing party to dominate the political sphere for the four-year period, which creates marginalization in parliament. The citizens and the critics of this system believe that other political representatives should address their concerns in the parliament (Stephenson & Tanguay 8). On the contrary, this seems not to be the case, politicians representing the opposition interest seems to lie in the cold while the mainstream politicians address issues in the parliament. The forth argument against electoral reform is that the politicians constituting the House of Commons does not reflect on the voters choice. Ideally, citizens vote in order to send a representative who can address their concerns. However, lack of representation in the House of Common shows that the voting process wasted a large a big number of votes casted if the constitution of the House of Common does not reflect the voters’

UK Financial Services - Case Study on Borrowing Coursework

UK Financial Services - Case Study on Borrowing - Coursework Example Santander UK is an independent division that manages its own operations with a local management team. The bank has its headquarters in London and was opened in 2011. Santander’s 123 product range was ranked as the third best banking service in UK in 2013. During the same year, customers ranked the bank as the best financial service provider in UK in terms of customer satisfaction. The Nationwide BS is also an alternative and is a British financial organization ranked as the largest building society in the world. Although the institution specializes in mortgage loans and savings, it also provides services such as credit cards, bank accounts as well as insurance services. In February 2014, the company’s credit rating stood at A2 according to Moody and A with Fitch Ratings (Wachter, Cho & Tcha 2014, p.46). Santander UK offers The 123 Credit Card that allows customers to use the credit card along other loyalty cards. Additionally, the card allows users to cashback faster with up to three family members who reside near the client’s address. Similarly, the card is contactless and its users can make purchases wherever they come across the contactless symbol. When a customer pays his or her balance in full and on time at the end of each month, the service provides them with up to 56 days during which they can make interest free purchases (Rezaee 2011, p.124). The Capital One Aspire Elite credit card accommodates users who earn more than  £50,000 per annum. The card gives a 5% cashback on all purchases done within the first 99 days of opening the account. However, this cashback is limited to a maximum of  £200. After the above period, users earn 1% cashback for all successive purchases up to a total of  £15,000 that increases to 2% for purchases ranging from  £15,000 to  £50,000. Additionally, a 1.35% cashback is given to users who spend more than  £50,000 per annum. However, these rates are

Principals of Finance for the Public Sector Essay

Principals of Finance for the Public Sector - Essay Example This paper will review some of the current issues facing the health care sector. Also, it will look at some of the policies being implemented with their impact on public finance. Health care cover is needed the world over to ensure that there is access to quality health care. Health care cover requires that all members of a region get access to medical facilities. This implies that there is the provision of medical services to people provided they come from that region. In many developed countries, today, it is possible to find that every citizen receives health care benefits without too much money required. The United States is among the developed countries that does not have this for its citizens (Gunnar, 2007, p. 45). This has often been a subject of debate for the nation, and its delegates. There are principles that govern the running of finance when it comes to the health care reform. One of these principles is medical coverage for all the citizens in a country to ensure the improved state of health of all people. This means that, for all government servants, it is vital to have medical cover to ensure that they are taken care of when they fall sick, or are in need of medical care (Gunnar, 2007, p. 56). It helps individuals whenever a situation arises that may need urgent medical attention. Another principle is the provision of medical health care to all citizens without the presence of any financial barriers. This is for citizens within the borders of a country. This principle ensures that citizens in a country enjoy affordable medical care for their medical problems. To make sure that they get this without bias or discrimination, there have been forums that address the plight of minority groups in countries. For example, in the United States, there are forums that seek to speak on the dilemma of the

Nursing Case Review of 15 Year Old Girl Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nursing Case Review of 15 Year Old Girl - Essay Example Based on this information sexual health is a very broad subject that include information relating to ones own body and how its works, knowledge of the physical, emotional and social changes that take place during puberty, pregnancy, youth and ageing. Further, it includes the precautionary measures that are aimed at protecting sexuality of yourself and others, and measures that can be put in place when the safety is broke in instances such as unplanned pregnancy, rape, or sexually transmitted diseases. In essence, it will also entail information relating to responding to children’s sexual exploitations and behaviours to the level of understanding and maintaining safe and happy adult relationships (HealthInsite, 2011). Adolescence and sexual changes Sexual health is a life long part of human beings that accompany them from conception, birth, childhood, adolescence to adolescence. Adolescence is a period of life that is marked with the greatest sexual changes within the body of a person. It is marked by rapid numerous hormonal changes that transform the body of a girl into that of a woman and a boy into man. Thus, it is a transition period between the childhood and adulthood. In this stage, the general calmness and peacefulness of childhood is replaced by a rush of biological sensations, emotions, feelings, social challenges, and interpersonal questions that were never there before (Newton 2010). These transformations make an individual to start relating with other individuals of the same and opposite sex in different new ways that may involve sexual contact and intercourse. Revelation of sexuality brings many joys and physical pleasures but may turnout to be a very risky and destructive human behaviour. Sexual health issues outcomes When an adolescent engage in sexual contact and intercourse many outcomes may arise, thus for our 15 years old girl the following outcomes were possible. First, there is possibility of conception, which leads to unplanned pregn ancy (Weiss, 2009). This was a very likely outcome since studies have shown that age of first sexual intercourse is an important determinant of pregnancy risk with 46% of teenage girls and 22% of teenage boys who engage in their first sexual experience before the age 15 years having been involved in a pregnancy (Ehiri, 2009, p378). This outcome can be even worse especially where two teenagers (like in this case of a 15-year-old girl having unprotected sex intercourse with her 19-year-old boyfriend) who just began their sexual activity experience. Considering that this girl and her teenage boy friend they had not used any contraceptive during the intercourse unplanned pregnancy could have resulted which would have made her not likely to complete school education, more likely to face limited career and economic opportunities, and less likely than older women to obtain timely prenatal and postnatal care (Ehiri, 2009, p378). Research further show that babies from teenage mothers are mor e likely to be preterm, have low birth weight, and also are at greater risk of serious and long-term illness, development delays and death in the first year of life (WHO 2006). This mainly because they may have many issues to contemplate before starting a family or may even lack any means of sustaining one (Cherry 2001). With the rapid hormonal

Crime Against Women in Ncr Essay Example for Free

Crime Against Women in Ncr Essay The Delhi-NCR region has thrown up numerous such instances of police apathy in rape cases. When asked to explain the rising instances of rape, the cops have invariably blamed the women, an array of extraneous factors or resorted to specious arguments instead of looking inwards and focusing on police reforms. The most disturbing aspect of this is the rank misogyny that underlies it. Crime against National Capital Region is alarming. Usually every day a single case of rape is reported in every city area of India. So it is wrong to say NCR alone. But The National Capital Region has become a hub for rapes and sexual assaults. In 2010, as many as 414 rape cases were reported in Delhi, the highest among 35 major cities in the country. At least three women were raped or molested in the national capital. A total of 128 cases of molestations and rapes were reported from Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad in the first 45 days of the year. Delhi/NCR Often been called the rape capital of India. Why is Delhi Indias most dangerous city for women? May be because Chaotic growth, bad policing and a judicial system close to collapse. Recently A 23-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and gang-raped in a moving car by a neighbor and his friends in Noida A woman was gang raped by five youths, who also thrashed her boyfriend in Kamla Nehru Nagar in Ghaziabad.  A 14-year old girl was raped by a neighbor in Mehrauli in south Delhi. And The 23-year-old Girl, who worked at a pub in a mall in Gurgaon, had alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a group of six men. In view of gang rape incidents recently in Gurgaon Police tells women Dont work after 8pm: Deputy Commissioner P. C. Meena has issued many Do’s and Don’ts to women to avoid eve-teasing and molestation. What tops his list is the criteria that women should not be out in the public after 8 PM. As per to his orders, now shopping mall and pub owners and those running shops and commercial establishments have been asked to not to keep women employees on duty beyond 8 in the evening. If women employees are detained on duty after that, it should be with the permission of the Labour department. Instead of implementing stringent laws to curb the few rapists out there, the Gurgaon Police decided to uproot all the women from their work places by 8’o clock in the evening. This curfew clearly reflects the authority’s attitude towards women. There is an obvious attempt to restrain women’s freedom, but apart from that legitimizing 8 PM as the standard time for women to be out of the public areas has rather put them in more danger. Instead of ensuring for safety for women, the Gurgaon police have imposed limitations on them. He said women employee are deputed on duty during the night shift, that is, after 8PM, her safe transportation from her home to place of duty and vice versa will be the responsibility of the employer who will have to keep a daily record of the vehicle used, its registration number, time of departure, name of driver who is entrusted the task of picking up or dropping the women employees. Meena made it worse by stating that if these instructions were not followed, then case will be registered against the pub and mall owner as well. What the Gurgaon police seems to have did is giving a free pass to the rapists to do their thing post 8 in the night. Any woman now who is out after the official curfew of 8 would do nothing but ‘invite’ men to sexually harass her. The police forces have shed their responsibilities of making Gurgaon safer by playing the classic card of holding the women responsible for being raped. Who are responsible for all this Our society is deeply gendered Apart from physical abuses, psychological violence against women in the form of social insults, coercion in family, eve teasing in streets and public transports on daily basis is not less humiliating, On the reason behind such violence against women, he says that violent behavior against women does not erupt all of a sudden. Men and women undergo different process of socialization. Men take up gendered roles that by themselves involve domination and control, where as women are assigned roles that involve submission.Moreover, women are portrayed as an inferior sex which is the reason why many go for female infanticide, rape, molestation.IN rape cases, where the victim does not come out and report due to fear of humiliation, social stigma etc. laws not strong enough One can ask that why such incidental are taking place? Doesnt the govt have enough laws to stop such atrocities? Isnt the society is not mature enough to deal with such things. Combined with a judicial system on the point of collapse, where cases routinely take years to be processed, and an almost total lack of modern forensic capability on the part of investigators, it is easy to see why the stringent rape laws are not a major deterrent. Government needs to contemplate devising three-prong policy. Drastic change in our legal system, strengthening law enforcement agencies to deliver quicker results have to be backed by social reforms and investment in social sector. he further added. Our Policing: One main reason behind the crime against women in NCR is Lack of Police personnel. We don’t have sufficient police personnel to tackle the criminals. About Half number of police personnel are deputed in the service of our minister. The other reason is the thinking of our police, A great number of policemen believe that what a woman wears is one of the reasons for rape. They say â€Å"do rapes really happen†? Many policemen are not even sure. Recognition of a crime as heinous as rape is something the police in the NCR do not appear to have come to terms with. Some of the Statement of our Policemen which shows their thinking. . Many cops think that it is ok to judge the victim of rape and blame them rather than dealing with the crime. But, what about the numerous 2 year olds who are raped? what about the young school girls who are raped? what did THEY do to bring it on themselves? So it’s time the police wake up and make public spaces safe for women. Ways to reduce Crime Against Women Changing the outlook of the society is the best way. But it is a very long process. For immediate results girls have to believe that they are still living in a very conservative society. The place where they are living or their friend circle is not their society. One has to consider the whole area / city where they are moving to reach their off/ college as a society and then judge it. Girls should act accordingly. I do believe that precaution is always better than cure. women should take as much precautions as they can specially when they are moving alone using a public transport or a two wheeler. Following steps Should be taken : 1. Police and Government Sensitivity: State agencies should stop blaming the victim and shift the responsibility onto the state agencies mandated to protect women’s rights. They should refrain at all times from making any gender-insensitive statements and character assault of women. Strict actions should be taken against such statements be made in the public sphere. We demand respect and dignity of all women. 2. Monitoring: CCTV’s in rape prone areas in Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. CCTV Should also be installed in parking, the place from where the women employees boarded the vehicle, there so that it can be ascertained that the woman was not lifted forcibly. 3. Increase in deployment of police: Immediate and sustainable preventive mechanisms should be designed and adopted in the National Capital Territory Region, which can act as a deterrent to future such incidents. This should also include, increasing the frequency of the patrolling of the PCR vans and increased traffic vigilance in all areas 4. Sexual assault prevention and redressal policy: The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for sexual assault cases should be drafted with immediate effect and ensure that support from relevant other service providers (government non-government) be effectively implemented in every case thereon. The SOPs should also ensure strict adherence for procedures to be followed and address any violations with strict actions thereon. Immediate actions against relevant police personnel on dereliction of duty should be made mandatory. Fast Track Courts on cases of Sexual Assault for immediate redressal and effective justice delivery to be ensured. 5. Women’s help lines: Emergency numbers like 1901 should be monitored by women which makes it easier for the victim to explain her problem/situation. Victim’s privacy should be respected. These numbers should be advertised through posters and billboards in all three cities. 6. Workplace safety: The Government must ensure procedures for accountability in all workplace to follow strict safety mechanism. 7. Awareness: The state needs to campaign against sexual harassment public messaging on women’s rights, shift male perspective of women, display hotlines and safety procedures all over the city. 8. Girls should Avoid Dangerous Situations: * Be aware of surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a bad situation. * Try to avoid isolated areas. It is more difficult to get help if no one is around. * Walk with purpose. Even if you don’t know where you are going, act like you do. * Trust your instincts. If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probably isn’t the best place to be. * Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged and that you have cab money. * Try to think of an escape route. How would you try to get out of the room? Where are the doors? Windows? Are there people around who might be able to help you? Is there an emergency phone nearby? * If you and/or the other person have been drinking, you can say that you would rather wait until you both have your full judgment before doing anything you may regret later. Conclusion: The city being one of the most important metros of India should have been much secured for its citizens. However the main causes behind the increased crime rate in Delhi/NCR are the lack of awareness of its residents, careless approach of Delhi Police and indifference of Delhi chief minister who is herself a lady. Delhi police can put an end on the crime incidents by responding more promptly and sensibly to each and every case reported at the police stations. Also political intervention in criminal incidents should be strictly cut off to ensure the city’s safety and security.

Plan for Closing the Achievement Gap for Latino Students

Plan for Closing the Achievement Gap for Latino Students Chapter 1 Definition of the Problem The American education experienced long and sustained period of school reforms filled with significant challenges. The policymakers as well as the governors made the school reform movement their top project priority since the 1980s (Sindelar, Shearer, Yendol-Hoppey Liebert, 2006). The school reform movement undergone profound achievements in the past and continues to tackle significant challenges although it has achieved its goal in creating changes to school conditions, student performance, and institutional policy. The National Governors Association for Best Practices is looking into the achievement gap challenge facing the schools today (Grant, 2009). This requires creating new policies and developing old policies to close in the achievement gap problems happening in several states. The policy primer discloses the nature of the achievement gap problem, its history, and the different states efforts to solve the existing problem. The primer also discusses alternative solutions and strategies at state level including important issues and factors to avoid in implementing solutions. Understanding the achievement gap context The achievement gap context is all about the differences one sees between people coming from different race and class (Chubb Loveless, 2002). There is an increasing difference concerning the performance of students coming from the disadvantaged minority as compared to the performance demonstrated by white students of the same grade level (Chubb Loveless, 2002). This achievement gap is a clear issue of racism and the effects of the power of the privilege. Educational institutions, educators, and policymakers face genuine lack of understanding creating and developing schools that can cope up with the context of a diversified society. The challenge goes on with the creation of correct policy that could help close the achievement gap. Federal response to the urgent persisting achievement gap problem The No Child Left Behind Act or NCLB is an attempt by the Federal government to close the achievement gap (Chamberlain, 2004). The policy set forth a new accountability practice for American schools to set the same standards with detailed plan for testing performance to ensure students meet preset standards of the schools. The framework of the NCLB allows a student to transfer to other schools located at the same district if he fails to pass the test performance set by the school. It is the responsibility of the school district to provide persistently failing students supplemental services as well as choices to study at other schools operating within the same district (Chamberlain, 2004). The school needs to demonstrate adequate progress about the problems of persistently failing students. Failure to show progress makes them open for state law corrective action (Chamberlain, 2004). The schools focus their performance targets based on the conditions of the students with disabilities a nd coming from disadvantaged family background. This includes students coming from ethnic or minority group that possess limited English language skills and proficiency. However, well performing schools are still required to alter school practices, policies, and governance to accelerate and enhance the educational experience of the disadvantaged group of students. The state considers a school as well performing only when they become successful in bridging the achievement gap. The intervention of the new Federal law on the educational scene has created quite a stir among schools struggling to meet the new set of policies and criteria. How do you measure the achievement gap? NCLB Act is clearly a Federal strategy to challenge the achievement gap brought by the effects and challenges of inequality among students in the US. Schools measure achievement gap by comparing African-American test scores and academic performance with the Hispanic group and white Americans using standard assessment tests (Chamberlain, 2004). Survey statistics gathered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reflected a narrow gap between Hispanic and African-American 17 year old students reading scores for the period 1975 to 1988 (US Commission on Civil Rights, 2004). The gap becomes wider or somehow constant in the areas of mathematics and reading during 1990 to 1999. The NAEP charts on achievement gap raised concern over the intelligence and skills of the disadvantaged minority students. The Education Trust analysis on the NAEP data bothered policymakers. It concluded that the grade 12 level disadvantaged minority students performed similar to the level of the students studying four years behind them (Ferguson Mehta, 2004). The skills of the Latino and African-American 17 year old students are comparable to the skills possessed by the 13-year-old White students in the subjects of English, science, and mathematics (Ferguson Mehta, 2004). The educational attainment is another way to measure the achievement gap between races. The different ethnicities showed wider gap as to the highest educational level of attainment they had achieved in the past. The groups showed gaps in all discipline. Dropouts among African-American and Hispanic groups in high school are heavier even though the tuition fee rates are lower than those rates given to the Whites (Ferguson Mehta, 2004). The Whites show more effort in trying to get a college degree than the Blacks and Hispanic young adults. Policymakers and schools do not overstate the importance of achievement gaps but actually noted the big difference between Whites and other ethnic groups educational achievement specifically Hispanic and African-American groups (Chubb Loveless, 2002). The achievement gap is the outcome of local and national standard test measures between diversified groups of students mostly categorized by ethnicity and socioeconomic status (Chubb Loveless, 2002). The other forms of category applicable to the groups are their gender and ability. There are many ways that a school can measure the achievement gap between the groups such as test scores resulting from standardized test and average grades obtained by each group. The dropout rates, highest level of educational attainment, and population of college enrollees are other ways to measure the achievement gap between ethnicities (Strictland Alvermann, 2004). Although the results of this statistic survey came from different American states, the same thing is also happening with other countries. These achievement gaps noted across countries showed the possible effects brought by discrimination and social injustice. The government made a good move eradicating social discrimination. The move to bridge the achievement gap between ethnicities also responds to their effort to solve existing social discrimination at the same time. Eradicating the gap as a public policy would help eliminate the other problem of social discrimination. However, some people disagree that the core causes of the achievement gap come from a persons class, culture, or even biology. These people believe that policymakers can directly influence economics and education using progressive education based on multiculturalism. This idea is more effective in helping them achieve equality among ethnic groups. Identified factors causing the widening achievement gap Researchers do not have any clear idea about the real reason for the increasing achievement gap between ethnic groups. Structural as well as cultural factors played a major role to the widening discrepancy. Students lacking the cultural capital portrayed by the middle class are likely to show low academic scores and achievements especially if they experience little parental involvement concerning their education and home coursework (Strictland Alvermann, 2004). Annete Lareau stated that better resource students demonstrate more accomplishments in academics and life (Lareau, 2000). Other researchers believed that a persons ability to achieve more in life and academics largely depends on its socioeconomic condition and the classification of race from which he belongs. It is evident that students belonging to the disadvantaged minority suffer the adverse result of the achievement gap because they find themselves at a disadvantage position than the White students. Understanding the effects of the environment and culture to students performance The culture, traditions, beliefs, social roles, and environment of the student influence the students performance and are factors that need extra consideration and study when dealing with the core causes of achievement gap (Lareau, 2000). It would be for the researchers advantage that he should look into the lives, environment, economic condition, and practices of the disadvantaged minority to ascertain and identify specific cultural differences that can help explain the differences of the child-parent relationships between ethnic group families (Lareau, 2000). Cultural differences shaped the childs behavior and motivation to become achievers. The authors Jencks and Phillips argue that a child belonging to the Black family do not have much motivation and encouragement from their parents because of the lack of understanding about the benefits of education and obtaining academic skills (Jencks Phillips, 1998). The lack of awareness resulted to Black children going to school with little vocabularies than their White counterparts. Studies claimed that students with parental involvement such as homework assistance show more progress in school (De Carvalho, 2001). In comparison, the disadvantaged minority consists of single parents have to spend more of their time looking for money to cope up with their household economics and other needs rather than staying and getting involve with their childs homework (De Carvalho, 2001). The minority group also consists of parents that do not understand nor speak English well. The study points two major causes of the childs difficulty namely unavailable English speaker at home and lack of parental involvement for homework. Researchers highly believed that children from the minority group do not attend school because they are not willing to find themselves in comparison with the Whites and accused as behaving like the White children by their peers (De Carvalho, 2001). The children of the minority group simply lack the motivation and the understanding to pursue higher education because they do not see and believe the benefits and role of education in their future. They possess little understanding about the benefits that knowledge and higher education bring to their lives and how it could improve years of hard work (De Carvalho, 2001). The common minority behavior from lack of motivation to do better in school is plain rejection of the idea to achieve something more in their future. It is like giving up their potential and the ability to do more by not studying and working hard to make any progress in their social status as well as to receive higher wages. Furthermore, researchers found that schools often set up their performance measures based from the students knowledge as well as familiarity about the White group that belongs to the middle class cultural capital. It is obvious that the disadvantaged minority is not familiar about the middle class cultural capital background of the White group. Schools need to change their test for students performance and base it on their understanding of the subject matter. The test should be solely base on how they understand and perceive the subject they are taking. How structures of the institutions influence the students? Students coming from the disadvantaged minority group definitely go to schools categorized by the district as poorly funded schools (Danielson, 2002). Children belonging to low-income household attend poorly funded schools because it is the only affordable form of education. Schools belonging to the poorly funded school category have limited resources and employ teachers with less qualification (Danielson, 2002). Schools tried to solve the achievement gap between ethnicities by placing students in tracking education groups. The framework of the tracking education group assigns students within the same school into several groups base on their skills and academic abilities (Ansalone Biafora, 2004). The schools then tailored the teachers lesson plans to meet the varying requirements of the different sets of learners abilities (Ansalone Biafora, 2004). The strategy made dramatic progress to some learners. However, some schools based their grouping from the students cultural capital and socioeconomic status that results to the disadvantaged minority overly representing the lower educational group (Ansalone Biafora, 2004). This made schools placed the African-Americans and the Hispanic students into the lower educational group. Their perception about the minority group wrongly placed the African-Americans and the Hispanic students, which reflects practice of institutional racism (Ansalone Biafora, 2004). This confirms some researchers beliefs that the initiation of the tracking education groups implies the existence of racial segregation within the school system itself. Several studies performed on tracking education groups provided negative results. The implementation of the tracking education groups harmed the potential of the minority students to learn more skills because the teachers assigned to their groups are less qualified (Molnar, 2003). The curriculum design for the minority group is also less challenging and provides less opportunity for advancement in their academic fields. The peers as well as the teachers of the students belonging to the lower tracking educational group labeled them as slow learners. This greatly affected their self-confidence and motivation to continue their studies, which resulted to increasing minority school dropouts. Concerned psychologist claimed that the schools tracking groups outcomes might not be beneficial to all groups (Molnar, 2003). They cannot identify any lasting benefit to the grouping. Chapter 2 Rational The schools explanation over the creation of the tracking education widely varies. The goal to find applicable institutional and policy solutions to narrow the achievement gap gave birth to drafting education reforms. The categorization leads schools to provide remedial classes as well as tutoring sessions for identified less performing students. Strategies applied to narrow the ethnicities achievement gap The school provided tutoring sessions to the less advantaged and low performing students after school. They also offer remedial classes to help underperformers. The main problem noted with the categorization program is the pressure it gave to minority students. The program pushes minority students or underperformers to learn at a fast pace in an attempt to catch up with the performing groups usually comprise of their White counterparts. The catch up required more efforts from the teachers and gave much pressure to the students. The schools changed their categorization by race to grouping the students according to their ability. This new grouping criteria enabled schools to provide fair quality education for the students without considering ethnicity. The detracking scheme made schools and teachers perceive students equally (Burris Welner, 2005). This also made schools provide more teachers that are qualified to the different groups, design their curriculum appropriately, and provide more resources to the learners. Understanding the condition of the minority The Blacks and the Latinos usually describe the low-income minority of the United States (Aragon, 2000). These students usually come from poor families and comprise the less performing group in school. The schools can easily identify minority students based on their SAT scores. Minority students often obtain lower scores than their White peers (Aragon, 2000). The schools broke down their SAT scores according to their socioeconomic status. The results showed that the Blacks and the Latino students usually achieve lower SAT scores than the Whites. However, Asians still achieve higher SAT scores than their White peers who belong to the same family income level. The analysis of the authors Steven G. Rivkin and Eric A. Hanushek fully explained the core causes of the increasing achievement gap. In their book published last 2006, the authors discussed the effects of the schools effort to group the students according to their socioeconomics and ethnicity (Hanushek Rivkin, 2006). The racial concentration in certain groups created the unequal distribution of experienced teachers and the inexperienced teachers (Hanushek Rivkin, 2006). The study noted the increasing achievement gap in the grades 3 and grades 8 levels. Looking into the structure of the high performers that belongs to the minority group There are minority students who managed to excel in their grade levels. One great example of minority high performers is the students attending at Davidson Magnet School of Augusta, Georgia. The other school with minority high performers is the Amistad Academy located in New Haven, Connecticut. The schools strategically employ traditional and rigorous training instructions that include providing direct instruction to students. Researchers found direct instruction effective and efficient in developing the skill levels of the learners coming from the inner city of the research title Project Follow Through (Harris Graham, 2007). Black schools sometimes perform higher than their White counterparts do. The results of the annual test during the later part of the 19th century at Washington, DC can prove this claim. The Blacks performing higher than the Whites do continued until the middle of the 20th century. The M Street School gave quite a performance during this period by exceeding on the national standardized test. The author Carl L. Bankston III and his partner researcher Stephen J. Caldas claimed that the achievement gap causes the segregation of the schools in US (Caldas Bankston, 2005). The book titled â€Å"A troubled dream: The promise and failure of school desegregation in Louisiana† published in 2002 and the other book titled â€Å"Forced to fail: The paradox of school desegregation† published in 2005, clearly pointed that students benefit more when placed in the same school with high achieving students (Caldas Bankston, 2005). Their research also showed that students experienced academic disadvantage when they interact more with low achieving schoolmates. This proves their perception about the achievement gap as the core cause of school segregation. This means that parents played a major role and are greatly involve in the creation of school segregation for the fact that many parents even avoid sending their children to schools with larger minority student population (Caldas Bankston, 2005). Understanding the standards based form of education reform The standard based education reform based its classification by the education characteristics and income level of the student regardless of performance (US Commission on Civil Rights, 2004). Most schools in US decide to adopt the education reform. The policymakers believed that students regardless of race and gender have the potential to become achievers and receive higher pay levels. There is a need to study the content and context as well as the effects of the states education policy and compare them with the education policies of other nations. Improved performance is attainable using the standard based assessments with clear set of incentives such as examination for high school graduation (US Commission on Civil Rights, 2004). The student reforms of whole language, multiculturalism, affirmative action, block scheduling, desegregation, inquiry-based science, and reform mathematics were not successful in improving the achievements of the students. The recent NCLB legislation requires students to take annual testing and demonstrate progress at an acceptable rate every school year. The federal government imposed sanctions to schools with larger population of under performing students. Obviously, the schools having the greatest attendance of minority and poor students face the problems of coping up with the legislation and working on the skills of the students. Those who favored the traditional education claimed that the schools are not designing the education reforms in a constructive way because the reforms are not curriculum and student based. The IQ tests and the SAT are widely accepted as norm-referenced tests. Some people claimed the ACT as limiting chances for the minorities. Many people favored the standards based assessment because they have a clear definition and design of the criteria for the reference test (US Commission on Civil Rights, 2004). The criteria are acceptable and regarded as free from any cultural bias. The students can easily pass the reference test criteria. In 2006, states like the Washington questioned the effectiveness of the approach. The assessment became a mandatory requirement for graduation. Terry Bergeson, a Superintendent, believes that students coming from the disadvantaged minority can compete and are capable of achieving higher scores (Thomas, 2005). However, these minority students need additional help to perform more. MCAS in Massachusetts showed higher percentage of graduating students for all races. In the Fairtest point, there are still many minority students dropping out and performing less than the Whites and Asians. Although the Washington state has narrowed the achievement gap, researchers cannot find any conclusive evidence that the standard based reforms are effective in closing the achievement gap. The author of the book titled â€Å"The Bell Curve†, Charles Murray, looked into the point gaps and its relative improvement (Locke, 1995). His analysis implied that the test is theoretically easy to pass but actually difficult to answer. The test consists of open-response questions that are mostly problem solving, reading, writing, and mathematics. Minorities who fail the test are about twice or even four times than the population of the students that achieve high scores of the testing history. In 2006, only one sophomore student belonging to the minority group passed the standard test. One needs to pass WASL to obtain a diploma. The tasks of keeping American public schools from educational failure depends on how fast policymakers and educators provide efficient policies and effective structure of framework for teaching that can respond to the students individual differences and capabilities. There is a rising need for educational institutions to meet projected challenges posed by changing demographic trends and requirements. The most crucial part is the transmission of societal values from diversified students of differing religion, philosophy, history, and political context. The lack of understanding of each ethnic group values and culture endangers the opportunity of any education reform to work for the learners. Chapter 3 Significance of the problem The American Indian group always ranked below the Latino and the African American students in terms of graduation rates and standardized test scores. The three groups always showed significant numbers concerning dropout rates. The achievement gap persists in the US history. The study published in the Education week revealed that American Indian or Alaska Native students graduation rate is about 47.4 percent. The foundation of the couple Bill and Melinda Gates funded the study. The statistics showed that American Indians were 30 points below their White peers, which means that about half of the graduating students belonging to the minority failed. The Council of Chief State School Officers report in 2006 declared that the low attendance of American Indian students across the country is a significant problem among the states specifically West Mississippi (Council of Chief State School Officers, 2006). The persisting problem about the achievement gap of the African Americans, Hispanic, Asian Americans, and Caucasian students present a challenge to the present structure of public education (Zajda, 2005). The gap narrowed a little during the 1970s and the 1980s and then started to widen again in 1990. The gap persists to widen until today (Vanneman, Hamilton, Anderson Rahman, 2009). There were about 22% grades 4 White students who scored below the basic NAEP test for reading in 2007. The report also showed about 50% Hispanic and 54% Black students who obtained scores below the basic NAEP. There were about 16% White students at grades 8 who scored below the basic mark required to pass the reading test. There were about 42% Hispanic and 45% Black students performing below the basic mark required to pass the reading test. The wide achievement gap reflected in their math scores also. Some people argued that district resegregation across the states reinforced the rising disparity problems. This is especially true in the northern and southern districts (Kozol, 2005). The White parents enroll their children in high quality suburban schools while the African-American as well as the Hispanic families enroll their children in racially isolated schools. These racially isolated institutions normally provide school instruction of very low quality and normally face other types of problems (Zajda, 2005). The California state is the most affected state in the US. Jack OConnell, State Superintendent, considers the task of helping the minority as moral, economic, and ethical imperative (Gerston Christensen, 2009). The California Department of Education (2009) revealed the state needs to prepare and train the students especially the African-American and the Latino to compete in the global economy. This would make California gain a competitive edge over world economic leaders. The success of the task largely depends on how well the students respond to the NCLB standardized test. Taylor (2006) is the main advocate of the Critical Race Theory. He tried to bring awareness about the racial minority and institutionalized oppression hidden under the Federal as well as state policies. Although the Federal government created the NCLB in an attempt to bridge the achievement gap, Taylor claimed that the Federal regulation puts too much pressure over the educators and students in trying to improve academic performance. Taylor claimed that the movement did not correctly address the issues stated in The Colors of Poverty by Lin and Harris. Taylor claimed that putting pressure to perform better does not respond to the racial segregation practices and policies. People and policymakers do not even understand the occurrence and the consequence of the practices nor do they have the ability to reverse its occurrence (Taylor, 2006). Understanding the context of differentiated instruction Differentiated instruction makes students the center of learning and teaching based from the theory that students come to school bearing different skills implying unique differences on their learning needs (Tomlinson, 1999). The varying degrees of differences may refer to their personal and educational context, community or environment background, and academic skills. The educators under the differentiated instruction design and employ several methods of instruction that can facilitate the learning experiences of the diversified students in the classroom effectively. The goal is to match students skills to the resource materials in a qualitative manner. The program includes blending the needs of the whole class with the design of their individual instruction using effective approaches and methods to expedite the processing of knowledge, input and output, of the learners. This requires constant assessment of the students progress by their respective classroom teachers. Policymakers considered the differentiated instruction movement as a proactive approach to educational issues facing practitioners today (Tomlinson, 1999). The proactive approach makes the students become more comfortable in pursuing their education. Educators refine and tailor their instructions according to the needs of the students. This also entails adjusting the curriculum to fit the students academic needs. Teachers committed to this approach understand that the students they teach shape their teaching style and practically believe that students create awareness on teachers how to shape them. The students personality and learning style necessarily influence the instructors teaching philosophy and methods (Tomlinson, 1999). This is the only way to get through them and seems the only possible way that they get to learn things. Creating a model for differentiated instruction requires student centered approach that supports the key elements of interest, readiness, and learning profile (Allan Tomlinson, 2000). The Russian psychologist, Lev Vygotsky, declared that people receive and learn more things when they are ready to learn these things (Daniels, 2001), which is the theory behind the differentiated instruction movement. The differentiated instruction approach matches the individuals interest and methods of learning. This approach supports the student interest, which is one of the key elements of differentiated instruction. Jerome Bruner claimed that the moment a teacher gains the interest of the student is the specific moment that a student starts to learn and the learning experience becomes more rewarding (Tomlinson Allan, 2000). The American psychologist who wrote about the multiple intelligence theory, Howard Gardner, claimed that a human being is a unique individual that possesses different levels of intelligence and perceives learning in different ways. This led him to suggest that schools need to look into the possibility of providing individual-centered approach. The framework tailors the curriculum to the intelligence and preferences of the child (Tomlinson Allan, 2000). This suggestion fits to the different student learning profile key element of differentiated instruction. The context of differentiated instruction supports and integrates the learning styles of the students to the conditions of their brain development. This constructivist learning theory details and analyzes the various factors that influence the readiness, intelligence preferences, and the interest of the students that motivate and engage them to learn at school (Anderson, 2007). Kathie Nunley, an educational psychologist, stated that the movement for differentiated instruction is crucial to the classroom makeover from the 1970s homogeneous groupings to the present heterogeneous learners (Nunley, 2006). Educators using the differentiated instruction approach are able to ascertain and meet the differing needs of the students, help each student in their learning process, and exceed expectations from established standards (Levy, 2008). Tomlinson believed that the need to implement differentiated instruction came from the fact that learners are unique individuals that vary in different ways. The student population is also fast becoming academically diverse, which presents higher probability that diversity will continue for a long time. Pre-assessment criteria for differentiated instruction The most crucial part of the differentiated instruction program is the assessment, identification, and determination of the students skills and knowledge. Educators need to understand the level of their skills for identification and design of the instruction methods and approach. The students skill levels and knowledge base are crucial

An Analysis Of The Company Virgin Marketing Essay

An Analysis Of The Company Virgin Marketing Essay Virgin Atlantic, the UKs second largest long haul airline, operates a fleet of 38 aircraft to 30 destinations in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Indian Ocean, North America, the Caribbean and Australia. In a deal which was finalized in 2000, Branson sold 49% stake of Virgin Atlantic to Singapore Airlines for  £600.25 million to form a unique global partnership. Richard Branson is still the controlling authority as he retains 51% stake in the airline. This essay analyses the chief internal and external factors that contribute to the success of the organisation as well as provide a critical assessment on the effectiveness of the strategies employed. It further discusses a couple of strategic options that are available to the Virgin group for the next five years with reference to appropriate academic models and concepts.   (Source: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/tridion/images/studentinformationkitmarch2009_tcm4-622791.pdf)   Internal Analysis Of Virgin Atlantic In order to understand the strategies, it is important to analyse the internal environment of the organisation. Internal analysis is done by means of the value chain of the Virgin Atlantic. Value Chain Analysis Porters (1990) Value chain framework is an interdependent model that helps to analyse specific activities through which an organisation can create value and gain competitive advantage. (Pathania-Jain, 2001). To conduct the value chain analysis, the company is split into primary activities (those that are related with production) and support activities (those that provide the background necessary for effectiveness and efficiency of the firm like human resources management) (Porter, 1985). These activates are discussed below: Primary activities 1. Inbound and Outbound logistics: In Inbound logistics, the key activities are those associated receiving the raw materials from suppliers and managing them within the firm. These activities includes Stock Control (storing and managing fuel, snacks, food and drinks.), passenger service system, facilities planning etc (Fig. 1.1). It provides ample of facilities to its customers, it gives choice of three entrees with main meal, free drinks, an amenity kit for outbound journey, complimentary newspaper of passengers choice. The facilities keeps on increasing if you move from economy to upper class. The upper-class passenger gets limo service to travel to airport where check in formalities are already completed before they check in hotel style lobby area and through a dedicated security area exclusively for virgin airline customers. The upper-class UK passengers gets a complimentary airport transfer in chauffeur driven Volvo or Virgin Limo Bike which makes there outbound logistics quiet impressing to customers. (Source: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/tridion/images/studentinformationkitmarch2009_tcm4-622791.pdf; http://www.virginatlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourstory/forstudents.jsp#operation) Operations: Virgin Atlantic is the second largest long haul airline in the UK and the third largest European carrier over the North Atlantic. It operates to many of the top destinations around the world including destinations in the Caribbean, US, India, Far east and Africa. It has won many awards almost in most categories that travel industry offers. 3. Marketing and Sales: Virgin Atlantic uses a wide range of marketing techniques. Advertising activity includes magazines, TV, taxi sides press, outdoor posters and direct mail. Also promotional schemes plays vital role during traditionally low seasons. To encourage loyalty, Virgin Atlantic offers flying club membership where in members gets free miles that can be exchanged for free flights and other rewards. In addition, Virgin Atlantic also advertises through travel agents and runs wide range of promotional schemes, offers trade incentive, organises trips and social/educational events. The website (www.virgin.com/atlantic) also plays vital role as it offers full electronic booking, give information on destination, informs mileage balance to members and different promotional schemes. (Source: http://www.virginatlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourstory/forstudents.jsp#operation) 3.Service: Virgin Atlantic has won numerous awards for its service and claims to set up new standards of service by pioneering range of innovations. For example, with respect to comfort during journey, its upper-class suite has longest and most comfortable flat bed and seat in airline industry for which alone it won twelve awards. For travelling from airport, virgin Atlantic offers limousine service and Bike service to its customers. Support activities: Firm Infrastructure: It includes planning and control systems, such as corporate strategy, accounting and finance. (Lynch, 2003). Virgin Atlantic expends heavily on technological solutions and infrastructure. The Finance department analyse the expenses due and financial condition of the group and accordingly plans the expenses necessary for growth of organisation. 2. Human Resource Management: Virgin Atlantic recruit people by means of newspaper advertisements and through its website. Existing staff can also recommend and earn incentive through the same. Virgin Atlantic gives world-class training to its employees and develops their employees from time to time by organising educational events. Also they recruit and train people with sign language skill to facilitate to disable passengers 3.Technology Development: Virgin Atlantic not only considers technological developments as vital for growth but also spends a lot on it. It has award winning in-flight entertainment system, travel seats and beds designed to give extra comfort. Also it is continuously working on innovative aircraft design and technological solution to reduce carbon emission 4. Procurement: Virgin Atlantic has an efficient procurement department, which obtains quality goods and services at lowest price so that the passengers can avail these world-class facilities at competitive prices. The department takes benefit of large operations of and thus achieve economies of scale. The department also interacts with a number of organisations that provide handling services at airports, Including baggage handling, refuelling, maintenance, cleaner services and security. These services are offered by a number of companies and can help in reducing costs. (Source: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/tridion/images/studentinformationkitmarch2009_tcm4-622791.pdf; http://www.virginatlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourstory/forstudents.jsp#operation) External analysis of Virgin Atlantic To have a grasp of the existing market as well as consumer and stakeholder perception, an awareness of external factors is essential. This section will highlight the position that Virgin Atlantic holds with respect to competitors, social perception, etc. PESTEL Analysis An organisations business environment is invariably governed by external factors which can be broadly analysed as Political, Economical, Social and Technological factors. To gain an advantage in the present and future market the organisation needs to reduce inefficiency and retain cost effectiveness (Grant, 2005). As Virgin Atlantic operates within Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania, these factors differ to a certain degree and the manner in which competitors, political bodies and social groups react and respond to the brand has to be anticipated with some care. Political and Legal factors As Virgin Atlantic operates across the globe, it has to adapt its practices to suite national and international laws as well as domestic aviation rules and regulations. The manner in which competitors react to new market shares may also involve political influences. When the United Kingdom opened Heathrow Airport to Virgin, thereby abolishing the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules, angered the chairman of British Airways and lead to BAA donations to the Conservative Party being halted. Virgin also incurred the wrath of Lord King when two unused slots held by BAA at Tokyo Narita International Airport were awarded to the airlines (BAA, 2009). Economic factors It must be stated that the brief financial crisis of the early 1990s forced the then Conservative British government to open Heathrow to Virgin despite opposition from BAA. This shows how external economic conditions can sometimes be favourable to a rising organisation in grabbing a hitherto inaccessible monopolised market. One of the main economic factors that affect the airline industry in general is the fuel hike. Conrady (2009) notes that the low cost fuel prices provided to the UK airline industry has greatly assisted in it escaping the fate of many of its European counterparts. Social factors The social perception and acceptance of a brand is of vital importance to any organisation and Virgin Atlantic has managed to do that in a relatively short period. Virgin Atlantic has been vying for the position to instil in the British public the brand image of a national and international organisation. When British Airways announced in 1997 that it will remove the Union Flag from its tailfins in favour of more international images, Virgin was quick to introduce the Union flag prominently in its winglets and noses with the tagline Britains Flag Carrier thereby challenging BAs traditional role as UKs Flag Carrier. The training of its staff is also a major issue and is vital in gaining stakeholders and achieving stakeholder targets (Nadal, 2009). The service staff need to have proper training to meet the high standards of service which is expected of it by the consumers as a hallmark of the airline industry. Technological factors As an industry that heavily relies on technology, the technological factor is the most essential factor in improving efficiency in the longer term. Virgin has managed to introduce more than 700 next generation aeroplanes, which provides a marking contrast to most of its competitors. According to Briggs and Burke (2009) this also minimises maintenance and training costs in the long run. Virgins initiative to focus on providing online service will also have a marked benefit as more and more consumers are being introduced into the World Wide Web on a daily basis. Consumers are thereby allowed to get up-to-date information regarding flight schedules and compare airline prices. Environmental factors Environmental concerns have also been a frequent issue as the airline industry is notorious as a major polluter. Many campaigns have tried to befriend or at least calm the environmental lobbies but more effort must be put into projecting the image of an organisation that is doing its bit for the environment. Virgin has focused on informing consumers about the CO2 pollution before each flight. The duty free bags are now composed of a significant proportion of recyclable material in compliance with the Ministry of Agriculture (Wheeler and Elkington, 2001). Critical assessment of the virgin Atlantics strategies The above-defined analysis conforms the strategy of Virgin Atlantic as being excellent service provider, it makes its path by providing distinct service. The corporate strategy of the organisation is to provide world-class service at a competitive price. The companys strategy is well supported by statement of Porter (1996), which says that executing the same activities in a different way than that of traditional competitors helps in achieving better position in sustainable manner. The company enters oligopoly market where customer usually receives poor deal and there is a scope of acquiring market by giving better services. To raise awareness of their products and services and new routes, Virgin Atlantic advertises through TV, press, magazines etc. Another strategy that organisation use is to make customers loyal by making them member of there flying club . The flying club offers numerous world-class facilities which will not only help in satisfying the customer but also gaining customer loyalty. The more customers travel through them, the more miles they get which can be exchanged with free flight and other rewards. They also get special support service and clubhouse access. Also during traditional low seasons, tactical promotions and price advertising are done to a large extent to maximize the aircraft capacity. In addition to all these, Virgin Atlantic also market through travel agents by offering them familiarisation trips, trade incentives. (Source: https://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/frequentflyer/index.jsp; http://www.virginatlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourstory/forstudents.jsp) Effectiveness of strategies chosen SWOT Analysis According to Johnson (2005) SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is a useful tool to examine financial accounts and developing healthy work environment of a company. It is a major step towards any strategic planning in a business. It is considered to be very important source of information for judging and understanding any sort of situations in the organisation. Given below is the SWOT analysis for Virgin Atlantic. Strengths Virgin Atlantic is headquartered in country where competition is enhanced and tolerated due to deregulation The virgin Atlantic has the head office in the country where the contest is heightened and tolerated due to the deregulation, which means the business is managed without the aid of following government restriction. The important feature of the Virgin Atlantic is the collaboration with Singapore airlines that made them one of the best airlines in the world. This has proven to be advantageous for virgin in many ways like huge market access, restructuring, converging technology to develop new one, gaining knowledge and extending supply etc. The strength of the Virgin group perhaps, is its importance to best customer service and innovation combined with brand name gives a big advantage to Virgin Atlantic. Virgin believes in creativity, adding its importance to customer service and innovation with the brand name virgin proves out to be the biggest strength of Virgin Atlantic. Its has introduced many firsts in the business like first to launch entertainment systems, onboard bars which increased social activities in-flight, providing complimentary limousines services, beauty treatments in-flight. It further introduced business economy cabin. It also has a website that dedicated to what a customer can expect from the airline and all other conclusive details of interest. Virgin has a powerful e-business structure that makes communications simpler and easier with the customers. They continually measure the performance delivered by each crewmember on flights. An additional feather to their cap is the exceptional service tin providing assistance to disabled/visually-impaired passengers. It not only helped in earning good reputation but also winning EASE award consecutive four years. (Source:http://www.virgin-Atlantic.com/en/gb/whatsonboard/index.jsp;http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourstory/history.jsp) Weaknesses The major drawback Virgin Atlantic faces is limited market reach as unlike other major international airlines. It operates in limited countries only like UK, Caribbean, South Africa, India, Australia, and US The companies reach in code sharing is limited hence it is not able to enjoy the benefits of code sharing which the members of leading Global alliance are able to do such as lack of transferable priority status, lack of seamless travel, lack of enhanced frequent-flier program benefits, limited extended lounge access and lack of greater network access. This is because Virgin Atlantic is not part of any leading global alliances. (Source: http://www.virginatlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourstory/forstudents.jsp)   Opportunities Virgin Atlantic is one of the few airline companies operating successfully in African countries, gradual liberalisation in UK/south African market leading to 53% rise in flights and 62% increase in passengers. The business has increased incredibly. There are few more cities, which can be considered for hospitality service based on the smooth record of the airline. Some of the very well known and large airlines have experienced bankruptcy in recent times providing them a great opportunity. Also the European Union is on their side providing to a be great support. Going forward, Virgin still have a great scope to grow in African market as only the British and African airways in dominating the continent and virgin comes at third position. It should focus on increasing the market share in Africa. Another opportunity available with Virgin Atlantic is attracting customers by aggressively promoting the clubhouse facilities and introduction of its latest Heathrow clubhouse. The number of tourist coming to UK is increasing day by day which is an opportunities available to them but in competitive environment, its quiet tough but strategic and aggressive marketing can make it possible.      Threats The current situation all over the world has lead to increase in competition so there is high possibility of threat due to competitiveness in the market which in turn creates pressure to maintain continuous profit. This would in turn lead to forceful alliances, mergers and acquisitions which might not be in the interest of the company. Other issue of concern is accommodation of passengers on the aircraft. Other threat may be the legislations i.e. changing policies and rules by government in the country where Virgin Atlantic operates. This may slowdown the operations and business of the company. Another major threat is emergence of new airlines, which can increase competition. Also if new airlines or existing competitors adopt Virgin Atlantics concept and structure, it will be a major threat to the company Strategic options for Virgin media: Ansoff Matrix: The Ansoff matrix (Ansoff, 1957) invented by Igor Ansoff who is also known as father of Strategic Management and was first published in Harvard business review in 1957. It presents the product and market choices available to an organization. In this markets may be defined as customers and products as items sold to customers (Lynch, 2003). Main aspects of Ansoff Analysis The Ansoff matrix provides the basis for an organizations objective setting process and sets the foundation of directional policy for its future (Bennett, 1994). The four strategies entailed in the matrix are elaborated below. Ansoff Product-Market Growth Matrix: (Ansoff, 1957) Market Penetration: It occurs when an organisation accesses a market with its recent services products. The market penetration strategy begins with the existing customers of the organization. This strategy is often use by companies in order to increase sales without wandering from the original strategy of product-market. (Ansoff, 1957). Product Development: Firm develops new products catering to the same market. This strategy refers to the significant new development of products not just minor changes to the existing products (Lynch, 2003). Market development In this particular strategy, a company moves beyond its existing customer base in search of new customers for its existing products and services. This strategy involves searching of new segment of a market, searching of new area to attract new customers, different/new use of products and services. (Lynch, 2003). Another good strategy that comes under market development is selling existing products in new international markets. (for example British firms can consider of selling there products in complete European markets). Diversification Levitt (1983) rightly whispered that world these days is becoming common market and people no matter where they live are demanding similar product and lifestyle. There has been a massive raise in international trade because of globalisation and liberalization. Diversification strategy essentially involves movement of current products and services in new markets (Lynch, 2003; Macmillan et al, 2000). All four strategic options defined above in the Ansoffs model bears risk element with them. Although Market penetration is often considered as a low risk strategy but diversification is considered as a high-risk growth strategy as it involves huge investment that increases due to simultaneously movement into new products and new markets. When applied to Virgin Atlantic, this model results in to two vital strategic options available. Product development strategy and the Market development strategy, to become the most successful organization Virgin Atlantic should follow both of them. The product development strategy suggested through Ansoffs matrix can be a very good strategy for Virgin Atlantic because of the type of customer base, the company possess. The company has good customer base of upper class families and corporate tycoons. If the company introduce new products or sub products, they can market it to these existing customers. The company should focus on strengthening the relationship with existing clients often known as Relationship marketing. One of the ways to achieve it is being in contact with them, giving them special offers, and at times offering them concession. If they are given special facilities and excellent services then it will develop brand loyalty in them. Another option available with Virgin Atlantic is market development strategy which involves search of additional geographical regions and additional market segment. If we compare the flights/services offered by Virgin Atlantic with British airlines, there is a large gap. Although Virgin Atlantic is UKs second largest airline but it operates flights to only 26 major destinations whereas against BA has flights to more than 150 odd destinations. Virgin Atlantic should increase the number of destinations, which can be done after carefully analysing the facts and figures about the population, operations, flights of competitors etc. Also Virgin Atlantic group should focus on developing country (Asia Pacific Region) as the growth prospects ate higher than developed countries. China and India are two developing countries with highest population and expected compounded growth rate in this region in 2007-2012 will be 5.2%. The manufacturing cost is comparatively low in these countries making them attractive destination for business. Also it will be a sound decision to outsource operational work to these countries. Virgin Atlantic is famous for luxurious flights as it offers world-class facilities to their passengers but in this competitive environment they are not offering anything price conscious economy class passengers. They should introduce no frills flight with the objective of earning profits on economy of scales. With this strategy they will not only diversify their risk but can potentially capture a new segment using their brand name and service. Conclusion: To conclude, after analysing internal and external factors of the Virgin Atlantic, it has been observed that Virgin group has grown massively and became world-class brand following the path of virgin group but it is still in path as there is a massive scope of growth which can be realised by combination of two strategies. They are product development and market development and market development. If used appropriately, they can help Virgin Atlantic to

Things They Carried Essay: Syntactic and Paratactic Style

Syntactic and Paratactic Style in The Things They Carried Many times, when an author writes a story, he will use different techniques to influence the way that the reader absorbs the work. Writers use both paratactic style and syntactic style. These two styles contrast each other greatly, but on the same term, they greatly compliment one another. In the book The Things They Carried, O'Brien uses both of these styles. In this essay, syntactic and paratactic style will be examined in the story "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong". Examples in the story will be examined and described according to the two styles of writing. The syntactic style will be focused on more intensely however, because of the way that it effects the sections of the story that will be discussed. It will also show that the historical context of the story effects the styles of writing. Historically, women have played a subservient role in society. This still proved true when this story was took place. During the years of the war, women began to play a stronger part in society, but were still looked upon as less than men. In the story of the sweetheart, the female character breaks the gender roles. The soldiers make her first introduction into the story by the. They describe her as "This cute blond-just a kid, just barely out of high school- she shows up with a suitcase and one of those plastic cosmetic bags. Comes right out of the boonies. I swear to God, man, she's got on these culottes. White culottes and this sexy pink sweater. There she is." ("Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong", 102) Without using the most ... ...nbsp; This manner and tone would not have been used to write about other women. Because she succeeded in a male dominant society, she has "earned" the right to have the masculine attention. Syntactic style plays a strong role in writing. Without it, an author can not leave anything for the reader to think about. If the writer strictly wrote using paratactic style and let the words say exactly what the story involved, interpretation would be useless. Both syntactic and paratactic style benefit the work best is they are used in conjunction with one another. In the absence of one style, the other has a hard time standing on its own, and if a piece tries to work that way, it makes for a very dull or confusing piece. Using various styles in one work makes it more dynamic and intriguing.