Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing Essay

Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing - Essay Example The prevalent use of standardized tests has caused much controversy in recent years. Some feel that they have an important place in helping to assess student ability and school quality, while others feel that they have very little validity, and detract significantly from our children's educational experience. A great deal of studies have been published in attempt to understand the true effect that standardized tests have on education, yet there has been little consensus among opposing sides. No matter one's position on the subject, a clear understanding of both the pros and cons of standardized testing will aid our country in its quest to improve the quality of education for all of our students. If administrators and policy-makers would take into account both the benefits and the drawbacks of standardized testing, they could work to create educational policies that take advantage of the data that standardized tests offer, while not allowing test bias or an overemphasis on test scores to detract from our student's education. The driving force behind the prevalent use of standardized tests in school districts across the country is a belief that they will hold schools and teachers accountable for each student, and that no child will be allowed to slip through the cracks. This is essentially the premise of the No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2002, which uses standardized test scores to determine whether or not schools are making adequate progress. In a recent report from the US department of education entitled "Building on Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening the No Child Left Behind Act" (2007), George W. Bush reiterates that this policy is first and foremost an effort to end "the soft bigotry of low expectations" (p 1). In addition to bridging the achievement gaps between minority populations and wealthier populations, Bush also stated that: "NCLB is an important way to make sure America remains competitive in the 21st century. We're living in a global world. See, the education system must compete with education systems in China and India. If we fail to give our students the skills necessary to compete in the world of the 21st century, the jobs will go elsewhere" (Hursh, 2007, 498). Proponents of NCLB, argue that standardized tests are the best tool that we have at our disposal to determine whether schools are truly bridging the achievement gaps and preparing students to compete in the global economy of the 21st century. The reason that standardized tests are an indispensable part of school success according to proponents of NCLB, stems from their belief that it is impossible to know if students are learning anything without assessment. Grant Wiggins, author of Understanding by Design (2006), offers a humorous, but poignant anecdote about what happens when assessment is not incorporated into classroom instruction: A teacher claims to have taught his dog to talk, yet when the teacher's friend wants to see proof of the dog being able to talk, the teacher modifies her claim: "I taught him to talk, but I didn't say he learned it" (p. 228). Without evaluation, neither teachers nor students can ever know if they have grasped the material that has been taught, and they become the talking dogs that have not actually learned to talk. Without evaluation, teaching can become a dull and listless act that fails to take into account whether students are actually learning and whether they are able to analyze and cr eate meaning out of the new experiences they have had in class. Richard Phelps explains the benefits of standardized tests in Kill the Messenger: The War on Standardized Testing (2003), which has been called the definitive defense of standardized testing. Phelps and other proponents of standardized

Effects of flicker on reading comfort Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Effects of flicker on reading comfort - Essay Example Meares in 1980 and subsequently Irlen in 1983 described same set of symptoms induced by reading as visual perceptual disorder known as Meares-Irlen syndrome (MIS) or scotopic sensitivity syndrome (SSS)2,3. Jeanes et al4 reported that this syndrome can be found in 12 percent of general population and 65 percent of dyslexics. Furthermore, Wilkins5 identified these symptoms as ‘visual stress’ and categorised them into somatic such as tired eyes and visuo-perceptual like color, motion or shape illusions. Another name of this group of symptoms is ‘pattern glare’ that was used by Wilkins and Nimmo-Smith6 because they induced in normal people, who do not have photosensitive epilepsy, when they observed patterns of strips. There are number of parameters to characterise pattern of strips such as the total size, spatial frequency, duty cycle and contrast7. Wilkins et al8 found that the frequency of pattern glare depends on the characteristics of patterns. Similarly, reading text can induce same effects of discomfort because straight lines of text form a pattern of strips5. The same characteristics of pattern of strips can also determine the effects induced from text. The size of the page contains text excluding the margins corresponds to the size of pattern, the interline spacing represents the spatial frequency, the middle body of written letters excluding ascenders and descenders corresponds to duty cycle, and the contrast of the ink used on the paper besides the thickness and spacing of the words strokes determines the grating contrast7. Thus, text can induce the incidence of pattern glare, which depends on text characteristics. The book â€Å"Visual stress†, by Wilkins5 has a whole chapter to discuss photosensitive epilepsy and the visual stimulation of seizures. Wilkins states that visual stimulation may trigger seizures in 4 percent of patient with epilepsy. In addition, visual stimulation is the only factor to provoke seizures in many

A-Level Law in Action Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A-Level Law in Action - Essay Example For instance, in R v Steane, the accused lent his services to the enemy, in order to protect his family from harm. Consequently, his conviction was set aside6. Â  On the other hand, indirect or oblique intent arises when the accused can foresee the outcome, as being highly probable, and the accused does not desire that outcome. In Hyam v DPP, the accused’s intention had been to terrify the victim and not to cause her death, when he set fire to her house. Their Lordships upheld the conviction for murder, as the accused could anticipate that his actions could result in death or grievous bodily harm7. Â  In the present problem, Bob with the intention of killing Alice exploded a petrol bomb. As a consequence, Alice lost her life. Bob caused her death intentionally.This constitutes, the crime of murder, and Bob will be accordingly held liable. Â  In Goodfellow, the accused was convicted of constructive manslaughter, for having caused the death of his family, while attempting to set his house on fire. It is important to note that he had no intention of causing the death of his family8. Â  Bob had claimed that it was not his intention to cause harm to anyone other than his wife, Alice. This is untenable, on account of the doctrine of transferred malice. The letter states that if an individual has the Mens rea to commit a specific offense against a particular person, and if that crime had been committed by that individual against some other person, then the Mens rea is transferred to the actual victim. This is borne out by the decision in R v Mitchell, wherein the accused had caused the death of an old woman, by striking an old man who fell on that old woman. The latter died subsequently, due to the complications that had arisen in her treatment.

Scientology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Scientology - Essay Example (Hubbarb, Miscavage, 2006). L. Ron Hubbarb is the founder of Scientology he defines it as"the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life." Base on Hubbarb's book there is no indication that it may cause problem and conflict with other religions. Below are some of it's believes and principles. Scientology is not a religion who asks you to believe on something but what you observed to be true is the truth. Believers discover that Scientology works personally by applying its principles and observing or experiencing results. This paper will show some facts that religion should not be banned no matter what their principles are as long as they not affect any important matter in a person's life. The goal of the Scientology religion as stated in the book written by Hubbarb (2007) is to achieve complete certainty of one's spiritual existence, one's relationship to the Supreme Being, and his role in eternity. Scientologist aims to have "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights." This is why the number of Scientologist increases faster because of its aims. If one religion aims for peace and prosperity how can it promote war and disparity Religions differ only on their patron but they all aim for peace and happiness. Like any religion Scientology has its own "scripture" only in the form of principles written by Hubbarb. Scientology Scripture recognizes that there is an entire dynamic (urge or motivation in life) devoted to the Supreme Being (the eighth dynamic) and another dynamic that deals solely with one's urge toward existence as a spirit (the seventh dynamic). Principles of Scientology Looking at the principles of Scientology we will be able to foresee what will happen if this religion becomes the religion of choice in the future. Below are the principles based on the book written by the founder L.Ron Hubbard. 1. The Bridge to Total Freedom - Scientology practices (called "Technology" or "Tech" in Scientology jargon) are structured in sequential levels, reflecting Hubbard's belief that rehabilitation takes place on a "gradient", that is, easier steps are taken first and only then greater complexities are handled. 2. Dianetics - One principle in scientology is solving problems using your self. In Dianetics there is only one source of all your problems, stress, unhappiness and self-doubt. It's called the reactive mind - the hidden part of your mind that stores all painful experiences and then uses them against you. 3. The ARC and KRC triangles - ARC stands for Affinity (emotional responses), Reality ( an agreement on what is real), Communication. KRC stands for Knowledge, Responsibility, and Control. Scientologists believe that improving one aspect of the triangle increases the level of the other two. ARC and KRC triangles can be found in the Scientology symbol. 4. The Dynamics - Scientology and Dianetics state that the dynamic principle of existence is to survive and that man survives across the "eight dynamics of Self, Family and Sex, Group, Humanity, the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms, the Physical

Taxation, Pensions, and the Issues Associated the Social Security Research Paper

Taxation, Pensions, and the Issues Associated the Social Security Trust Fund - Research Paper Example The fact of the matter is that the Social Security Trust Fund is comprised of two separate funds. The first of these is of course the OASI Trust Fund (Old Age and Survivors Insurance Fund); whereas the second is that of the DI Fund (Disability Fund) (Shelton, 2008). Whereas the first fund is the one that is of course the largest and is most referenced within the media and concerns over budgeting etc, the second one is lesser known and is primarily responsible for providing payments to those individuals who had been working at one point but due to injury or illness are no longer capable of performing work. Combined, both programs owe the American people approximately 2.93 trillion dollars as of the end of 2011 (Papps, 2012). The number in and of itself is but a snapshot of current obligations and as such cannot be viewed as a means of seeking to understand the level to which the program will be able to handle changes in economics or the retirement of subsequent generations. The unfortunate fact of the situation is that the social security program itself is suffering from what many have called an eventual and sustained death. Due to the fact that the government has mismanaged the situation with Social Security for such a longer period of time, short-sightedly borrowing from it at every available instance, the level to which the program can sustain itself and continue to cover the liabilities that it necessarily engenders is not projected to take place long after the year 2030 (Quirk, 2003).

Removal of junk foods from vending machines Research Paper

Removal of junk foods from vending machines - Research Paper Example This paper aims to discuss concerns related to the junk food being delivered with the aid of vending machines. Many people find these junk food stuff like pizza, burger and french-fries tastier and easier to eat than the regular meal. They are getting more fame, especially with kids from school ages as they easily get fantasized by the appearance and taste of these junk food items and start avoiding the healthy food to get some of the junk food. Most of the schools and colleges have junk food items in their cafeteria and vending machines that allow students to choose between the home-cooked food and junk food. The vending machines are not just restricted to schools and colleges, but now they can be found at shopping malls and cinemas, where people cannot bring any eatables or water along with them and therefore, they are not left with any option but to consume junk food only (JimB, 2011). To me, this is another one of the unhealthy habits that people have adopted, without realizing w hat price they might have to pay for it. Therefore, my opinion is that this new trend of increased consumption of junk foods rather than nutritional food items, and soft drinks instead of water should be discouraged, as it certainly has an adverse impact on one’s life, both physically and socially. ... evealed that not only heart diseases but also lack of energy, depression, and lowering of one’s I.Q are some of the adverse effects caused by consuming high amount of junk foods in the daily lives (JimB, 2011). Also, soft drinks that are now mostly part of every day’s meal can effect one’s health badly due to the high proportion of carbonated soda in them that softens the tooth enamel gradually and could result in inner tooth damage over the period of regular consumption (Keefer, 2011). Not only this, but the fast food trend has also eliminated the element of eating together to a great extent. A family having more home-cooked food typically sits together and shares their day’s experience and other things on the dinner table, but as these junk foods have eliminated the need of sitting and eating, the tradition of a combined meal has also started to fade. The government should see this issue as a matter of concern, and should come up with measures to reduce consumption of junk foods. One thing that can be done in this regard is to remove these junk food items from the vending machines. This could result in a profound decrement in the schools and cinemas revenue however, for the sake of people’s health it is not something which is too much to ask for. A practice carried out by the California High Schools to remove junk food items from schools’ canteens, resulted in lowering of the calorie intake of their schools students in comparison to other state students (O'Connor, 2012). This makes it clear that other than just the potato chips, there are several other junk foods too that people consume daily from the vending machines, thus adding a significant amount to their fat and calories levels. Another disadvantage of this is that serving junk foods to school kids

Embedded Formative Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Embedded Formative Assessment - Essay Example In essence, there were certain types of instructions issued by the teacher that seemed especially effective. For instance, the teacher would take us out to the field to learn about various phenomena and concepts related to the subject he was teaching. I think this was especially helpful because we used to directly learn about the concepts in practical situations hence we did not only enjoy his teaching lessons but we used to perform well in his subjects. Another approach that the teacher used in class was the discussion sessions whereby every student participated hence improving the general grade of each one. I think that besides the effective instruction methods, the teacher also used various assessments including but not limited to continuous class tests, end of syllabus exams, and a number of research papers. It is worthy to note that the types of assessments used matched the instructions employed in various ways. In his instructions, the teacher always encouraged class participations in order to keep every student at par with the topic of discussion. Perhaps I have to reiterate that this was the most interesting teacher and class in my entire academic life at least up to this point and