Are state tests actually beneficial to students, or do they place Essay

Are state tests actually beneficial to students, or do they place unnecessary pressure on teachers, students, and parents - Essay Example In fact they create unnecessary pressure to the three stakeholders, diluting its very essence. Firstly, the stakes of state test are too high. Secondly, the test results cannot accurately measure learning. Thirdly, teachers are molded into ‘teaching the tests’ rather than concepts. Lastly, the anxiety associated with tests impedes learning and leads to cheating and result manipulation. Therefore, this paper will discuss on why state tests are not beneficial to stakeholders in education—students, teachers and parents. To begin with, the stakes of the tests are too high and teachers are adapted into ‘teaching test’ rather than concepts. Traditionally, test scores influence how much funds a school would receive from the government. Low test scores would make the school run the risk of its operations taken over by the government; therefore, little room for independent decision making (Texas Business Leadership Council). Such pressure on state officials, parents, teachers and students create a very poor environment for learning. Additionally, Teachers plan their curriculum around tests. Additionally, teachers teach test-taking skills and how to pass exams. Consequently, teachers lose the creativity and dynamism that makes learning enjoyable (The National Center for Fair and Open Testing). Concepts and hands-on skill require a greater challenge and are more rewarding than the ability to pass a multiple-choice test. Secondly, test scores are not the accurate measure of learning. In a 2013 speech, the secretary of education, Arne Duncan opines that state assessments in various subjects often fail to capture the student’s ability of what they know and can do (Evans ). Besides, all the stakeholders in education know that there is so much more to education that the ability to sit down and answer a few multiple-choice questions. Standardized state tests do not create room for students to express themselves (Evans ). Lastly, the anxiety associated with

Biography Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Biography Assignment - Essay Example d as a Prime Minister for two different periods including the 11 year period starting from 1966 and ending in 1977 and then she held the office of Prime Minister for a 4 year period ranging from 1980 to 1984. She was still holding the office when she was removed from the face of the earth through murder and she successfully became the only female Prime Minister in the history of India. This writing will focus on the leadership autobiography of Indira Gandhi and will reflect upon why she is one of the major examples of a successful leader. The way a leader leads is referred to his/her personal philosophy of leadership. Different leaders follow a different philosophy of leadership. Leaders follow the dictatorial, participative, delegative philosophies of leadership. Indira Gandhi and her actions reveal that she followed an autocratic form of leadership philosophy. A leader who follows this philosophy tends to communicate clear expectations that he/she may have from her followers. They do not only inform the followers about what needs to be done, they even tell them how operations are to be carried out. These leaders try to alienate themselves from the followers and create clear distinction between the two in the eyes of others. They themselves make the decisions and do not allow the followers to participate and expect the followers to follow those decisions obediently. One of the reasons due to which it is believed that Indira Gandhi was an autocratic leader is that she was held responsible for conducting acts of corru ption and even after she was found to be guilty, she did not give up her position and instead instated emergency after 19752. This shows that Indira Gandhi thought of herself as someone who is above all and has a higher status as compared to others. She did not only declare emergency. She even disallowed the press to report freely and she even went a step further by detaining members of opposition’s political parties. This shows that Indira Gandhi

The American Frontier and the Western Hero Essay

The American Frontier and the Western Hero - Essay Example He is a real hero who possesses the features of an ideal man, and personifies high moral values and physical strength. Wister depicts the Virginian as a person who is able to distinguish what is good and what is bad, and who follows his personal beliefs. He is described as: "The dealer had styled the Virginian "a black-headed guy." This did well enough as an unflattered portrait" (Wister, 34). The Virginian tries to make a better world paying a special attention to universal order and peace during the Johnson County War in Wyoming. The main character of Susan Warner's novel is "Christian Character", Ellen Montgomery. Female characters in the novel are depicted through minor themes such as the themes of motherhood and religion. Christianity and church was a strong force which dictated social norms and social order. At the beginning, Ellen is depicted as a devoted parishioner who follows all values and commandments. he main similarity between the male and female characters is their desire to fight for freedom and justice which limits their behavior. The Virginian is a leader who possesses self-belief and tolerance, which helps him to create the reality; he is a high moral person who fights for justice, harmony and orderliness of the universe.

The Thieves Who Couldn’t Help Sneezing Essay -- Thomas Hardy

The Thieves Who Couldn’t Help Sneezing There is one main character in this story, Hubert. We barely get any description of the physical features of Hubert; however what we do find out is: he is a fourteen year old boy, a ‘yeoman’s son’ with a horse named Jerry. All of them resided in Wessex. ‘A man darted from the thicket’ ‘Another man’ ‘And Another’ These three quotes; all from the same paragraph tell us that there are in total three robbers. Yet again there is very little detail about any of the three robbers; two descriptions of the few criminals there states that their faces are ‘artificially blackened’, and at least one of them had a, ‘deep voice’. In the whole of the short story there is possibly twenty-six other people; these are briefly mentioned throughout the story. Only one of the twenty six people get named and that person is, ‘Sir Simon’. Unlike ‘Tony Kytes’ there is one main character, Hubert. Only two settings are used, they are the ‘mansion’, and the, ‘Vale of Blackmore’. This is more complicated and detailed than ‘Tony Kytes’; where...

Foreign Language and English Essay

Nowadays, almost six thousands languages are spoken in different countries. And unfortunately, half of them are in danger of defunctness. Certainly, the disappearance of a language can be attributed to the system of communication. However, one can say that it is a loss of culture and expression of human experience. According to Baldwin (2006) â€Å"foreign language is a language not spoken by the people of a certain place. † For instance, Italian is a foreign language in India. Hence, Italian language is a foreign language for Indians. In this regard, an Indian is not supposed to communicate in French. (Baldwin, 2006) Form the birth of this world and human civilization, for both an individual and a society acquisition of any foreign language has been the subject of ardent debate in most of the countries. In this context, anthropologists and psychologists have been researched on 2nd language learning. In this regard, Hakuta and Bialystok have researched a lot according to them it is very difficult task for a native to speak foreign language. (Hakuta and Bialystok, 1994) Good and Bad Aspects of Foreign Language However, according to Piron (n. d) because of different economies, diverse social societies, cultural differences, linguistic and implications in education have become a set of problems for an individual. Hence, as a matter of fact, when something is complex, the natural tendency is to simplify. Consequently, nowadays every society has an enormously simplified image of the linguistic situation. Piron also believes, yet for a big part of mankind there is no language problems with regard to understand. Obviously, one can solve his or her problem by hiring a translator. On the other hand, still some people living in diverse societies such as the US facing language problems every now and then. (Piron, n. d. ) For instance, a worker working in America can face language problems frequently when communicating with their customers or boss. Or a manager of a firm may face financial loss due to the fact that he or she cannot understand opponent’s reason of conflict. Interestingly, according to Piron (n. d. ) such people â€Å"do not feel victims of an absurd and unfair system, they feel guilty, they feel they should have mastered the other language. † (Piron, n. d. ) He further argued that as written in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, every individual has a right to communicate in his own language. (Piron, n. d. ) Is America Loosing Its Language? According to Baldwin (2006) a researcher in this area, before the arrival of European, around three hundred Native American languages were spoken in the US. And now some of them are not exist is anywhere in the US society. In addition, most of the spoken languages are disappearing fast. He further believes that â€Å"America has lost its identity and is fast losing its language. (Baldwin, 2006) Another researcher in this area Feder (2006) also believes that â€Å"ordinary Americans look at a nation that’s losing its language and identity†. (Feder, 2006) Foreign Language and Its Effects on Children As far as learning foreign language is concerned it is very difficult task for children to learn it quickly. However, according to Fertig (2007) naturally, some children have abilities to understand quickly other languages from birth. In this regard, children who speak two languages fluently are called bilingual. Interestingly, children who speak two languages fluently can be said to have 2 mother tongues. In this context according to Fertig (2007) â€Å"neither children is foreign to that child, if in one language is a foreign language for the vast majority of people in the child’s birth country†. (Fertig, 2007) For instance, a child learning Spanish from his Spanish mother and French at school in France can communicate fluently in both Spanish and French, interestingly, neither is a foreign language to him or her. (Fertig, 2007) Following are some of the major advantages of foreign language for children: o Firstly, as a matter of fact, for children study in foreign language plays a catalyst role with regard of psychological and cognitive growth and development. o Secondly, confronting with 2 languages at an early age generally assists children to be more innovative. o Thirdly, many researchers in this area have disclosed the facts that foreign languages positively effects on skills such as writing, speaking and listening, and most importantly when interacting with two foreign languages it expands individual’s memory. However, in some parts of the US, because of highly marked diverse societies, schools’ administrations are constrained to adopt tow primary languages for education according to community and majority. This thing has both good and bad effects on children’s education. A child who is not bilingual by birth may confront several problems when taught in other language. Conclusion From the outset of this world, human have adopted and dispersed several languages. As a student as discussed above, studying in foreign language has both pros and cons. However, the world has become a global village and hence it would be better to say that every individual if wants success in this world must have savvy of other languages, such as English, French, Spanish and so forth. References Baldwin P. C. (2006). The Sorriest Generation: America Has Lost Its Identity And Is Fast Losing Its Language. Retrieved, October 24, 2007, from http://pieganinstitute. org/preservinglanguages. pdf Fertig C. (2007). Language Immersion Programs for the Gifted: Foreign Language, Parents and Educators, Gifted and Talented Children, Gifted Education, Parenting Gifted Children, College Planning. Retrieved, October 24, 2007, from http://resources. prufrock. com/tabid/57/articleType/CategoryView/categoryId/21/Foreign-Language. aspx Feder D. (2006). A Pathway to Citizenship — and Political Extinction. Retrieved, October 24, 2007, from http://www. frontpagemag. com/Articles/Read. aspx? GUID=9B4F0AA7-6059-4771-A906-0B42C8E7C5C9 Hakuta K and Bialystok E. (1994). In Other Words: The Science and Psychology of Second-Language Acquisition. New York: Basic Books. Piron C. (n. d. ). Psychological Aspects Of The Language Problem: Presence or absence of language handicap. Retrieved, October 24, 2007, from http://www. geocities. com/c_piron/1. html

Importance Of Thanksgiving - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 1 Words: 404 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/03/29 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Thanksgiving Essay Did you like this example? The holidays are times for families who are spread across the United States and those around the world to come together and share laughs, memories, and stories. One of the holidays thats considered a favorite is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in families is a time for love, giving thanks, and the simple joy of being with family. Thanksgiving is considered a favorite because it allows people to spend time and visit their family. Thanksgiving is a chance for families to gather together, to feast and to enjoy being with one another. Being around family just provides a sense of calmness. When everyone are together, they are laughing, and just enjoying each other. The joyous and endless soundings of conversations combines to create a warm atmosphere during dinner. The love of a family is greater than any problem or circumstances that arise. The hours of preparing the food is worth being able to share a meal with others, and all the wonderful people in the family. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Importance Of Thanksgiving" essay for you Create order The love can be felt when everyone gathers to give thanks. Although there may be disagreements between the family, they could always stick together when they have to. Giving thanks is another reason Thanksgiving is considered a favorite. Although you pray and thank the Lord every night, giving thanks and being around the people you love while doing it makes it special. Before eating the Thanksgiving meal, the family prays over the food by joining hands and going around a circle direction and say what they are giving thanks for. Giving thanks shows how grateful you are for the smallest things in life like the beauty of the world to the things that are taken for granted such as air, healthy lifestyle and just the ability to see and hear around you. When families are together there is an electric that brings joy because theyre there. Celebrating Thanksgiving with family brings an excitement to everyone hearts. A family is always so positive and fun to be around, especially during the holidays. During Thanksgiving, most people do not have a single care in the world. The happiness is unexplainable as the days of Thanksgiving approaches. It is a feeling of freedom and just a relaxation from the everyday burdens of life. Families get full credit for what the younger children are today. Without their loving and caring spirits and personalities, many young children possibly may have not been on the right track.

The Theory Of The Mind Body Dualism - 1232 Words

Renà © Descartes was a French mathematician, scientist, and philosopher of the 16th Century, who, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, â€Å"was one of the first to abandon scholastic Aristotelianism and created the first version of the modern mind-body dualism or emotion† (Encyclopedia Britannica). Born on March 31, 1596, he was dubbed as the Father of Modern Philosophy. His theory on the mind-body dualism, also known as Cartesian Dualism, created a stem of the modern problem of the relationship between the mind and body. He created the early version to further explain the interaction of the mind and body, to create a firm foundation that can be explained through science and to prove the existence and goodness of God, and how the soul could be immortal. Along with that, he mentioned that the mind is different from the body. One of the basic thesis of his Cartesian Dualism is that â€Å"a mental substance cannot have a physical form, and that said physical form cannot have experiences†, for the mind and body cannot function without the other (Chin-Tai Kim 337). In his Cartesian Dualism, Renà © Descartes believes â€Å"that every human being possesses a body and mind† (Nath 1). Though, there are some philosophers who might have agreed, disagreed or criticized about his theory. Philosophers such as Gilbert Ryle, critiqued about the Descartes’ Cartesian Dualism, for he believes that the principle of Descartes’ Dualism theory is not valid enough and full of problems. He called Descartes’sShow MoreRelatedDescartes Dualism And The Mind Body Theory1322 Words   |  6 PagesDescartes’ Dualism Rene Descartes dualism states that the mind and body are separate entities. The mind is a nonphysical, non-spatial substance; the mind and brain are separate existences, the brain is a part of the physical body and serves as a connection between the body and mind. Dualism is a hot topic of argument on whether the theory holds any validity or if it holds any truth. However, Cartesian dualism is a credible theory and has a lot of support to verify it. One major point in DescartesRead MoreIs Dualism Best? The Nature Of Consciousness? Essay1070 Words   |  5 PagesStudent ID Number: 00180694 November 2rd, 2016 Philosophy 101: Introduction to Philosophy Professor Bayne Dualism Best Explains the Nature of Consciousness The three theories we have discussed so far are the dualism theory of Plato and Descartes, the Aristotelian theory, and the Physicalism (identity) theory of Place and Strong. The identity of consciousness means that if you have the same consciousness, you are the same person, and if not conscience, you are not the same person. 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Idealism takes the position that reality is made up of ideas and immaterial. Transcendental idealism holds the idea that our experience of things are shaped by how they appear to us and not by what they are