The Controversy of Standardized Testing Essays -- Standardized Testing

The Controversy of Standardized Testing â€Å"No issue in the U.S. Education is more controversial than (standardized) testing. Some people view it as the linchpin of serious reform and improvement, others as a menace to quality teaching and learning† (Phelps). A tool that educators use to learn about students and their learning capabilities is the standardized test. Standardized tests are designed to give a common measure of a student’s performance. Popular tests include the SAT, IQ tests, Regents Exams, and the ACT. â€Å"Three kinds of standardized tests are used frequently in schools: achievement, diagnostic, and aptitude† (Woolfolk 550). Achievement tests can be used to help a teacher assess a student’s strengths and weaknesses in a particular subject. Diagnostic tests are typically given to elementary school students when learning problems are suspected. Aptitude tests are designed to predict how a student will perform in the future. For example, the SAT predicts performance in the fi rst year of college. Standardized tests give educators a standard measure or â€Å"yardstick† because such a large number of students across the country take the same test. These tests are used to tell how well school programs are doing or to give a picture of the skills and abilities of students. Standardized tests; however, are problematic at all ages and levels of schooling. Standardized aptitude tests measure students’ abilities to learn in school, how well they are likely to succeed in future education. Rather than measuring knowledge of subjects taught in school, these tests measure a broad range of abilities or skills that are considered important to succeed in school. The classroom setting and teacher are the key to assessment. â€Å"Pressure to produce higher scores leads teachers to focus on material that will be covered by the tests and to exclude everything else. The curriculum is thereby narrowed, which means that some subjects are ignored. Within those that are taught, lower order thinking skills are emphasized. As a result, test scores get inflated while real learning suffers† (Phelps). Performance based assessment guarantees an increased understanding of the growth of individual child. Such understanding reduces the need for currently used standardized tests. Standards for Education and Psychological Testing (American Psychological Association) states the ... ... tests are counterproductive. Meaning that instead of leading to stronger academic achievement, it is said to interfere with teaching and learning. Teachers should use test results to improve their instruction, not to justify lower expectations or to stereotype students. Bibliography: Works Cited American Psychological Association. Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1985 Goodwin, W.L., and Driscoll, L.A. Handbook for Measurement and Evaluation in Education. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass, 1980 Phelps, R.P. â€Å"Why Testing Experts Hate Testing.† Fordham Report, Jan. 1999: Available online: http://www.ed.excellence.net/library/phelps.htm Sacks, P. Standardized Minds: The High Price of America’s Testing Culture and What we Can do to Change it. Cambridge, Mass.: Perseus Books, Feb. 2000: Available online: http://www.fairtest.org.k12/psacks.html Wiseman, D.L., Cooner, D.D., and Knight, S.L. Becoming a Teacher in a Field-Based Setting: an Introduction to Education and Classrooms. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1999 Woolfolk, A. Educational Psychology. Needham

Etta James Essay

Born as Jamesetta Hawkins January 20, 1938 in Los Angeles, California music legend Etta James came into this world. Etta’s mother Dorothy Hawkins was only 14 at the time she had Etta which was a factor of the young girl being moved around to foster homes multiple times. She never knew her dad and when vocal coach James Earl Hines took her in to sing at the church and teach her, he would sometimes get Etta out of bed and beat her to force her to sing for people. This is looked at to be the reason Etta never liked singing on demand. Etta moved to San Francisco where she created her first musical group named The Creolettes at the age of 14. Multitalented Johnny Otis found the girls one day singing at a nightclub and took the girls under his wing. Otis changed the Creolettes name to The Peaches, signed them to Modern Records, and changed Etta’s stage name from her birth name Jamesetta Hawkins to Etta James. Etta was a very spunky girl with an enormous attitude. When Georgina Gibbs covered James’ single â€Å"Dance with me, Henry† and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Etta was very angered. A similar incident happened when Beyonce Knowles, who portrayed Etta James in the 2008 movie Cadillac Records, performed James’ single â€Å"At Last† at the 2009 presidential inauguration ball. Etta expressed her distaste and anger at this at a Seattle concert. After James’ time with Modern Records ended in 1960 she then signed onto the Chess label Argo where she recorded her debut album At Last! Where her signature hit â€Å"At Last† was featured on. An interesting thing about her most popular song â€Å"At Last† that few people are aware of is that it was actually not her most rewarded piece of work. Etta James faced many obstacles throughout her life from being a foster child, facing a heroin addiction, and sadly suffering from Alzheimer’s and leukemia which eventually led to her death on January 20, 2012. Etta’s heroin addiction took a big toll on her career as she was in and out of rehabilitation centers during the early 1970’s. She avoided prison time when her husband and she were caught in possession of heroin and he took the fall having to serve a 10 year prison sentence. Etta was then forced to stay at the Tarzana psychiatric center for 17 months. Unfortunately her addiction was not conquered and she continued to battle it until she died. Etta James success was only later recognized in the early 2000’s where she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2003 Etta was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award and soon came out with a new album â€Å"Blue Gardenia† in 2004. Her second to last album â€Å"Let’s Roll† was released in 2005 and won her the Grammy for Best contemporary blues album. In May, 2009 at age 71 Etta James was awarded the Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year award from the Blues Foundation for the ninth time! The very next year while she was touring, she was forced to cancel many of her shows due to her gradually failing health after it was revealed that she was suffering from Dementia and Leukemia. Etta released her final album in November 2011, which was critically acclaimed and soon after died two months later. After listening to the song â€Å"I’d Rather go Blind† you can’t help but have an appreciation for Etta. You can sense the despair in her voice like she really does not want that man to leave her. I love the way it crescendo’s or builds up the emotion throughout the song. I also love the song â€Å"I just want to make love to you.† The way she goes into her gravelly voice is really unique.

Jesus had a way of teaching his disciples Essay

Jesus always had a way of teaching his disciples how to be better people. He used events to teach them, he also used small talking sessions to teach them. The disciples were taught many valuable lessons from Jesus. In the modern world some people think that only bishops, priests or vicars are real disciples but every Christian who has been baptised should try to be a follower of Jesus. Christians today work for each other and for the people that they see as the weak in society such as the elderly, alcoholics, drug addicts and one-parent families. There are plenty of schemes run by voluntary Christian organisations for the poor and weak in society. The Salvation Army is well known for its concern of outcasts in society. They practise many different activities including children’s day centres and nurseries and family welfare work and homes for the elderly. The Salvation Army does plenty for the weak of society and other Christian denominations have their charity organisations, which provide similar services. There are international Christian organisations that include the Tear fund and Christian Aid, these groups care for the needs of developing nations. They help third world countries to live life as best as they can by providing clean water, health care and education. Some Christians today choose to become priests or join a religious order as their way of being disciples of Jesus in the modern world.A priest is a servant of God’s people. The Priest’s job is to proclaim and preach the gospel, to bless the bread and wine offered at mass. to care for the needs of people in the parish, especially by showing his worshippers what they can do for each other and to devote themselfs to God. Some people should use their talents to improve the world, to try and make the world peaceful and loving place. They have a duty to be aware of all the world’s problems such as crime, prejudice and violence. Christians who take part in the Eucharist are sent to serve others at the end of mass. The priest says, â€Å"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord†. We can serve others by donating our clothes to charity shops so that others will benefit. We can visit the lonely, offer shelter, feed the hungry, pray, provide love and comfort, in doing all of these things we are serving the Lord. â€Å"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength†(Mark’s Gospel – 12: 30-31). This is an extract from Mark’s gospel in the passage of ‘The Great Commandment’; it is what Jesus said to be the greatest commandment of all. Jesus explains this to mean that God is the only Lord we have so therefore we need to love him in the best way that we can. The second greatest commandment of them all is to â€Å"Love your neighbour as yourself†(Mark’s Gospel – 12: 31). When Jesus was talking of these two great commandments he wanted us to realise that life does not revolve around ourselves it is about what we can do for others. This message is to show us not to be selfish and be prepared to suffer for our beliefs. We should never contribute to Mickey taking or peer pressure as we would not like that if it was directed at us. We should give our time for other people which many people do as a careers options so they are also giving their life to God at the same time by serving to others such as Nurses, Doctors, teachers, fireman and missionaries all these jobs are for someone else’s benefit giving their time up for people like us when we are in danger or ill. we can contribute our ways to discipleship by going to church to pray, prayer in general if it to be at home, personal or within a group in a community at school or in a parish. It is important Christians/disciples have childlike qualities that they are proud to be a Christian, they are honest, faith, enthusiasm everything seem brilliant hope and trust in God at the lowest times in your life.Even when tragic accidents happen such as suffering with cancer, A death of someone you love or such incidents as September 11th the attack on the twin towers New York. We should still have faith and believe they are with God and happy. I think that it is extremely difficult to be a modern day disciple because many people take the modern lifestyle for granted and the mission now has a different meaning to the one in Jesusà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ time. in the modern world because so many people are judged by many different aspects of their lifestyle. They are usually judged in a positive way about their possessions and general lifestyle but they are judged in a negative way about their religion. Religion has become very ‘unfashionableà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ and this is not just because it is considered a waste of time but it is also because Jesusà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ teaching methods were unfashionable. Todayà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s world is so materialistic and people would not judge someone kindly if abandoned their family responsibilities to become a disciple. many people still suffer great persecution and rejection.. A modern day disciple would find it difficult because our world is so materialistic and it would be extremely difficult for a person to give up the wealth gained from a job. Many items in society like drugs can be a barrier between a person and their path towards discipleship. But I do think that some peopleà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s faith is strong enough to enable them to be a modern day disciple. There are many people who have made great sacrifices to follow Jesus and do his work in our world today. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a strong believer in Christ and she is an example of a disciple in the modern world. Society does hold back a personà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s path towards discipleship but a true disciple should be able to overcome that difficulty. Being a disciple of Jesus has many implications for every area of a personà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s life and this is because their every action is influenced by Jesusà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ example. St Teresa of Avila once said, â€Å"Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.† This means that we are on earth to represent Jesusà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ and he lives in us and this is another way of us being disciples of Christ. In our lifetime today we are given a very important mission and that is to serve Jesus during our time on earth and be disciples, and also preach the word of Jesus to the people who do not yet know.

Business Buying Center Essay

A.Describe the different roles in a business buying center. Then identify each member of the buying group in a medium-sized company that purchases components and assembles small household appliances. A business buying center is described as all persons involved in any aspect of a company’s buying activity (source: page 186, Contemporary Marketing). A business buying center is also known as a decision making unit or DMU and can be further defined as a group of employees, family members, or members of any type of organization responsible for finalizing major decisions, usually involving a purchase (source: Financial Times Lexicon: http://lexicon.ft.com/decision-making-unit). In a business setting, major purchases typically require input from various parts of the organization, including finance, accounting, purchasing, information technology management, and senior management. Highly technical purchases, such as information systems or production equipment, also require the expertise of technical specialists. In some cases the buying center is an informal ad hoc group, but in other cases, it is a formally sanctioned group with specific mandates, criteria, and procedures. The employees that constitute the buying center will vary depending on the item being purchased. There are typically five roles within any buying center. For purposes of this assignment, a buying center for a medium-sized company that purchases components and assembles small household appliances could be described as follows: 1.Influencers who try to affect the outcome decision with their opinions. An Influencer would also set specific buying specifications for the company. This group would guide evaluation as well. 2.Deciders who have the final decision. The Deciders also choose the good or service. They may need to involve another person with more formal authority 3.Buyers who are responsible for the contract. Buyers also secure the good or service. 4.Users of the item being purchased. Users are the people who will actually â€Å"use† the good or service. 5.Gatekeepers who control the flow of information that all buying center members will review. (Sources: http://books.google.com/books?id=wAMsaLJoykYC&pg=PA130&lpg=PA130 and source: page 186 and 187, Contemporary Marketing)

Saypa supermarket chains Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Saypa supermarket chains - Essay Example Subsequently, right after about two years of supermarket experience, the chain’s management decided to extend and expand. It opened the second shop in the nearest local town of Yalova. After some while, everybody became aware of Saypa as a household name. Credited to the good management team and the effective ways of advertising, in the next ten years, fifteen supermarkets were opened around different cities. The number having reached up to thirty one (31) stores in 2009, Saypa has become the leading supermarket chain in the City of Bursa with one thousand two hundred (1,200) personnel in its workforce. Supermarket chain Saypa does not merely satisfy the shopping needs but it also provides further services such as promotional cinema and theatre vouchers, organises special events and conventions for charity. It therefore strengthens relationships with society and raises the loyalty level among its customers. Recently, it launched a new promotion package which monthly awards two couples for one week holiday around Turkey. Another reason why Saypa is so popular around the city is that it was the first company which started membership cards, discount vouchers and also saving points for patrol buyers. On the other hand, the company does take care of its employers with special discount cards, sickness payments, free transportation to work and free training programmes for the new starters. Also, the company arranges parties with dinner included twice a year for a meeting and fellowship with employees. In the event, management tries to find out if the staff and personnel have anything to s ay to ameliorate the company’s service quality. Saypa`s future plan for 2009 is to expand with new branches at Istanbul which is the most populated city in Turkey and Europe. Hence, the company aims to keep up with its rivals more, and communicate easily with the

Distribution Strategy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Distribution Strategy - Assignment Example The distribution strategy will be exclusive to the wealthy oil and gas field owners (Chand, p2). In a video by Netjet Dubbed the promise, it promises to keep upholding its values and being the best private jet service offer. To achieve this and be able to deliver to the consumer in Brunei, the company intends to increase its network of jets. This is in line with the notion that the Netjet customer is the intelligent, affluent king, which is typically the case in Brunei. Netjet also plans to accommodate its customers through offering a promise of accommodation regardless of the pickup location or destination or the date (McCarthy, p1). Netjet is undertaking design specification of the cabin interiors of the jets and is interested in offering a highly personalized product. Together with safety improvement, it will give it a lead to its competitors. In terms of accessing the customer in Brunei offering of safety, comfort and personalized experience will go a long way in achieving this ( Alcock,

Computer management accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Computer management accounting - Essay Example The activities that are managed by organisations are becoming more complex and sophisticated, and so too is the way that these activities are configured for productive purposes. This means that the various component Management accounting is concerned with the provision of information to management, to assist with planning, decision-making and control within the business. Because planning and decision-making are inevitably directed to the future, management accounting often involves making future projections, usually called budgets. Important applications of this are capital budgeting, which deals with the appraisal of investments, and cash budgeting, which deals with the projection of future cash inflows and outflows, and the consequent financial requirements of the entity. Management accounting is also concerned with controlling and appraising the outcome of past plans, for example by analysing costs, and with assessing the economic performance of particular divisions or activities of the entity. Because the demand for management accounting information varies according to the activities, size and management structure of the entity, and because the supply of such information is not subject to statutory regulation or audit, there is a much greater variety both of techniques and of practice in management accounting than in financial accounting. ... Management has, of course, direct control over the information system of the business, so that formal regulation of the management accounting system is less important. II. Evolutionary Theories (Institutional Economics) Hamilton (2001)'s first major work, Evolutionary Economics, was primarily an exploration of the contrast between the institutionalist view of the economy as evolutionary and the classical static and mechanistic rendition. In his work this exploration primarily was conducted through examination of major areas, the institutional theories of consumption (demand), production, and distribution. (Hamilton 2001 p.745). Burns & Scapens, (2000) describe the background of institutional theory as "in recent years there has been increasing interest in institutional theory across the social sciences". They argue that three such theories have been used in the accounting literature see Miller, 1994 namely: new institutional or transaction cost economics see Walker, 1998 ; old institutional economics see Scapens, 1994 ; and new institutional sociology see Carruthers, 1995 Although these theories have different origins and intellectual roots, they share a concern for institutions and institutional change. All three offer insights which are helpful for conceptualizing management accounting change. They insist that OIE provides a focus on organizational routines and their institutionalization and, as stated above, in studying management accounting change we are studying changes in organizational routines. It also provides a way of dealing with some of the difficulties of using Giddens' 1984 structuration theor y in accounting research, and especially in research dealing with management accounting change. (Burns & Scapens, 2000 p.2) Burns &