Abstract An argumentative paper examining the social problems and effects arising in American democracy due to the presence of illiteracy. The author searches for a solution, and presents a few ideas concerning the issue.
From the Paper ?An entire side of a can of WD40 (household product used for unstitching valves and fixing squeaky wheels) is devoted to health warnings. "Heat may cause can to burst violently", "deliberate or direct inhalation may be harmful or fatal", "If swallowed, do NOT induce vomiting". Okay?so we have to be careful when handling WD40 ? but you wouldn"t know that if you couldn"t read those warnings. Startling numbers of Americans cannot read something as simple as a warning on the side of a can. Those same people cannot read their lease agreements for their apartments, street signs, the electricity, heat, water and phone bills which could leave them without those basic commodities. Believe it or not, these people incapable of performing basic daily skills do exist in our great Land of Opportunity. The problem is obviously rooted in our educational system, but the solution must go past just educational reform ? and we are light years away from even accomplishing that yet. Educators, social scientists, authors, and most anyone concerned with solving the poverty problem in the U.S. have been calling for action from the government as well as from the American people."
Tags: american, government, problems, reform, social
Abstract This paper addresses the controversial educational procedure of inclusion, where students with special needs are "included" into the school system in classes whose students do not have special educational needs. This paper investigates the research that indicates that the inclusion process does not have any negative effects for either the special needs students or the class as a whole, and does not place additional burdens on the teacher. This paper includes an introduction, a definition of inclusion and research conducted in the field. The paper shows that inclusion programs are designed to promote acceptance of special needs students in public education.
From the Paper "This criticism, while perhaps well- intentioned, is not justified by the scholastic journals. Indeed, the majority of critical sources suggest that the opposition is misinformed, and that studies find that students with special needs do not have a negative impact on their classrooms. This particular theme, where students who can be considered "tradition" students as they do not have special needs, is often not the primary focus of research targeting inclusion policies but is often noted in the articles relating to the subject."
Abstract This paper discusses the affect that wealth has on health and postulates that people born with lower social status have a higher liklihood of sickness and health complications. It touches on subjects from issues of not enough money for food to sexual practices.
From the Paper "Even though we are taught in schools how different we are from ancient societies, we are not all that different. An individual is still born into his or her social class and he or she is brought up to live like those of his or her class. In our modern society individuals are able to more easily build his or her future on his or her dreams, but the reality is that dreams and hopes are hard to come by. Sadly due to the social classes impounded upon us at birth individuals must over come many obstacles in life, of which one is health. In our society, health can be purchased, as though it were a commodity, not something available to everyone but only to the wealthy. Such a commodity should not exist since we have a right to be healthy, however it does. For obvious reasons, it is much harder for lower classes to purchase this health, and therefore, for obvious reasons, such classes are less healthy."
Abstract This paper examines the benefits and disadvantages of inclusion programs from the point of view of the student as well as the teacher.
Inclusion means keeping special education students in regular classrooms and bringing the special support services to them. It discusses the affect it has on the children's education and on their parents. It details the types of schools where inclusion is more successful and where it is less successful. It discusses psychological and educational research done on this issue and presents its conclusions. It discusses several relevant education models such as: The itinerant model, used for certain categories of special education and the consultation model, when the teacher remains in one or two buildings with larger numbers of students to serve.
From the Paper "In schools where collaboration was successfully implemented, the special needs children developed improved social skills, greater motivation to learn, and increased self-esteem. Positive peer relationships developed. In these situations, "Collaboration brought complementary professional skills to planning, preparation, and delivery of classroom instruction" [Ripley, 1997]. ?The concepts of individualized instruction, multiple learning styles, team teaching, weekly evaluation, and detailed planning are all of direct benefit to students ?[Ripley, 1997] Middle Schools easily lend themselves to the principles of collaboration. Collaboration is an important process of general education of Middle School Students where interdisciplinary teams often share in planning [Hines, 2001]. Middle school structures can be used as a model for special education inclusion."
Tags: special, general, eductaion, teachers, inclusion, program, students, collaboration, middle, school
Abstract This paper discusses certain research methods and types of research and the importance of ethics in research. The author feels that when carrying out research it is extremely important that the research is conducted in a safe and ethical manner. He feels that researchers must ensure that the rights of the research subjects are not violated in any way. This paper contains excerpts from studies on the matter and their conclusions.
From the Paper " "Educational researchers have good intentions, but if they are not careful, their studies can place individuals in situations that involve risk" (Gall, 1996). Data collection, and analysis, subject selection, research procedure, credibility of the researcher and the worth of the study are all ethical issues that those wishing to perform a study face. Often researchers are the victims of poor planning or inexperience and their subjects suffer for it. "
Abstract This paper describes the various aspects of gender equality in the classroom. The writer acknowledges that while a great deal of progress has been made in the educational system to remove blatant discrimination from schools, true equality has yet to be reached.
From the Paper "As boys and girls enter high school, gender equity becomes increasingly important. The courses and accomplishment of this age are often key principles in establishing their career paths for life. While the government and educational alliances across the country have vastly improved the problem of gender inequality in the high school system, there is still a great deal of inequality amongst males and females."
Abstract This paper explains that mainstreaming involves placing special education students in regular classrooms as much as possible and using resource rooms where the student receives special tutoring, review, and instruction. The author defines inclusion as the total integration of special education students and services into the general education classroom, where special education teachers collaborate with general education teachers to teach the entire class. The paper stresses that one of the critical issues in mainstreaming and inclusion is the training of the teachers involved.
From the Paper "The issue of mainstreaming and inclusion need a lot of thought and preparation. Students however learn best when they are among their peers and when they feel safe and comfortable. Usually being included in a regular classroom provides such safety and comfort better than being segregated in a special classroom. The stigma attached to being a special education student takes away that safety and adds some embarrassment to the difficulties the student already faces. However, to include successfully special education students into the regular classroom I would want to make sure some factors are considered. According to Brucker (2000) three important factors are the attitudes of the teachers, parents and students, having an adequate support system and professional skills and knowledge. The atmosphere in the classroom must be a positive one for special education students to feel welcomed and accepted."
Abstract This is a position paper that explains why reinstating race-based affirmative action is consistent with the intent of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The paper also argues that the society and citizens within need to realize that race-based affirmative action is not about putting burdens on innocent individuals; it is about providing minorities with opportunities. In order to draw the conclusion, the arguments of both advocates and opponents of the affirmative action are presented in such a manner where the advocates? arguments dispute opponents? arguments.
From the Paper "In 1977, Allan Bakke sued the University of California based on the fact that he had been denied to the admission of University of California Davis Medical School due to the fact that the University had reserved a number of spots for minority students ? quota system ? with lower GPA and MCAT scores. He claimed that he deserved to be admitted to the University, but had been denied twice because minority applicants with lower qualification were given advantage and priority based on their races. Ever since the case of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke 1977, the issue of affirmative action ?specifically race-based affirmative action in admissions ? has been the center of a number of debates...."
Tags: allan, bakke, california, davis, of, quota, system, university
Abstract This paper examines the notion of multiculturalism in the United States. America has long been called "The Melting Pot" due to the fact that it is made up of a varied mix of races, cultures, and ethnicities. Therefore, a wide debate has begun over how to educate today's children. The paper presents different arguments, including teaching all children about all cultures, only their native culture, or only the present culture they live in. Pros and cons of these and several other possibilities are presented as well as compared. Methods of education are also discussed, such as how to go about teaching multiculturalism, and the benefits it offers teachers, students, parents, etc.
Abstract This paper takes a general look at autism, examining possible causes and the characteristics and symptoms of the disorder that lead to diagnosis, and shows how educational programs can help lessen the degree of autism a person suffers from.
From the Paper "Autism is a developmental disability that almost always appears in the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain; autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 500 individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1997). Autism occurs four times more frequently in boys than in girls, and cannot be correlated to race, ethnic background, family income, education level or lifestyle. "
A look into the adverse effects of the various versions of the Cinderella fairy tale on a child's self-esteem and how morals portrayed in the fairy tale can ruin a child's perception of him/herself.
1,590 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 8 sources, 2001, $ 52.95
Abstract This paper is concerning different kinds of Cinderella stories from different cultures. It makes interesting comparisons on major plot differences based on cultural differences. The main emphasis of the paper is on the negative messages that the tales portray to children (being ideals of superficiality and materialism) and the way that these influence children's self-esteem.
From the Paper "The truth is, the world has been shallow for ages. We learned such values when we were only children, and our parents learned the same values when they were children, and so on for centuries past, all from a simple bedtime story. The infamous story is Cinderella; the story of a beautiful girl who is mistreated by her ugly stepsisters, only to thwart them by eventually meeting, and immediately falling in love with, a rich, handsome prince. Almost any person you talk to will tell you that he or she was read this tale as a child, or is at least familiar with it. The characters in Cinderella stories embody values that are both superficial and materialistic, and the stories teach children to model their own lives after the characters in the stories in order to achieve the happy ending they want in their own lives. The different characters in the Cinderella stories show not only that true love is based on looks, but also that being unattractive reflects bad character. These lessons are taught in most Cinderella stories, three of which are the Disney Cinderella, the McLoughlin Brothers" "Cinderella", and the "Tale of the Anklet". These stories send bad messages to children because they have a negative effect on the children's self-esteem.?
Abstract This paper focuses on facts and statistics surrounding America's growing problem of illiteracy. The author discusses the major causes of illiteracy and the numbers of illiterates today. The author then presents some solutions to solve the problem.
From the Paper "?Call 1-800-ABC-DEFG; Hooked on Phonics worked for me.? Almost everyone has heard the commercial that uses this motto, Hooked on Phonics. Children of all ages tell how Hooked on Phonics helped them to read. For skeptical parents there is a money back guarantee if their children do not improve at least a letter grade on their next report card. Obviously something is wrong in America if fewer and fewer children are being taught how to read. Granted many children can read, but there is still little or no reading comprehension. Illiteracy is a never-ending cycle in America".
Abstract Over the last decade, computer use at home, industry and educational sites has risen dramatically. This paper shows how educators now have a wide variety of resources available to them, which may not be traditional resources. Educators who are in the field of teaching must adapt their classroom teaching methods and resources to include the newest technology. With this in mind, the subject of trends for instructional media and technology in the K-12 education setting is a topic in which many educators follow regularly. Because of the wide range of views and technology, many resources concerning this topic can be found.
From the Paper "The article titled "Are our children ready for the future" A look at technology in education? by Leslie Prawd (1996), gives a unique perspective of technologies past, present and future in the K-12 classroom. Specifically, Prawd (1996), points out that there are many areas in which classroom technology can improve in order to be ready for the future. In order to improve, there needs to be a commitment from the community and educators. Once this has taken place, educators will be able to continue to include additional technologies into the classroom and students will benefit from the inclusion of technology and the new activities in which they will participate."
Abstract This paper examines prayer in the American school systems It bases its arguments on a recent request by a Virginian school for a minutes silence dedicated to prayer. The paper provides a survey of historical court rulings on this matter and proceeds to analyze opinions for and against the recent decision by the Virginian court.
From the Paper "Our constitution bans state-imposed religion and protects freedom of worship. The line between those two can be very fine, and last November 7, the Supreme Court drew that line by reinforcing a ruling in Virginia allowing a minute of silence in schools. During this moment of silence, students might pray, meditate, or simply remain neutral."
Abstract This paper examines why it is necessary to learn algebra. It shows its everyday uses and importance. It uses some basic examples such as calculating the miles per gallon of a car, and solving a calendar riddle.
From the paper:
"Algebra is simply the branch of mathematics in which the operations and procedures of addition and multiplication are applied to variables rather than specific numbers. It is also probably the subject about which schoolchildren are most likely to ask the question: What good will this ever do me when I get out of school. This paper puts forth three different answers to that eternal question of what good will algebra do me?"
