Abstract
The paper discusses Jonathan Kozol's article, "The Single Worst, Most Dangerous Idea", which is structured as a letter to a first-year teacher whereby Kozol tries to move the subject of the teacher's concern from standardized testing to the voucher discussion. The paper relates that the article discusses the issue of education vouchers in New York and notes that Kozol disagrees strongly with the idea of vouchers, because in his words, they give the incorrect impression that a voucher will enable parents in poor neighborhoods to send their children to the kinds of private schools attended by children of the affluent. The paper further notes that Kozol feels very strongly about this issue, and that something should be done to prevent segregation from prevailing in the public and private school system.

From the Paper
"The selection process will also lead to some segregation, he proposes just because of the nature of the process. Because a lottery process is used to narrow the list of applicants, the application process has become somewhat extensive and esoteric; that is, applicants typically only learn how to fill out an application based on referral from a family with a student currently enrolled in the institution or from a newspaper such as The New York Times, Kozol claims that it is inevitable that many parents from the South Bronx looking to use their vouchers for the education will never be informed of the proper application process, and thus the voucher system is flawed in that way (Kozol 57). The last main argument Kozol makes is that to disprove how voucher advocates say any segregation will cease to exist once the free-market of education takes over and schools compete to vie for the attention for the prospective students' applications. Kozol says that hoping this will happen places too much "blind faith" in the system, such that everyone involved will act responsibly and according to the public's best interest rather than their own (Kozol 58). Overall, Kozol systematically attempts to disprove his opposition's claims one by one, and in the process shows a very strong opinion against the implementation of a voucher system."

Tags:privatization, less, fortunate, educational, opportunities

Abstract
The writer relates that the neighborhood he has chosen for this profile is one that he made an effort to choose for its very typical and ordinary layout for the Western United States. The writer adds that it is located in the suburbs in an area that was undeveloped land less than a century ago, so in the broad perspective it can be considered fairly recently developed. To help make the task of analyzing its nature easily, the writer relates that he has broken the analysis down into several major categories, which are discussed in order. These are: types of dwelling (residential / commercial), economics (class), and the natural environment of the neighborhood.

From the Paper
"The nature of human communities has evolved by an incredible amount over the centuries, and such communities have taken on many different forms in different cultures and civilizations. In the United States, the form of social community has also evolved, but over a shorter period of time. Since the beginning of the age of expansion and industrialization in the 19th century, and on into the 20th century, the way we construct and think of neighborhoods has evolved at a faster and faster pace. Especially over the past generation, the transformation in our neighborhoods has been remarkable. However, certain fundamental qualities of a neighborhood..."

Tags:neighborhoods, planning, urbanism

Abstract
This paper explains that European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) was developed to combat some of the European security issues that exist in Europe. Authorities believe that the ENP would enhance the European Union's ability to secure the region against terrorism and would help promote the economy and overall quality of life of the region. The author points out that originally the ENP applied to its direct neighbors: Algeria, Belarus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine. Later, however, it was extended to include the countries of the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) with whom the present candidate countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, share either a maritime or land border. The paper concludes that by eradicating terrorists or criminal activities and by strengthening the political and justice systems in the country, the ENP will be helpful to Georgia. The paper includes many quotations.

Table of Contents:
Introduction to Study
Introduction
Background/ History
Theoretical Framework
European Integration Theory
Social Theory and International Negotiation Theory
Literature Review
Purpose of the EU
EU Pursues Two Main Types of Policies towards the Rest of the World
Economic Policies
Foreign and Security Policies through the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Defense Policy Cooperation
Enlargement
Development of ENP
ENP Framework: Objectives, Principles and Instrument
European Security Strategy as a Foundation of ENP
The European Neighborhood Policy
Trade and Competitiveness
Development
Strategic Relations, Political Dialogue and CFSP
EU-Georgia Relations
From Partnership to Neighborhood and beyond Neighborhood Policy
EU-Georgia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
Analysis
Looking at the Neighborhood from Georgian Perspective
Why is ENP Important for EU and for Georgia?
The Military Sector
The Economic Sector
The Education Sector
The Environmental Sector
The Society Sector
The Political Sector
How Sectors are Synthesized
EU Interests towards Black Sea Region: Why Georgia Matters?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to the commission's report these agreements permit the expansion of cooperation and economic amalgamation across a variety of domains. The effects of these agreements have not been realized at the current time. In any case, the ENP provides a foundation for improved cooperation in many distinct domains so that the EU and its partners can realize the full benefit of the structures that are in place (European Neighborhood Policy). To this end, the Action Plans will establish key priorities to be tackled in the years to come."

Tags:bilateral, action, integration, sector, terrorism

Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the rationale for communities wanting baseball teams and their facilities in their neighborhood, followed by an analysis of some typical examples from recent years. A discussion of current and future trends in the impact of baseball teams and their facilities on neighborhood economies is then followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

From the Paper
"There are a number of other indications of the continuing popularity of sports and those who play them as well. "Since the beginning of the twentieth century," Guthrie and Jozsa report, "sports have assumed a growing role in American culture" (3). Millions of Americans watch and listen to daily broadcasts of baseball games and their results, as well as the minutiae involved in the sport. Millions of other fans enjoy their weekly games at ballparks located in cities, towns, and suburbs across North America (Guthrie & Jozsa 1999). Other examples include America's fascination with sports figures and their peccadilloes that continue to dominate American headlines, and a more recent trend has avid fans discussing a vast array of sports topics on talk radio and prime-time television programs. "Even minute changes in the operation and ownership of teams receive top billing in the press."

Tags:ballpark, investment, future, business, community, league, cities, first, class, sports

Abstract
A study of the laws in New York and California, specifically their sex crime laws, shows that underneath the diverse shells, at the heart these two states are very similar. The paper shows that a shift in public opinion over the past several decades has brought a new version of regulations in both states and both New York and California have had to review what they once considered crimes. On top of this, grassroots organizations like Parents for Megan's Law - an influential group of parents intent on keeping their neighborhoods safe via registration of dangerous sex offenders - have forced legislatures to assess the anomie inherent in a growing society, and what effect it has on recidivism rates. The paper shows that the end result is a conglomeration of laws that marry restrictive with permissive, and gives New York and California top prize conjointly for forward thinking in the United States. Nonetheless, laws on the books in New York show a decidedly more restrictive bent, whereas California's laws lean toward the permissive, and the results are telling for which method is most effective.

From the Paper
"California had a head start over most of the United States in applying the spirit of Megan's Law to the sex offenders. Since 1944, California has made it compulsory for sex offenders to register their whereabouts with the state. As the state's population has grown and the community has become more transient, a lack of concrete normalcy in behavior has caused California to revisit its laws to include more deviant and unsettling conduct. One of the biggest adjustments to the laws already implemented was an internet presence intended to provide its residents with as easy, effective way to ferret out potential dangers in their neighborhoods. But according to the Office of the Attorney General of California, about one-quarter of convicted sex offenders are not listed there."

Tags:Labeling, Theory, Sex, Offender, Tracking, Program, pornography, prostitution

Abstract
In this article, the writer summarizes four articles on the sociology of Hispanic/Latino Americans, each of which addresses a different aspect of the Hispanic/Latino culture in America. These aspects include religious preferences, locational patterns of ethnic groups, danger in neighborhoods and demographics of this group in the U.S.

From the Paper
"The sociology of Hispanic Latino Americans in America is exemplified by four articles selected for review. Each of these articles examines some aspect of the Hispanic Latino culture as it relates to cultural diversity and the role of Hispanics Latinos in our culture. This paper will provide a summary of each of the articles highlighting the main issues identified in each The first article Latinos moving away from Catholicism by Jeff Diamant explains the shift in Latino demographics from virtually exclusive subscription to Catholicism-approximately a few ..."

Tags:Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Americans, immigration, culture, diversity, demographics, religion, Catholicism, segregation, residential

Abstract
This paper explains that, on the basis of variant external awareness of the group's activities, a group formally turns out to be a gang as it gives out reactions to the awareness. This paper points out that many gangs undertake an array of entrepreneurial activities patterned to give money to members and esteem and authority to the gang. The paper relates that family disarray is another important impact in enrolling in a gang; deficient family manipulation plans boost the danger of gang enrollment.

Table of Contents
Definition
Review of Literature
Theoretical Image of Gangs
Major Components
Policy Implications

From the Paper
"By the middle of 1960s, research and analytical studies on youth gang formation summed up yet another conceptual facet. During this time, sociologists debated that youth gangs were created in accordance with social events, and that gang members were of loose morals or inadequately socialized entities who tied up together to do delinquent activities in groups rather than as separate entities. Malcolm Klein's portrayal of a gang mirrors the evolution from a subculture/class analysis to a social reaction study. A gang is any noticeable adolescent group of youngsters who are generally envisaged as a separate sum of others in their neighborhood; acknowledge themselves as an identifiable group, almost differentially with a group name and have been taking part in a required number of criminal events to call for a persistent opposition from nearby residents and/or enforcement agencies. (Klein, p.45) And finally, the chief aim of studies on youth gangs revolved around the association between gangs and delinquency. Nowadays, scholars are inclined to envisage youth gang creation bonded with some attire of criminality, chiefly violence and drug application and dissemination."

Tags:group, neighborhood, policy, family, entrepreneurial

Abstract
The paper relates the opinions of individuals on the level of crime on the TriMet and then discusses the initiatives that have been undertaken to improve security, including new officers, cameras and new fare inspectors. The paper shows how the TriMet system is still not considered safe by many who are not only wary of the crime at rail stations, but are afraid of the crime which the train system may bring to their neighborhoods. The paper also shows how while the TriMet system is implementing additional security, police and improved supervision overall, safety is a very real issue facing the TriMet rail system.

Outline:
The Lack Thereof
Steps towards Safety
Conclusive Service Additions
An Introduction to the Un-Safe System
Comparative Forces of Safety
Barriers to Rail Expansion
Further Criminal Concerns
The Organized Opposition
The Necessity of Increased Police Involvement
The Conclusive Danger

From the Paper
"As a result of this recognition in regards to the crime on the TriMet, a number of initiatives have been undertaken. The first of these is the addition of more security within the train system. More officers alongside fare inspectors are being put in place so as to raise the amount of personnel in the area. In addition to this, cameras are being added throughout the system so as to provide continued observation of the area useful for after-the-fact enforcement and evidence for any infractions. The number of individuals to be added has been determined to be at 15 for the time being. These officers will augment the force by over 30%, increasing the number of staff from the existing 43 to a grand total of 58, with the newly added individuals being evenly distributed throughout the Portland Metro area. (Rivera, C01) The effect of the new staff is expected to be felt throughout the train-riding experience."

Tags:security, inspectors, police, cameras, stations

Abstract
This paper reviews and analyzes the literature regarding at-risk students, their need to have a quality continuation and alternative education and the need for high quality teachers to make these programs successful. The author points out that the drop-out rate in America, especially in big urban areas, remains a serious problem. These at-risk young people are in need of leadership and alternatives to gangs, drugs, idleness and stagnation. The paper stresses that the logical way to attack this problem is through great, not merely "good", continuation programs.

Table of Contents:
What are Continuation Schools?
Definition of an At-Risk Student
History of Continuation Schools
How Do Continuation Schools Operate?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"An article in the journal "Preventing School Failure" has a somewhat different thrust than previous articles mentioned in this review of the literature. Indeed, this scholarly article asserts that while there has been "a tremendous growth" in the availability of alternative educational programs for at-risk young people, there is "little empirical evidence" available today to actually identify the various components that are required to build effective continuation programs. And so the authors present studies of alternative school programs in order to offer some data and information that can be used by educators in building better continuation programs."

Tags:summerhill, dangerous neighborhood, independent study format, credit accrual, cynical