Abstract This paper examines some of the ways to teach statistics that will best overcome some of the main problems that students encounter while learning statistics and offers solutions to these problems.
From the Paper "Students do not normally encounter statistics until they are in college--at least not on any kind of practicable level--unless they are in extremely advanced mathematics classes at their high school. Even so, not every high school offers statistics as a course, while almost every college does. Teaching and learning statistics is problematic for most college students and teachers because to learn and understand statistics, it is necessary to first have a grasp of some of the properties and features of higher mathematics. Many college students do not have these skills upon entering college, and many professors assume that they do have these skills when beginning to teach a statistics course."
Abstract This paper explains how, in schools, statisticaleducation is primarily taught in mathematics, yet statistical ideas are used in other subjects, including science and economics. It discusses why teachers and researchers need to constantly work towards improving statisticaleducation, leading to a great deal of research in the field. This paper examines existing research to determine how statisticaleducation research can be improved in the future.
From the Paper "Statistical education has become an important part of curriculums in all levels of education. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, statistical literacy is now a key objective in many classrooms. As a result, statistics is now being taught across various disciplines and is rapidly becoming a prerequisite course for graduation, regardless of a student's major. The teaching and learning of statistics has recently increased dramatically in many schools. As a result, many U.S. states now emphasize and include statistical thinking in their statewide curriculum guidelines."
Abstract The following paper presents information and statistics encouraging the use of multicultural education in classrooms. The United States has always been very diverse, but its diversity is growing more and more with each passing year. The paper first presents the numbers and statistics associated with this growing diversity as compared to the numbers in the past. Secondly, the paper points out some documented cases promoting the benefits of using multicultural education in classrooms. And lastly it presents some ideas and recommendations, which can be used by educators to implement into their curricula.
From the Paper "The first example of cultural differentiation was perhaps one major basis for why the United States was formed. A group of people sailed away from the culture and religion they once knew, and ventured out to a new land, to seek the freedom they longed for. And now as our country grows more culturally diverse it is essential that students be taught to accommodate with our ever-changing cultural landscape. Today, with more than one-fourth of the U.S. population is enrolled in school; the student population is quite diverse. One-fourth of the population accounts for about 72 million people, which were in school throughout the United States in October 1999. Eight million were enrolled in nursery school and kindergarten, 33 million in elementary school, 16 million in high school, and 15 million in college. Among children enrolled in kindergarten, the majority were White non-Hispanics (60 percent), followed by Blacks (16 percent), and Hispanics (17 percent). Asians and Pacific Islanders accounted for 5 percent of children enrolled in kindergarten. (1) The numbers accounting for children enrolled in elementary school are the highest, which is why it is essential that multicultural education be introduced at a very young age. The Institute of International Education estimates that there are 450,000 international students in the United States, and most of these students come from Asian and Latin American countries. (2) The presence of multiculturalism in American education is indisputable, but it is still a minority movement. Many skeptics feel that by integrating diversity into the American education system, it would be impoverishing the "White European" cultural model, thus doing away with the classics of art and literature, and depriving the students of essential knowledge. However, others have argued for the benefits of multicultural education as an active approach to learning, which encourages the learner to create his or her own knowledge. (3) As teachers prepare for the many educational challenges of the next century, it is essential that they learn how to build bridges between students' home cultures and the cultures of their school environment. These bridges are essential for student academic success, and without them, a serious disservice is done to both students and the larger society in every day life that will ultimately benefit from the development of their special talents. (4) Therefore, because our society has become so diverse, more teachers should implement multicultural education into their classrooms."
Abstract The paper relates the history of education for African-Americans and explores problems relating to education legislation. The paper looks at present education issues and concerns for African-American students and examines statistics relating to their drop-out rates. The paper concludes that there has been progress, to a degree, in educational attainment of the aspirations of African-American students, although there are still barriers.
Outline:
Introduction
History of Education for African Americans
Noted Problems Relating to Education Legislation
Present Education Issues and Concerns for African-American Students
Statistics Relating to Drop-out Rates of African-Americans
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Allen and Jewell (2002) states that: "...the Black struggle for higher education is an apt metaphor for the larger Black struggles for citizenship, self-determination and personhood in this society." The historical account of the African American race in obtaining access to higher education in the United States is characterized by many ups and downs. The aspirations of the African American individual of attaining higher education have been historically unattained due to existing barriers to higher education of Black individuals."
Abstract This paper explains that sex education in the schools has been an area of intense debate, from classrooms to the Supreme Court, in American education for many years. The major area of conflict generally is focused on the abstinence-only education approach, which is heavily supported by federal government funds. The author believes that education on abstinence is the moral solution. Teenagers will make responsible decisions only when they are educated on moral choices and not on the way they choose to prevent pregnancy; there is no safe sex. The paper concludes that, looking at the various statistics on unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among teenagers, it is clear that the requirement for a comprehensive sex education program is to teach postponement of sexual involvement and the way to protect themselves, if they choose to indulge in sex, to give maximum protection from the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
From the Paper "Teenagers require the right information to aid in protecting themselves as these statistics given below show. The teenage pregnancy rate in the US is more than double that of any western industrialized country. The number of teenagers becoming pregnant each year is greater than a million. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is the highest when compared to any age group. One out of every four youngsters contract some form of sexually transmitted diseases before the age of twenty-one. Sexually transmitted diseases have the potential to damage a teenager's health and the ability to reproduce. AIDS has still no cure."
Abstract This paper argues that landing a high-income job is directly related to having a high educational background; and conversely, having little or no education is directly related to low income, and worst of all, unemployment. It shows how education after high school is not only becoming more popular, but also demanding. The paper provides many statistics and data to back up this claim. Includes graph.
From the Paper "The importance of education has been emphasized since days of old. Education is usually regarded as the single most important determinant of a person's economic and social success. Education is linked to the happiness of an individual. The more education one pursues, the higher the income they will receive. In return, higher income brings forth private benefits. A person with a college degree, compared to a person with only a high school diploma, has a better chance of landing a white-collar job with a higher salary. Most people would rather have a "laid back" job that doesn't involve hard labor. Jobs like these are healthier on a person's body compared to blue collar work. With a high income, an individual usually gets better medical benefits and more social security to retire. Also, since education is linked to income, the personal commodities a person wishes to have for themselves is raised by higher education. Thus, education brings forth opportunity in the workplace. With a high educational background, a person has the opportunity to move up in position with a company, because he/she is properly trained."
Abstract This paper employs a variety of classical and modern resources (Tocqueville, Yeats, Bell Curve, Addison, Levine) to prove that America's educational problems (confirmed by various statistics) are a serious problem. Each of the reasons are strenuously examined with original interpretation of all sources.
Tags: american, and, decline, education, end, for, nearing, of, reasons
Abstract The paper begins with a definition and history of affirmative action in the U.S. The controversy surrounding this practice is then explored. Statistics are cited and the University of Michigan is used to illustrate the controversy. Advantages and disadvantages of the practice of affirmative action are discussed.
From the Paper "Much of the debate over affirmative action focuses on the notion that affirmative action gives preference to minorities at the expense of whites. For example, California's Proposition 209 ended local and state affirmative action programs in public employment, public education, and public contracting. Advocates of proposition 209 claim that affirmative action is unconstitutional since it gives preferential treatment to certain groups."
Abstract The paper discusses the United States' serious nursing crisis and predictions that this trend will only get worse in the future, showing that the changing demographics of an aging population are largely to blame. The paper also shows that nursing shortages are greater in areas requiring higher levels of education, such as Masters or Doctorate Degrees and that not enough nurses are pursuing educational paths to fill this need. Congress has offered tuition reimbursement and grant programs to help fund higher education and Nursing Associations are working to create faster tracks to a careers in nursing. Other methods discussed are media campaigns which have highlighted the advantages of nursing. This research examines the factors that influence a nurse's decision to pursue higher education and gives insight as to how to eliminate some of the barriers that prevent them from entering into higher education.
Table of Contents:
Literature Review
Scope of the Nursing Shortage
What is Being Done?
Have these Measures Been Effective?
Motivating Factors for Nurses to Pursue Continuing Education The Traditional Career Path
Distance Learning and the Nursing shortage
What this Research Hopes to Answer
Methodology
Data Collection
Subject Selection Criteria
Data Analysis
Assumptions
Limitations
Biases
Conclusion
From the Paper "Distance learning offers many advantages over traditional programs. The first advantage is cost. As distance learning facilities do not have the high costs of maintaining all of those classrooms as in a traditional setting, they have lower over head costs and can offer their services at a much lower rate. Convenience is the biggest advantage. Many nursing students start families and must begin working as soon as they obtain their license. They often have many job and family responsibilities that would prevent them from having a career and going to school, without sacrificing family or professional life. Distance learning allows them to work at home, many times at their own pace, and still enjoy the benefits of family and professional life."
Abstract This paper discusses the education systems in both Britain where it is similar to that in the U.S. and Japan which has one of the most rigorous educational systems in the world. It briefly describes the structure of both systems and the level of involvement of the government in both countries in setting the curriculum as well as relevant statistics. It provides a compare and contrast analysis between the education systems in both countries highlighting definate similarities such as compulsory education between the ages of 5 and 16 and major differences such as social problems in Japan due to pressures to excel. Common issues in both the British and Japanese education systems are enhancing diversity, providing children with the tools necessary to remain current with technological advances, strengthening the relationship between schools, families, and communities.
From the Paper "There are two parallel educational systems in Britain: the state system, where education is provided free, and the independent system, where parents normally pay fees. (The British Education System). Nearly 1 in 13 British school-age children are in the independent system. (The British Education System). Britain has a national curriculum, i.e., a statement of the minimum learning requirements of all children at each stage in their education. (The British Education System). This curriculum is compulsory in the state system and while independent schools are not bound by it, most of them teach what the national curriculum demands. (The British Education System)."
Abstract This paper examines the various reasons why bilingual education is not only necessary but also effective. The writer of this paper stresses the need for bilingual education as a step to wean students from their native language as effectively as possible and to get them into the educational mainstream. Critics of bilingual education believe that non-English speaking students are not sufficiently mastering the English language and as a result low test scores prove that education is failing them in both their native as well as their second language.
From the Paper "For children in primary, secondary, or even college level grades, as well as for their parents, bilingual education is a "must". Money must be found to develop and maintain a number of such bilingual programs. Bilingual education is, to repeat, a transitional step to wean school children from their native language, as effectively as possible, and to get them into the educational mainstream."
Abstract This paper examines the growth in online education across Canada and relates this growth to the growing demand placed upon the higher education industry by Canada's increasing population. It explains how Canada's rapid population growth is largely due to its liberal immigration policies and serving the educational needs of its burgeoning population is a challenge that online education seems more than capable of answering.
The writer points out that online education (OE) is delivered exclusively via the Internet or, alternatively, in tandem with or completely through the use of email or other Internet related technologies. The writer concludes that there is a definite mandate to expand OE across Canada as a way to not only service the needs of a growing population but also to deliver higher education solutions to remote populations in need of these services.
From the Paper "Across North America and certainly in Canada, the rise in online education programs is roughly comparable to the increase not only in secondary education participation but also the overall number of college/university programs being offered. Online degrees and online education programs, although equivalent in many respects to traditionally formatted distance programs, are differentiated from other distance programs in that they are strictly delivered via the Internet whereas distance programs can be delivered in various other media formats. However, although the format may differ the overall concept is the same: to increase the educational options available to learners who seek or need alternate access options relevant to their education needs."
Abstract In this essay the writer discusses that research in education has traditionally been limited in scope because much of the information that is gathered is often subjective. The writer points out that when individual or group opinions affect the outcome of research there are often limits to the usefulness of the results. Therefore, quantitative research began to be developed that would provide factual data to demonstrate measurements for a variety of issues in education. Yet, the writer notes that Cohen, Manion and Morrison contend that effective research in education is comprised of information that is both statistical and subjective.
From the Paper "Data provides evidence that can be measured, and opinion furthers that data through thought processes that are part of the human experience. The authors suggest that when quantitative research is conducted, therefore, it is important for data to be specifically directed at one element of concern. When this is accomplished, interpretations of the material may have a greater ... "
Abstract This paper provides an experiment that tests the hypothesis that the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) presents a problem for regular education teachers in public schools as it detracts from the time that they are able to spend instructing and aiding regular students because they are busy with the integrated disabled students. Hypothesis testing ideas included in this table are those of null hypothesis, alternative (statistical) hypothesis, significance, level, Type 1 and Type 2 error and internal validity threats.
From the Paper "In the United States of the 1970s, there was educational legislation passed by the U.S. government under the name of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, or the IDEA. The IDEA strove to level the playing field for the nation's many children suffering from disabilities, be they physical or mental in nature, by requiring that these students be incorporated into the "least restrictive" environment of regular classrooms, instead of their traditional setting of special education classrooms (The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) 1-2). However, this legislation has been thought to be somewhat detrimental to the educational environment of the "regular" students in classrooms, as teachers might be diverted from helping these students while attending to the many and varied needs of the disabled students."
Abstract This paper explains that the objective of this research proposal is to study the effect of year round education on academic performance, attendance, cost, dropout rate and teacher perception and retention.The author points out that the method of research in this study is quantitative with a quasi-experimental design. The paper also relates that the independent variables in this study are whether the student is in the year-round education schedule or the traditional school.
Outline:
Problem Statement
General Problem
Need for Study
Specific Problem Proposed for Research
Introductory Words Describing Method and Research Design
General Population
Purpose of Study
Quantitative Quasi-Experimental Study, Research Variables that include Independent, Dependent, Etc.
Specific Population and Geographic Location
Significance of the Study
Importance of
Contribution of the Research
Significance of this Study to the Field of Leadership
The Knowledge This Research Adds to the Literature on Leadership in Schools
From the Paper "The school is reported to have had "both year round education and traditional education from 1998-2001." Hall County is located in the northern part of the state of Georgia on the 'urban fringe of the metro Atlanta area." Hall County has been assessed as doing "well in some areas, but could use improvements in other areas. Much opportunity and potential exists for enhancing the community's performance." The population of Hall County is steady and has been for several decades."
