The Unconstitutionality of Capital Punishment Essay -- Argumentative P

The Unconstitutionality of capital Punishment Capital penalisation is one of the most popularly debated topics in the nation today. Since compound times, more than 13,000 people have been legally executed. A large percentage of these executions occurred during the early 1900s. In the 1930s, as many as 150 people were macrocosm legally executed every year. However, the number of executions started to decrease as public outrage became apparent. In 1996, thirty-seven states, including New Jersey, legalized the death penalty. Of the other thirteen states, international mile abolished the death penalty in 1847, Minnesota in 1853, and Alaska and Hawaii never had the death penalty. Today, there are over 2,000 people on death row. just about all are very poor, and a significant number of them are mentally retarded or disabled (ACLU 1). The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) dictates that, In all circumstances, the death penalty is unconstitutional under the Eight Amendment, and that its discriminatory application violates the Fourteenth Amendment (1), and therefore, capital punishment violates the Constitution. Capital punishment should be vicious throughout the nation for many reasons.Capital punishment has many supporters. One of the major arguments that these supporters express is that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to crime. They point that if the death penalty is legalized and practiced, it will discourage others from committing a crime. However, by comparing the data of the states with the death penalty and the states without the death penalty, one can easily suffer that the death penalty has no effect in deterring crime. According to the National Research Council in 1976, the available studies provide no useful evidence on th... ...deterrence, it is incapacitation(Kaminer)C. Human judgment is not infallible1. The risk of executing the innocent is too high.2. The death penalty is final-no way to reverse.3. Death Penalty and Sentencing Informa tion study.D. Unconstitutionality1. Violates the ordinal Amendment-prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment(Litardo).2. Violates the Fourteenth Amendment-guarantees of equal protection of the laws and due process(Litardo).E. Discrimination1. Gender discrimination(Bedau).2. Racial discrimination(Bedau).3. Socio-economic level discrimination(Bedau).III. ConclusionA. Capital punishment is not an effective way of approaching the crime problem.1. Capital punishment has many different difficulties as an attempt to decrease and prevent crime2. Capital punishment should be illegal throughout the nation.

Halloween And Christianity :: essays research papers

Halloween and Christianity     It is often said that Halloween is not the "harmless" holiday it isthought to be, instead it is believed to be a pagan ritual which dates back tothe ancient Celtic Druids. According to the article "Should Our Kids CelebrateHalloween?" in Catholic Digest Halloweens origin is very much Christian andAmerican.     Although the ancient Celts celebrated a minor festival on the 31st ofOctober, it fell on that day because the Feast of All Saints or "All Hallows" fall on November 1st. During the 840s Pope Gregory IV gad All Saints Day to becelebrated everywhere. The day before the feast became known as "All Hallows yet" or "Halloween". At the time, that day did not have any real significance.In the year of 998, the abbot of the monastery of Cluny in southern France, St.Odilo added a celebration on November 2nd called All Souls Day. The newcelebration was a feast whose purpose was to recognize those in heaven and inpurgatory.     The tradition of nip offing up in costumes on Halloween is derived fromthe Feast of All Souls Day in France. During the 14th and 15th centuries whenEurope was hit by outbreaks of the bubonic plague, about half of its populationwas wiped out. Since demeanor spans were greatly shortened because of the plague,Catholics began to focus on the after life. The number of Masses help largelyincreased and people of all social classes gathered to dress in differentgarments and lead lost spirits to the tomb in a daisy chain which became knownas the "Dance of Death".     Dressing up did not become part of Halloween until the creation of theBritish colonies in North America. During that period of time, Catholics had nolegal rights in England. At times English Catholics act to resist. Onesuch occasion was a plot to destroy King James I and his Parliament withgunpowder. The plan was ill-conceived and easily foiled when the observe of thepowder, Guy Fawkes, was found and hung on November 5, 1605. The date becamewidely celebrated in England. Bands of revelers began to wear masks on that date

Civilization Paper -- essays research papers

Civilization is a term used in many different ways. It canbe defined as people who eat the aforesaid(prenominal) kind of foods,People who live in concert, people who speak the aforesaid(prenominal)language, and so on. Yet each way that it is defined relatestowards the same topic Humans and their existence on theplanet. Civilization is known greatly as a group of humans oranimals that live generally together and practice the samehabits.Civilization, according to some historians, first came intoplay in the year 3000 BCE. These historians look atcivilization as people who have the same dietary needs andhabits, who practice these habits regularly in order tosurvive. A couple of years before 3000 BCE, the worldwent through what historians call the Agricultural revolution.They tonicity that because of this revolution, groups of peoplestarted to come together to practice their state ways.Because of all the new food supplies that came aboutthrough the agricultural revolution, the popula tion started togrow into little villages, which finally turned into citystates. This caused people to look further beyond their littlevillages in search of more land to hold their growingpopulations. This caused groups of people to match off andform their own little towns or civilizations. After a while thepeople learned that by being in different places their farmingencountered different weather and growing conditions.Forcing them to grow products that will grow moresufficiently in their new conditions. Thi...

Robinson Crusoe :: Free Essay Writer

Robinson CrusoeRobinson Crusoe was written by Daniel Defoe. The novel was firstpublished in 1719. It tells the story of a young explorer who becomes maroonedon a deserted island. His experiences of the island change his vista on life. Daniel Defoe was a short story writer that came from an poor family.Defoe was poor for most of his life and made his living as a butcher and awriter. Defoe generally wrote short stories and political essays. Robinson Crusoewas a combination of two short stories. Many believe Defoe used RobinsonCrusoe to portray himself in a certain ways. The description was almostidentical to his avouch and after his wife left him, he felt as if he was marooned on a deserted island. The story takes place in the 1700s on a deserted island somewhere off thecoast of Brazil. The island is fairly large in size and has a small shore. Theinterior of the island has many trees, wild pigs and other small animals and asmall hollow in which Crusoe stores food. I walked about th e shore lifting up my hands. Look around, I see nothing but water, a forest, and the remains of my ship. At first, I was xenophobic of wild animals but after some exploration of the land, the only animals I had seen were wild pigs, squirrels, and some small birds.The only possessions that Crusoe retrieved from the remains of his ship were asmall knife, a niche of tabacco, a pipe, and a small book that would later becomehis journal. Robinson Crusoe was a young and stubborn explorer. He was extremelytall and strong. His stay on the island changed him from a mean, stubborn manto an open-minded protestant. stand at six feet, two inches and having my long, thick brown hair back in a ponytail, I felt as if I was eight feet tall. Without the licence of my parents, I was still sailing away from the misery. I held the cargo box is my strong arms, waiting to board my beautiful ship.Crusoe became a skilled craftsman and was an extremely religious man due tohis stay on the island. Being th e only man on the entire island, he established afaith in God. He overly became more articulate from writing in a journal daily.Overall, his stay on the island changed Crusoes life greatly. As the story begins, Robinson Crusoe defies his parents and sets out tosea. Crusoe encounters a series of reddish storms at sea and ends up in Africa.

Essay --

Eddie Martinez11/30/2013History 380-History of waver n ramble onResearch PaperRock and throw away was one of the biggest musical, cultural, and social. It was one of the biggest events that has changed the face of music. But this incredible change didnt happen overnight. While the term was coined in the 1950s, movements had already been rolling in those directions for a few decades. So many genres and styles contributed to the rise of Rock and hustle and to the different ranges of types that stemmed from it. While there are countless styles and artist that contributed to creating the sound and coating and Rock and Roll there are a few groups that particularly embodied the ideals of Rock and Roll and greatly added to its already rich style. Rock and Rolls origins cook been highly debated. Because of its significant impact on society, people are very involved and interested on its development and its decline into its various subcategories. Music has everlastingly had direct li nks to the culture and people it emerges from. The styles that predominantly make up the roots of Rock and Roll begin earliest from jazz and most significantly swing in the 1930s. the time leading up to Rock and Roll coincided with the time leading up to the civil rights movement in the 1960s. both Rock and Roll as well as the Civil rights movement for African Americans erupted in the 1960s after many decades of built up tension. The styles that contributed to Rock and Roll are a combination of White and Black styles of music that were fused and came together as early as the 1930s.Of course when anyone thinks about Rock and Roll they think of the man with full slicked backed hair and a white rhinestone jumpsuit. Elvis Aaron Presley was a singer, musician, and ... ... most original and amazing songs out there. primarily the band felt that their first album was too much pop there was no meaning in the words. But by the time they released gum elastic Records, which they felt was on e of their most cohesive and best records, they were at full Beatles swing. It was all them. The band went through quite a genre transition and cut across all kinds of musical styles in the ten years that they were together. They started out as being a skiffle group, they then embraced 50s rock and roll, folk, country, psychedelic, and yet free popular and unique. It has been said that before this time there had never been a song that could blend so many different styles and components from so many assorted influences could be put together to make something new. At the end, when things were becoming strained in the group, individual tastes began to surface.

Essay --

Eddie Martinez11/30/2013History 380-History of Rock n roll outResearch PaperRock and cast of characters was one of the biggest musical, cultural, and social. It was one of the biggest events that has changed the face of music. But this incredible change didnt happen overnight. While the enclosure was coined in the 1950s, movements had already been rolling in those directions for a few decades. So many genres and styles contributed to the rise of Rock and Roll and to the different ranges of types that stemmed from it. While thither are countless styles and artist that contributed to creating the sound and culture and Rock and Roll there are a few groups that particularly embodied the ideals of Rock and Roll and greatly added to its already rich style. Rock and Rolls origins have been highly debated. Because of its significant impact on society, people are very involved and interested on its development and its decline into its various subcategories. Music has always had direct li nks to the culture and people it emerges from. The styles that predominantly make up the roots of Rock and Roll begin earliest from jazz and most importantly swing in the 1930s. the time leading up to Rock and Roll coincided with the time leading up to the civil rights movement in the 1960s. both Rock and Roll as well as the Civil rights movement for African Americans erupted in the 1960s afterward many decades of built up tension. The styles that contributed to Rock and Roll are a combination of White and Black styles of music that were fused and came together as wee as the 1930s.Of course when anyone thinks about Rock and Roll they think of the man with full slicked backed hair and a white rhinestone jumpsuit. Elvis Aaron Presley was a singer, musician, and ... ... most original and amazing songs out there. Originally the band felt that their first album was too much pop there was no meat in the words. But by the time they released Rubber Records, which they felt was one of t heir most cohesive and best records, they were at full Beatles swing. It was all them. The band went done quite a genre transition and crossed all kinds of musical styles in the ten years that they were together. They started out as being a skiffle group, they thence embraced 50s rock and roll, folk, country, psychedelic, and yet still popular and unique. It has been said that before this time there had never been a song that could blend so many different styles and components from so many diverse influences could be put together to make something new. At the end, when things were becoming strained in the group, individual tastes began to surface.

Importance and Scope of Commerce

Since the second part of the 20th century, the foundation is entered in the in the raw-made era of the globalization. This era began with the creation of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) in 1947 which finally lead to the creation of the WTO (World Trade Organization) in 1995. Those organizations have for objectives to accelerate, in the world scale, exchanges of goods, function by limiting the barriers of the commerce between the countries. In this era of globalization, the commerce has a central place.The importance of the commerce is in the fact that it provides goods and services which be easing the life of the consumer all around the world. Commerce is a preponderant vector of economics development and growth for countries. Indeed, the countries the most powerful, on an economical layover of view, are the countries which dominate the worlds business, like the United States of America, China or Arabic countries due to the oils market.The opening of economies to the rest of the world and the trade liberalization (which can be reach thanks to the GATT and WTOs work) are essential steps to improve the well-being of populations. It contributes to reducing poverty and aid countries to accelerate their progress (developing countries). The final objective of commerce is to make all the countries economically independent, in a sustainable way. Due to the importance of commerce in the present day world, there is a ageless development of businesses and specific jobs in relation with commerce.That means that more and more people are in use(p) in commerce and concerned by this activity. So, the scope of commerce is very(prenominal) wide and is still changing day after day. Indeed, since the world is growing ( refreshing consumers, new way of life ) and the technology are changing, there is new businesses which open every day worldwide. Furthermore, there is a change in the worlds economy which influences the scope of commerce. For example, in one hand we can see that all the manufacturing companies are moving to developing countries to benefit of the low-cost labor force, in China or India for example.So it changes the frontiers of commerce by create new players in the world business. In the other hand, the developed countries have to find new opportunities for maintain their importance. So they explore new fields for business like the Internet. Thus, most of the companies from developed countries are moving toward the internet by the creation of a new way of make business the e-commerce. With this opening on the virtual world for commerce, it expends more and more the scope of commerce.And you can guess that in the approximative future, with the development of new technologies, companies from developed countries will find other field to continue their business. So, we can conclude that the importance of the commerce in our society is very strong and that his scope is as wide as commerce is important in the 21st century . But we have to keep in mind that the live limits of commerce wont be the same tomorrow and are not the same as yesterday because the scope of commerce is in constant evolution each day, new entrants are coming to the business replacing other players who disappear.

Marketing: Strategic Innovation in Globally Diverse Markets Essay

Personalized marketing (some cadences referred to as one-to-one marketing) is the marketer attempt to provide the guest individual attention finished a stochastic variable of methods. Personalized marketing is a strategic approach which involves tailoring products several(predicate)ly for each and every consumer while retaining the principles of mass production. One-to-one marketing is attri just nowable to twain converging phenomena the interactive flow of information made possible by robots and just-in-time inventory (Lampel & Mintzer, 1996, p. 1).In order for a company to be effective in personalized marketing, the company must be able to gather information on the target individual. Today, with the power of engineering science this is a widespread practice on the Internet. The Internet provides a medium to make one-on-one personalization practical for a salmagundi of firms (Schibsted, 2001). For example, a web page may establish cookies and track the acquire habits of the c ustomer. Based on the customer buying habits, advertisements are geared towards that individual.An example of personalized marketing is something I witness on a regular bases, but did non realize it was referred to as personalized marketing. I consistently purchase items through Amazon. com, in which I typically purchase books. Amazon. com routinely sends me emails, informing me of gross sales or populates my home page with advertisements relating to certain categories of books I typically purchase. As pointed out by Vesanen, (2007), wear outments in information and chat technologies have opened up new opportunities to collect and analyze info and implement personalized marketing (p. 09).In todays market there is an increase in customer satisfaction. In order for businesses to succeed and be competitive they must be in tune to the customer wishings and wants. Marketing to the individual customer stinkpot be profitable to the company as long as the method of gathering the data and establishing personalization is not complex. As studied by Goldsmith & Frieden (2004), data warehouses allow companies to store trillions of bytes of consumer information. Computer controlled factory equipment , and industrial robots bottomland quickly readjust assembly lines.Bar code scanners make it possible to track move and products. The Internet ties it all together and makes it easy for a company to interact with customers, learn about their preferences, and respond. Personalize marketing can benefit some companies as yet it would be much more difficult for a store to personalized catalogs, pamphlets, or fliers for each of its customers, by proposing deals, rebates and reductions based on the customers shopping habits. Not save would it be difficult, but it would not be cost effective for a company to engage in this type of personalization.Personalization can take many forms, from the customization of weave sites to the customization of products. Whatever the extent of it, it is an expensive and time-consuming action at law. While Amazon is the leader in this type of customization, few others are succeeding (Goldsmith & Frieden). alive(p) Pricing Dynamic pricing is broadly defined as the buying and selling of goods and services in markets where expenditures are free to adjust in response to supply and get hold of conditions at the individual transaction level (Garbarino & Lee, 2003, p. 495). From a business point of view, dynamic pricing is a profitable concept in personalized marketing.For example, a customer may go to a car dealer and do not see the car they would standardised on the lot. Therefore, a car is coherent with exact specifications and because of the specialty requirements the price of the car increases, making the transaction profitable for the business. Dynamic pricing enables the business to increase the price on an item lace customers allegiance, along with enhancing customer satisfaction. Carroll & Coastes (1999) state t hat economics define price discrimination as the practice of charging multiple prices for the same good where the difference in price is based on a difference in demand rather than cost.There are three degrees of pricing models commonly used in the sell marketplace * First-degree price discrimination different prices are charged based on what the buyer is testamenting to pay * Second-degree price discrimination offers a variety of pricing options * Third-degree price discrimination market-segmentation pricing (Garbarino & Lee, p. 498). From a business last point, first-degree price discrimination is more profitable because it obtains the maximum value of the item. However, from a consumer stand point second-degree price discrimination can offer more value to the customer.It allows customers to choose the pricing option that will work for them, based on their desires and requirements. Online Retailers versus Offline Retailers The manifestation of online sellers is compelling retailers to reassess their business practices and the use of engineering. Integrating online and offline channels are very much on the minds of retailers, and it is forcing them to understand how to manage relationships across multiple channels. Retailers need to understand who their customers are, understand their behavior, and execute seamlessly across those channels (Beasty, 2006).Online retail is the fastest growing channel in which consumers purchase products. Integrating online retailing with offline retailing comes with legion(predicate) problems. The consumer may see a product in the store for one price and see that same item online at a different price. Retailers cope nationally and locally on prices and products. Someone in Florida may not want to purchase the same products as someone in Washington D. C. or you may have a retailer located in California, but the companys web site can be accessed by anyone that can utilize the web.According to study by Beasty, (2006), you mainly see this problem when consumer purchasing is based primarily on price. For example, a PlayStation is a PlayStation no subject area where you purchase it, but saving $20 makes a big difference to customers. Another example is a few years ago Circuit city gave one price online, another(prenominal) price in their ad, and a different price in the store, all for the same item, without any explanation as to wherefore (para. 6). This leaves the consumer frustrated, confused and a lack of understanding. Francis, (2007) studies states that one size does not fit all in the Internet retailing marketplace.The author categorized Internet retailing as follows * Offline goods items such as, books, groceries, and CDs are purchased and the consumer disengage from the web site and wait for their order to be delivered * Offline services consumer pay for or book services, such as, travel, casing tickets, and hotels online than travel to an offline service deliver location * Electronic-goo ds the consumer purchase and download their products, such as software, MP3s, and digital books directly from a website and * Electronic Services the consumer purchase, co-produce, and consume the internality service, such as banking, brokerage, chat/dating services via a web site.Online retailers must recognize the difference variations in online shopping and ensure customers requirements are effectively and properly addressed. Traditional methods of advertising include billboards, TV commercials, radio ads and posters. Companies still use the traditional methods of advertising , but they use the Internet to their advantage by incorporating new advertising with traditional advertising. The habits of todays consumer dictate the method of advertising for a company to stay competitive. The invention of the TV digital photograph recorders (DVRs) and the consumer fast-forwarding through commercials makes TV advertising less effective in todays marketplace.To remain relevant and com petitive companies have a multitude of different formats of online advertising, such as banner ads, pop-up ads, floating ads, streaming sidebar ads, pull banner ads, and text ads, just to name a few. In addition, many companies ask you to like their link, in which the companys page is now on your Facebook or Twitter page. This enables Facebook or Twitter to determine your shopping habits, and you can visit a companys site right from you social media page. Offline stores has responded to the competition of online retailers by sending out a variety of advertisements, such as direct-mail flyers, catalogs, television, via mobile phones, and the Internet.In addition, offline stores have responded by increasing their presence on the web as well as creating appealing experience within the offline store. Today, many offline stores are tyrannical the online market with their presence. charge though, online shoppers experience a delay in receiving their product, online stores are continuous ly improving the delivery turnaround time. In addition, most online stores do not charge taxes, include free tape remove, and offer free returns or exchanges. However, some online companies may charge a low-price for an item, but compensate by charging higher prices for shipping and handling. Nevertheless, most online stores are growing faster than offline store.The expansion of the Internet has change magnitude the variety of pricing models gettable, for example * Per-user model involves either a flat tiptoe per user or a tiered fee structure based on the level of use * Per-transaction model a rate structure is certain to account for different automated processes or functions * Percentage-of-revenue model is like the per-transaction model in that the monthly fee will fluctuate as the level of activity changes it differs, however, in that the model is tied to the amount of revenue the user generates each month * Fixed-fee model a lump-sum monthly fee that covers products a nd services specified in the contract. Fixed-fee pricing models typically appeal to organizations that want costs to be predictable (Turisco, 2000). The online retailer has to determine which pricing model fits their needs and which pricing model will benefit the company financially and satisfy the consumer.In addition, the company must also consider their overhead and their anticipated growth. Globalization Influence and Marketing Trends Even though, globalization has brought benefits between nations, it has also brought universal problems between nations. According to Kearney, (2003), September 11 was a gruesome vindication of the argument that global integration had widened the fault between the haves and have-nots. The author further argues that the persistence of al Quada underscores how hard it is for governments to stamp out stateless, decentralized networks that move freely, quickly, and stealthily across national borders to engage in terror.Marketers need to recognize the pros and cons of globalization, utilize the benefits, and do not become submerse with complex situations that come with globalization. Authors Reddy & Vyas (2004) reviewed 10 pros and cons associated with globalization from a marketing perspective. The pros include economic growth, rapid technology transfer, more countries becoming democracies, the rapid spread of free enterprise system, unification of culture, living norms, and work ethic, increased communication through the Internet and other media, instant news worldwide, worldwide improvement of health and living conditions, people living longer, and multinational corporations.The cons included increased unemployment in actual countries, increased trade deficit in developed countries, terrorism, loss of competitiveness in developed nations, poorer nations feel taken advantage of by advanced nations, increased economic gap between the bass and poor nations, some countries feel their norms and religious practices are violated, c omparisons with rich nations make poorer nations unhappy, increased pollution through manufacturing and transport worldwide, the spread of Aids, West Nile virus, and various kinds of flu and other diseases. Globalization is regarded with much criticism, however, globalization will continue. There may be some containment of rapidity because of change of the borders, demands for intellectual property protection, setting up firewalls for Internet communication, but the movement continues (Reddy & Vyas, 2004, p. 169).Firms and governments that are aware of the positives and negatives involved with globalization will be able to develop a better approach towards globalization. Influence of Online Todays technology has changed communication and the way marketers get their message out to the consumer. The rapid diffusion of useful smart phones, broadband and wireless Internet connections, and ad-skipping DVRs have eroded the effectiveness of the mass media (Kotler & Keller, 2012, p. 476). Marketers were able to reach consumers via three television channels 80% of the time in the 60s. Today, marketers would have to run the same information on at least 100 channels to get the same results.Marketers are using technology to reach a broader audience, but at the same time consumers are using technology to fight back. Consumers feel they are receiving numerous ads that have no bearing on their lives. Internet users are taking advantage of new software to block spam and pop-up ads (Nunes & Merrihue, 2007) and telemarketers are being stopped by fellowship ID and the Do not call registry to prevent disruptions at home. Marketers are answering back by applying alternative solutions. Per Nunes & Merrihue (2007), there are four strategies available to companies that want to reach broad groups of people without breaking their marketing budget. *Bottlenecks places where people cannot help being stopped, such as subway, elevators, airplanes, or bathroom * Trojan dollar bill appr oach placing advertisements on frequently encountered materials, such as coffee cups and pay stubs * Get the attention of consumers at pushover outside their homes placing advertisements on adult play thing, such as a golf cart * Extends the third strategy seeks to get people to play along, using interactive technology in in the public eye(predicate) spaces (p. 64). These types of tactics can target a broad range of consumers with various forms of advertisement that cannot be turned off. The Internet has affected retailers approach to advertising and promoting their products or services. It is vital for companies to develop an effective brand to gain competitive advantage in the marketplace.The Internet opens up opportunity for the consumer to provide feedback regarding products and services, which has a significant tint on the retailer, whether the feedback is positive or negative. The Internet also allows the retailer to be more creative based on feedback from the consumer i n a number of online communities. The communication channels to the consumer have expanded in number as well as complexity with the global expansion of the Internet and related information technology based products and services. Information technology has dramatically changed how consumers process (or avoid) information delivered by marketing professionals and has eroded the effectiveness of media advertising.The reason for this erosion is due to fragmentation of retail audiences caused by the introduction enhanced media sources such as cable television, blogs, video-on-demand, webcasting, video games, websites, digital video recorders, and multi-functional communication devices (cell phones). The result of these technological and media advancements creates a shift in bargaining power give consumers choices about how, when, and where they consume information (SCH Management Consultants, 2011). The evolution of the Internet has altered the way the consumer and the marketer relate to one another and also how the consumer purchase products and services. The consumer today is more educated, more income at their disposal, and have multiple ways to obtain information therefore the Internet cannot be snub by the retailer.According to SCH Management Consultants, (2011) retailers seeking to expand their brand into the online environment will need to invest in the online experience, as part of a multichannel strategy, to honour and complement the in-store experience. For example, if customer service is a key differentiator in a retail store, then the experience should be replicated by providing interactive help, rich media (video) demonstrations, and product comparisons. Consumers will demand the ability to order online and retrieve/return the product at the suppliers storefront or other dispersion points. The retailer that understands the art of engaging with the customer via the Internet has a better chance of appropriately marketing their products to the consumer and establishing a lasting relationship.

Expectations For Boys and Girls

Expectations for boys and girls are extremely high in todays society. A lot of passel feel oblige in todays society and so much so that some people feel the need to take their own lives. Some people are able to rise above societies expectations, but that is incredibly hard to do and not everybody is strong enough to overcome that. The pressures of society follow every champion everywhere and different people must handle it in different ways. Expectations for girls are a lot higher and a lot more pressured than expectations for boys.Girls are pass judgment to be pretty and nice and clean, but that is not always the case with every girl. They are expected to cook and clean as stated in Barbie Doll. The girlchild was born as usual and presented dolls that did pee-pee and miniature GE stoves and irons. This really shows that girls are pressured into this kind of life from an early age. After she hits puberty, expectations start to change, especially with her peers. consequently in the magic of puberty, a classmate said you have a great big nose and fat legs. Within her own peer multitude she is being mocked and put down until she cant take it anymore. In the casket displayed on satin she lay. Only then did the people in her life gossiper on how she was pretty, but it was too late for her. In the other poem, Good Girl, girls are expected to hold up the universe. Hold up the human race, good girl. She similarly gets compared to Atlas, the Greek God who holds the world on his shoulders. Sever yourself, poor false Atlas. Unfortunately, this is true because some women have to cook and clean the house for her family.You are the universe about its pole. Gods not fair. Some women even have to work for their families also and it is true that some women hold the world on their shoulders. Expectations for boys only are much different. In the poem, Dylan, a mother talks about how her young son doesnt have a worry in the world and is so happy. On Monday he was S piderman. All it took was red P. Js, gluey palms and two spools of thread. She then goes on to talk about how she wishes she could bottle up that happiness, It seems if I could stash just one of these get-ups and the way your heart soars. The mother than says, Little boy, you could don it the morning some girl wrecks you. She wants to give him his happiness when he is sad so he can immediately be happy again. This speaks to the expectations of boys in society because they are expected to never be sad but in truth, there will always be times when one is sad. In the other poem, Rites of Passage, the little boys at the party feel the need to compare themselves to one another to see who the alpha male is.One says to the other How old are you? Six. Im seven. So? Boys are expected to be shingly and tough and must appear that way especially to other boys. I could beat you up, a seven says to a six. Boys are not allowed to show their rude(a) side and if they do then they will be ridi culed. Later in the poem the host of the party, speaks to the group as a whole, We could easily kill a two-year-old. And all was well between the boys again, because they all found a common interest.

Loctite Company Essay

1) What is Loctites distribution strategy? What argon the different distribution channels which are used by Loctite?Loctites distribution strategy is to reach a worldwide sale capability in the chemical adhesives industry. Loctite wants to offer a full(a) range of sealant and adhesive products which go the different needs of its customers. The company provides a great support to distributors, training the distributors salespeople, demonstrating new products in seminars, and explaining cases where the product has been used. The different distribution channels are through independent distributors, representative offices, exports agents, joint ventures, acquisitions of others distributors and subsidiaries.2) How does Loctites channel strategy differ amongst the interior(prenominal) North American market and international markets?In North America, Loctite sells approximately through 1,600 outlets across all over the country. Distributors ranged from small outlets to Loctites biggest customers. Loctite focused in selective distribution that is the reason for not being represented in most of the 50,000 potential outlets. The selective distribution allows a superior level of improvement for its customers, adding more value to the product. Loctite always looked for two or three distributors representing the same market, so its customers had the choice of a different supplier. Distributor had a attractive voice return, which is between 30% to 35% of margin. The industrial distributors were structured into 12 regions.The international market strategy was in some cases made by shipments under licensing agreements, e.g. in Japan. all(a) products sales were made by overseas sales before the constructions of manufacturing plants. Some acquisitions and joint ventures helped to achieve a faster international expansion. Loctite acquired equity interests in its distributors approximately Europe. Loctites strategy was to penetrate in a country market with arelationship with a distributor, and increasing stake in this market, and eventually get the business ownership.3) What factors are driving Loctites acquisition of its international distribution channels?Loctites acquisitions of its international distribution are driven in the most of the cases by the slow sales growth. Once a distributor establishes its business and its market share, it gets satisfied with the margin of the sales, and many times do not reinvest its shekels in the business. It generates neither a higher growth nor a raise in the market share. Some distributors do not allow Loctite to have an active participation in their sales, and cash flow statements, so reinforcing Loctite to acquire the company.4) What should Loctite do about distribution in Hong Kong?Loctite should reinforce its policy in its distributor in Hong Kong. Loctite should try to work together with this local distributor, trying to explain Loctites policies and improve the communication. The business, the goals, and the results expected for that distributor has to be clarified.Loctites P.R.C joint venture should meet with the distributor so they could specify a price range where both of the companies could make a better profit. Both companies have to analyze the market cleverness so it is not penalized because of high prices, and neither the quality because of price war between those two seller companies. And Loctite should start to sell in China market.

Gender Equality Essay

Irrespective of the country and the cultures people live in, it is next to impossible to keep the interrogative of gender equality hidden in the modern society. When the word gender equality was voiced in the 19th century what was been sought was political rights. not only then but also today inequality between manpower and women has been evident in our society. Discrimination against women is an act that has had a lot of disallow impact in our society and to the women themselves. This has been demonstrated through gender violence, economic favoritism, reproductive health inequalities and harmful traditional practices.It is a concern to the whole field to a point of making the affirmative action to fix this problem. Gender equality first and foremost is a human right women are entitle to live in dignity and in freedom from fear and want (Tomasevski, 1993). Should men and women be equal in the modern society? Men and women are equal only that women are victims of pervert social progress. Gender discrimination between men and women leads to unequal access to the resources and benefits of development.see moregender discrimination short essayGender inequality affects all people sustainable gains in development and poverty reduction are only possible when men and women are full and equal participants in society. Men and women are different but they are equal in that whatever men merchant ship do their women counter parts preempt do it well. Men and women are equal what brings the discrimination is the socialization that men and women get. The notion that women are weak has denied many women with the cogency to exploit the abilities they have (Tierney, 2007).Men and women are equal in so many aspects and should be equal. Politically, financially and academically no much difference that can be noted, it is insignificant. In the political realms there are women who are doing extemporal well. Taking the example of the just concluded US election Hillary Clinton had good support and motions that would be bought by the rest of the candidates. In the world of business we have Oprah Winfrey an indicator of what women can do. She is competing among the men in that field and still her success is a bane to many.In the modern society women have been known to take responsibilities of raising the families. Women have come up so well in that their dependency aim is going down even though they are discriminated in salaries. This is a proof enough that if women are given equal opportunity with men they can do much well. In the employment sector women are taking those opportunities which were thought to be for men (Kramarae & Spender, 2000). Women are managers of big companies and also owners just as men. They are also well represented in the government sectors and in the government.They have become career makers. Men have the initiative of sharing the family unit responsibilities. It is a common occurrence that couples can choose whether it is the w oman or the man who will get a leave to take care of their clean borne baby. Men and women are equal in the eyes of the law they are subjected under the same law. Women are equal to men in all aspects thence in the modern society they should get the right to basic needs, education, job training and employment as men do. Empowering women is a great tool for reduction poverty and advancing development.Empowered women contribute to productivity and health in the families and communities and hence improved prospects for the next generation (Cross, 2001). The idea that men are stronger physically is just a preference of a few. If women are given similar opportunities as men they can perform equally well. Denial of opportunity has contributed to reduced performance of women in various areas. On the other hand both women and men should not forget their roles though sharing of responsibilities is taking root in the modern society. References Cross, P. L.(2001) Womens Rights are Human Rig hts Human Rights are Womens Rights. Retrieved on 29th Dec, 2008 from http//www. pinn. net/sunshine/essays/w_rights. html Kramarae, C. , Spender D, (2000) Routledge International cyclopedia of Women Global Womens Issues and Knowledge. ISBN 0415920906, 9780415920902, Routledge Tierney, J. (2007) Men and Women, Different but Equal Whats the Problem? Retrieved on 29th Dec, 2008 from http//tierneylab. blogs. nytimes. com/2007/09/09/men-and-women-different-but-equal-whats-the-problem/ Tomasevski, K. , (1993). Women and Human Rights. ISBN 185649120X, 9781856491204, Zed Books

American Psycho Review

Psycho is a cult movie based on the much controversial novel by Brett Gaston Ellis. direct by Mary Harrow, it is a dark comedy and a clever satire of America in the 1 us that artificefully connects conformity, materialism, misogyny, narcissism, classicism and superficiality. If you argon a movie connoisseur and enjoy well directed stories, you should definitely not miss American Psycho. notwithstanding this movie Is a bit tight to assimilate as it is hard on your guts and your mind due to the obvious violence and gore, it is not for everyone, but definitely Is a work of artThe opening reedits ar very artsy and one of the finest examples of cinematography Eve ever seen. The cranberry Juice Is very easily untrue as drops of blood falling which Is a very subtle Imagery evoking sinister abstractions. The attention to detail Is almost Impeccable, from the dressing styles, the music culture, architecture, gadgets, the landscape, Interior decorations & design, to the movie texture. The re Is a deep fibre study of Patrick Bateman, who Is a suave yuppie working at Wall Street. This wealthy 27 year old working as Vice President in Pierce & Pierce becomes a psycho killer by evening.The character is portrayed by the flamboyant welsh actor Christian Bale whose process was nothing less than chilling and sensational. Bale did a great job to bring out the split personality of Bateman. Bateman has many unusual traits. He is an attention-to-detail freak. During his fat morning routine, he even mentions why he doesnt use aftershave with little or no alcohol. Why? Because alcohol makes your skin dry and makes you look quondam(a). He is the epitome of narcissism which is why he HAS to look good and have the perfect body. He even video tapes his sexual escapades.His laconic direction of dialogues goes to suggest typical psychopathic behavior. There is a sever diversification and identity crisis depicted in the movie where Bateman desperately tries to stand out. Bateman was e asily mistaken to be Halberds because they wore the same suits and went to the same salons. Another hilarious moment was when they were comparing their business cards and all of them were Vice presidents of the same firm You know you are a Patrick Bateman when you are on the verge of murdering the other person if their business card is better than yours.Bateman dines at the nines of restaurants, wears only designer clothes, lives in an uptown Manhattan apartment overlooking the American gardens, goes to the best spas and tanning booths, gets off on cocaine and if these arent enough to fill his hollowness, he resorts eating cooked brains of random strangers. He Is absolutely gratis(p) of human emotions, those other than lust, greed and disgust. He kills his associate Paul Allen because Paul could get a reservation at some fancy restaurant and he couldnt There are some disturbing scenes where he commits grisly murders of his friend Elizabeth, homeless person and his dog out of sheer boredom.As the story unfolds, his blood longing becomes more than acute and he rampantly kills people In order to get noticed. This is when he starts to lose grip on reality and things become more surreal which suggests that the killings were in his head. There are many junctures in the movie where this is almost evident, for example the ATM machine read Feed me a wind cat and Bateman tried to insert the cat forcefully through the slot. By the end of the to convey? Also did or did not Bateman kill all those people. But it is not a real story, he killings are clearly metaphorical.It mocks an era where women treated like garbage people resorted to conformity & materialism and where the well-off tribe were busy listening to annoying music, getting high, eating gourmet meals and talking big. It has a subtle philosophical tangent too, it is not that life is pointless and so Bateman does evil, but instead that he does evil to prove (to himself) that life is pointless and his action s have no ramifications. Hence a society without a moral prod makes the environment congenial for psychopaths like Bateman to be born.

Mystuf

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE STUDENT INFORMATION MEETING JANUARY 18, 2010, 645 P. M. THEATRE I. What is the internationalist Baccalaureate (IB and Pre-IB) II. What is the Nature of the IB programme? III. The Six major Areas of Study in the IB and Pre-IB Programmes Courses Offered at Richmond High IV. Details of the Curriculum V. Choosing and Selecting a diploma VI. Possible Diploma Options Examples VII. Why do IB? VIII. What do Students Learn, and What Leads to conquest? IX. How do Colleges and Universities Recognize IB Courses and the IB Diploma X. Some Facts and Common Sense Ideas About the IB ProgrammeIBO mission statement The supranational Baccalaureate Organization starts to die inquiring, knowledgeable and warmth young slew who servicing to create a fracture and more peaceful world through intercultural intellect and respect. To this end the IBO puzzle outs with schools, governments and international organizations to go up ch bothenging programmes of international grooming and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage scholarly persons across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that early(a) people, with their differences, can also be right. RHS mission statementWe attempt to do our best by creating an inclusive nurture community through supporting and caring for one an opposite. IB LEARNER PROFILE The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shargond guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. IB learners strive to be INQUIRERS They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in information. They actively enjoy acquisition and this love of learning testament be sustained throughout their lives.KNOWLEDGEABLEThey explore concepts, ideas and issues that buzz off local and global significance. In so doing, the y acquire in- information knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of assures. THINKERSThey exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach decomposable problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. COMMUNICATORSThey understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and entrustingly in collaboration with thers. PRINCIPLEDThey act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the somebody, groups and communities. They take business for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them. OPEN-MINDEDThey understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of patchs of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.CARINGThey show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They apply a personal commitment to aid, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. RISK-TAKERSThey approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs. BALANCEDThey understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal tumefy- beingness for themselves and others.REFLECTIVEThey give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development. I. What is the International Baccalaureate (IB)? The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) is a rigorous preunive rsity programme leading to assessment in six subject areas. Established in 1968, the IB offers a challenging curriculum noted for its depth and international perspective. The two-year IB Diploma leave behinds a coherent and demanding readingal experience across the full curriculum. Beyond completing college-level courses and examinations, IB students are also required to interlace in community service (CAS), individual research (EE), and inquiry into the temperament of knowledge (TOK). The IB Diploma is accepted as an accession credential at universities in 106 countries. In addition, high scores on IB exams often entitle students to quote or placement at university. In some cases students will impart runner year assurance. The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers high quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of schools.There are more than 758,000 IB students at 2,750 schools in 138 countries. II. What is the nature of the IB programme? a. Has the strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum. b. Three important additional features 1. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is an interdisciplinary requirement intended to stimulate critical contemplation on the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. The course challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases and to develop the ability to analyze usher that is expressed in rational argument.TOKis a key element in encouraging students to appreciate other cultural perspectives. 2. Creativity, action, service (CAS) The IBOs goal is to recrudesce the whole person and foster responsible, compassionate citizens. The CAS programme encourages students to share their energy and special talents with others. Students may, for example, enroll in theatre or musical productions, sports and community service activities. 3. An extended essay of 4,000 words Each student has the opportunity to investigate a to pic of special interest.The essay requirement acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of self-governing research and paternity skills expected by universities. The IB Programme leads (to) interdisciplinary learning critical reflection questioning the bases of knowledge students to an appreciation of other cultural perspectives an education of the whole person (CAS) sharing energy and special talents with others independent research the demanding writing skills expected by universities III. SIX MAJOR argonAS OF STUDY IN THE IB syllabus COURSES OFFERED AT RICHMOND HIGH Group 1 Language A1 side of meat A1 (HL) and English A1 (SL) Several Self-Taught (ST) Languages Spanish, Yoruba, Chinese, Russian, etc. If a student is fluent (speaking and writing) in a language other than English, she may take a self-taught language. Group 2 Language B cut B (SL) and French B (HL) Japanese B (SL) and Japanese B (HL) Mandarin B (SL) and Mandarin B (HL) Spanish B (SL) and Spanish B (HL) Group 3 Individuals and Societies Geography (HL) and Geography (SL) recital (of the Americas) (HL) Business and Management (HL and SL) ITGS (HL, SL) (Pre-requisite IT 10)Group 4 Experimental Sciences Biology (HL) and Biology (SL) Chemistry (HL) and Chemistry (SL) Physics (SL) Group 5 maths Mathematical Studies (SL) Mathematics (SL) Mathematics (HL) Group 6 The Arts and Electives Music (SL) and (HL) Theatre Arts (HL) and Theatre Arts (SL) Visual Arts (HL) and Visual Arts (SL) IV. DETAILS OF THE CURRICULUM The International Baccalaureate programme consists of courses in six major areas of study. Each course may be offered at the I. Standard level (SL), which involves approximately 200 hours of instruction, r at the II. Higher level (HL), which involves approximately 300 hours of instruction. Universities give credit and/or placement for HL courses. An HL course is the equivalent of a basic year university course. Many of our students halt credit/placement for 3 HL courses. Each course credit is worth approximately $700-$800. Upon completion of any individual course the student receives a certificate from IBO and the course is recorded on the idyll graduation certificate with the special designation IB. V. CHOOSING/SELECTING A DIPLOMA In selecting a diploma a student must select a course from each of the six course groups. The only exception to this is that Group 6 may be skipped, and a second course from any of the other Groups may be chosen instead. A student may take as many as 4 HL courses, but no fewer than 3. A student may take as many as 3 SL courses, but no fewer than 2. VI. Programme Options a. ONE DIPLOMA OPTION English A1 (HL) History (HL) Chemistry (HL) Math Methods (SL) French B (SL) Physics (SL) exceptional Biology (SL) b. ANOTHER DIPLOMA OPTION Mandarin B (HL) History (HL) Chemistry (HL)English A1 (SL) Physics (SL) Math Methods (SL) c. ANOTHER DIPLOMA OPTION English A1 (HL) French B(HL) History (HL) Theatre (HL) Biology ( SL) Math Studies (SL) d. ANOTHER DIPLOMA OPTION Geography (HL) Biology (HL) Visual Arts (HL) Spanish B (SL) Math Methods (SL) English A1 (SL) e. ANOTHER DIPLOMA OPTION English A1 (HL) Visual Arts (HL) Geography (HL) Spanish ST (SL) Math Studies (SL) Biology (SL) f. ANOTHER DIPLOMA OPTION Mandarin B (HL) Mathematics (HL) English A1 (HL) Geography (HL) Physics (SL) Biology (SL) ExtraITGS (SL) VII. Why Do IB? A. A High Level of RecognitionUniversities in 102 countries welcome IB Diplomas as well as individual courses for admission, placement, and credit purposes. Individual IB courses are recognized as signifying a students rigorous preparation in an academic discipline the IB Diploma signifies such preparation in all six academic disciplines, service to community, and development of an international perspective. B. Fair and balance Assessment Using International Standards IB assessment is of many types, occurs several(prenominal) times over the usual two-year duration of IB courses, a nd includes the classroom teacher as a partner.IB students work is assessed by several examiners whose assessments are carefully moderated by an international examining board. IB teachers receive detailed formal feedback on every aspect of their students IB assessment each year. C. A Remarkable gunpoint of Flexibility IB curricula and examinations are available in IBOs three official languages of English, Spanish, and French. The IB Diploma offers schools a wide variety of courses, teachers a wide choice of topics, and students a wide variety of assessments and areas of specialization. D. Commitment to Authorized civilizesSchools must undergo an exhaustive application process for authorization to offer courses. Once authorized, schools are required to participate in IB professional development on a regular basis and to be reviewed every five old age by the appropriate regional IBO office. VIII. What do students learn, and what leads to success? self-awareness self-understanding self-regulation personal decision making managing feelings handling stress empathy communication/participation personal and social responsibility group dynamics conflict solvent individual growth world citizenship self-esteem moral responsibility self-reflection personal self-evaluation WHICH LEADS TO focus/concentration resourcefulness flexibility interest in process and results yard/steadiness responsibility/hard work AND writing skills thinking skills oral skills time-management skills AND marks IX. How do Colleges and Universities Recognize International Baccalaureate Courses and the IB Diploma? IB has largely succeeded in its goal to be a universally recognized admissions credential. Specific agreements are in place with ministries of education and universities in 104 countries that recognize the IB Diploma as a valid means of earning entry to postsecondary study. The IB Diploma is increasingly being viewed as a strong indicator of academic promise and achievement. IB students often have an improvement in the admissions process at selective universities. In addition, IB courses and exams are recognized for the purpose of advanced credit and/or placement at over 900 coupling American colleges and universities. In fact, over a 100 postsecondary institutions now grant a full year of credit to students who have earned an IB Diploma. For a directory university realisation and policies, please use the following link http//www. ibo. org/diploma/recognition/directory/index. cfm X. SOME FACTS/COMMON SENSE IDEAS ABOUT THE IB PROGRAMME There are three programmes, which are structured as follows 1. Primary Years ProgrammeK-Grade 5 2. Middle Years ProgrammeGrade 6-Grade 10 3. Diploma ProgrammeGrade 11-Grade 12 Each of these programmes is an integrated programme. Thus the IB Diploma Programme is an integrated two year programme. A student taking the IB must complete the two years in it, if the student is to get IB credit for a cours e or for the complete programme. The IB programme is recognized by the vast majority of North American/world universities. The IB Diploma score is recognized for admission and entrance to all B. C. universities/most Canadian universities/most American universities. IB courses are evaluated on a 1-7 musical plateful. Thus, a 7 represents the equivalent of a middle to a high A (90%-100%). A top score on a Diploma is 45 points.Last year, worldwide, in that location were well over 20000 diplomas. Approximately 50 of these achieved a perfect 45 points. A student must achieve a minimum of 24 points to get a diploma. Also, a student must average a score of 4 in his HL courses. THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE AND UBC International Baccalaureate Diploma Students For students who complete the IB Diploma, admission to the university will require a minimum of 24 points, including bonus points. Students who are on a full Diploma programme will get early admission to UBC on the basis of p redicted IB scores.IB Diploma students, and IB Certificate students will qualify for Government scholarships on the basis of IB Diploma/Certificate scores. UBC uses an equivalency scale to award a percentage grade based on IB scores. The following grid establishes the equivalency scale IB Diploma Admission Average Scale Points% 2467 2570 2673 2776 2880 2984 3088 3190 3292 3393 3494 3595 3695 3796 3897 3998 4098 4199 4299. 9 4399. 9 4499. 9 4599. 9 A Diploma student with a predicted score of 30 points will get early admission to SFU. 32 points will provide early admission to UBC. International Baccalaureate Certificate StudentsFor students who present results for one or more Higher Level International Baccalaureate certificate courses, admission will be based on the higher of either the school grade or the IB score on equivalent courses. The grade conversion scale that will be used to determine admission is as follows IBHL Grade% Equivalent 796 690 586 476 370 Credit for equivalent f irst-year UBC courses will be awarded to students who achieve a grade of at least 5 in Higher Level IB Arts courses, and 6 in Higher Level Science courses. UBC also grants credit for Physics SL. Details are provided in the Undergraduate Information Guide.EARLY ACCEPTANCE SFU, UBC, and UVic give early acceptance, to Diploma holders, on the following basis 32 point Diploma$3500 (SFU) 34 point Diploma $5000 (SFU) UBC will be granting scholarships in 2010 when students get a letter of acceptance to the university. Scholarship money will bug out to be offered (most likely) at the 33 point level. IBO mission statement The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessmen t. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. RHS mission statement We strive to do our best by creating an inclusive learning community through supporting and caring for one another. RHS CORE VALUES These core values were actual through student and staff focus groups.At Richmond High, we endeavour to live by these values. Value 1We value the traditions that recognize, promote, and encourage all members of the RSS community to feel presumption in what they do (e. g. ) academic excellence, artistic expression, technical excellence, athletic achievement, multiculturalism, community involvement, staff cohesiveness, school spirit, school logo and colours. Value 2We value communication among all members of the RSS community that is based on honesty, equality, integrity and mutual respect.Value 3We value an environment where all members of the RSS community feel safe physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially. Value 4We celebrate the differences among people and promote harmony and equality among members of the RSS community. Value 5We value opportunities for all students to be challenged, to excel and succeed at RSS. Value 6We value the diversity of student learning styles, and recognize that a positive environment enhances learning, and that course content must be made relevant to our students. SCHOOL GOALS These school goals were developed by our School Planning Council.Goal 1Social Responsibility To continue and further develop a school community where students are involved as leaders, motivators, and mentors and where they are openly looking after, being responsible for, and making positive connections with one another. Goal 2Literacy To improve and emphasize reading skills which are grade specific and applicable in all subjects. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DOING AN IB DIPLOMA? IB diploma students qualify for ear ly admission on the basis of IB Diploma points at both UBC (32 points) and SFU (30 points).They also qualify for early admission to other provincial, national, and international universities. IB Diploma students are in a strong position to get scholarships. A student with 36 points (actual points as confirmed by the exams) is guaranteed to get a scholarship at UBC ($4,000) 32 points gives the students $2000, and 30 points $500. At SFU, 34 points will ensure a $5000 scholarship. IB Diploma students can get B C Government scholarships on the basis of IB Diploma scores. IB Diploma applicants have their applications reviewed several times. Less tuition needs to be paid (as long as students get through faculty requirements). IB Diploma students are treated like scholarship students they are fast tracked. Conversion/equivalency has not changed, eg. 32 points is the equivalent of 92% average. It is easier for a student to achieve 32 points than it is for her to achieve a 92% average . I just hope that when people ask an IB student to explain the differences between the regular provincial program and the IB program, he/she can name the most important aspects time management skills, analytical skills (Ricky Pak). In addition to what Ricky says, all representatives mentioned the fact that IB Diploma students have superior research and writing skills, and oral skills. IB Diploma students have the highest retention rates (in other words, fewer students quit during first year) at university(in both the US and Canada). IB students who registered directly into 2nd year courses scored an average of 7% to 12% higher than their classmates. (From UBC brochure about the IB Diploma) IB Diploma students may qualify for Broadbased Admission (UBC)/Diverse Qualifications (SFU). grade point average based on an IB Diploma is sounder because of the solid academic load there is no fluff in IB. An IB Diploma recipient will be in the top 10% of his/her graduating class (High Sch ool percentile rank). Admission Officers at universities know of the high academic quality of IB Diploma graduates. IBs examination requirements and assessment procedures validate the integrity of students performance there is less of a need to rely on SAT scores. The blanket(a) Essay and the TOK essays validate the writing and research skills of IB candidates. Participation in an IB Diploma demonstrates that students accept rigorous academic challenges. Participation in the IB strengthens a students confidence, social sophistication, grace, and poise. CAS provides evidence of the students commitment to physical activity, service to the community, and personal creativity. The IB Diploma assists the student in developing time management, goal setting, and other organizational skills. Diploma students can get first year credit for up to five courses (at $700 a course, a student could save up to $3500).UVic gives students credit for first year if a student has a 28 point Diplom a. Beginning September 2009, SFU will be granting 30 credits to IB Diploma students who have achieved nothing lower than a 4 in their May IB exams. Achievement across a range is still thought to be a better indicator of longer term success than A grades in three or four chosen subjects. Oxford and Cambridge start making offers to IB Diplomas at 38 points. I am glad that I chose to pursue and stay in IB diploma. I felt a bit proud for not giving up and writing countless BIG essays (IB Diploma Graduate, 2002) The English programme is international. The perspective of the curriculum is global rather than local. Consequently, students study literature from other continents and languages as they develop their understanding of a literary theme and analyze historical events from a broad geographical perspective. The intention is not only to broaden the students base of knowledge but also to promote a sense of the universality of learning. This sense of the universality of learning is addressed, in as far as it is possible, in every one course, but particularly so in the TOK and the Language A (English) courses.

What is the impact of road safety on the design and management of road networks?

Abstract pass transport is the closely common type of transportation worldwide, which inevitably means that affair accidents, and resulting casualties, be a regular feature. Further, the even out of cars in recent years, which combine high-speed engines with poor path performance, has a direct correlation with the continuerence of accidents. Consequentially, itinerary in effect(p)ty has become a common interest within all countries throughout the world. In my opinion, lane caoutchouc can be improved by incorporating relevant geometric, climatic and physical considerations in the spirit of highways. In addition, the cover of an aw arness program in education and advertising plays a pregnant role in strengthening street natural rubber and reducing accidents. On the basis of the foregoing, when one is mental synthesis a safe itinerary, all(prenominal) factor out of safety should be taken into consideration and at every stage of the process, including intent.Th e of import objective of this announce is to show the impact of courseway safety considerations in the end of routeways and the forethought of the road lucre, and how the aim of decreasing road job accidents and casualties influences geometric conception, traffic design and structural design in road construction. In particular, geometric design and traffic design ar greatly influenced by road safety standards, as evidenced in the geometric design of tops, junctions, and unglamorous and wheelwright highways. By relying on a specific typeface study, this paper give also check roundabout design and its interrelation with road safety for instance, whilst roundabouts are likely safer than convergences beca intention they encourage a diminution in fomites speed and encounter points, it has been embed that roundabouts with signalization are safer for both cyclists and pedestrians. For these reasons, it is elucidate that the improvement of road safety requires the inc lusion of safety in road design and management procedures.IntroductionThe road internet is a systematic structure, which is constructed on invariable criteria for the purpose of road transportation and designed with certain considerations (such as traffic, climate condition and the environment) in mind. It is used by the majority of people worldwide, which is unsurprising considering the passel of traffic accidents and road link up deaths and injuries. Indeed in recent times, this is often seen as a global phenomenon, with the keep down of road related deaths ranging from between 0.75 and 0.8 million annually1. Unfortunately, it also appears that this snatch is increasingly rising indeed, a 2008 matter of the World Health Organisation (World health statistics) estimated that the death rate from traffic accidents globally is 2.2%, and that cod to the manufacture of car engines capable of higher speeds and the development of the economy in developing countries, it is anticipat ed that this examine will dramatically increase to about 3.6% by 20302. Likewise, road traffic accident costs are expected to increase.There are three main factors which contribute to road traffic accidents road and plan deficiencies road user errors (human factors) and fomite defects3. Indeed, a UK study from the 1970s butt ond that the human factor plays an unfavorable role in 95% of accidents, whilst 28% and 8% of accidents are at least part caused by environmental and vehicle shortcomings4. For these reasons, it is non logical to focus solely on one whizz factor. It is surface that the fact that road user errors feature in the majority of accidents proves that the human factor is the commandment cause of traffic accidents however, if the construction of roads was geometrically improved, this may not be the case. Indeed, according to Restructuring road institutions, finance and management engineering5, engineering is one of four factors that influence road safety (along w ith enforcement, education, and climate). By concentrate on the impact of the engineering factor on road safety improvement, the objective of this report isTo demonstrate and define the concept of road safety. To explain the incorporation of safety features in road design and management.This report consists of 6 parts methodology an explanation of road safety, road design, and road management the impact of road safety factors on the geometric design and management of roads a presentation of a case study on road intersections, cyclists and pedestrian safety at roundabouts a talk aboution and finally, a culmination2. MethodologyTo demonstrate the effect of the road safety considerations on road design and management, this paper will investigate road intersections through a case study linked to geometric design, and then discuss the safety of cyclists and pedestrians in relation to roundabouts. See Figure 1.3. pass safetyAccording to Oxford Wordpower Dictionary1, safety is be as t he state of being safe not being put on the line of exposureous or in danger, whilst road safety is defined as the prevention of road accidents. The purpose of roads is to provide facilities for safe travel and transport, and improved road safety can be achieved in the design and management of road management by incorporating safety orientated design criteria, design values and interventions2. Such an overture could not only fly the coop to a decrease in road related deaths and accidents, but it could also leave roads much accessible. Indeed, as outlined in the DTMRQ manual3, such an outcome can be achieved with the application of certain factorsImproving road network safety using a risk management approach Designing for safer travel for all road users Providing safer access to the road system for cyclists and pedestrians Ensuring work site safety and Co-ordinating with other government agencies in partnership.As stated above, road users errors is the main factor which contri butes to road accidents. However, it has been discover that the enhancement of engineering design and management can influence drivers behavior positively and reduce the number of such errors4. It should be noted that no road is absolutely safe and that the safety of a road is often measured on the volume of accidents on it. For that reason, it is logical to indicate that the construction of a road involves the use of a nominal safety level54. Road designAccording to Oxford Wordpower Dictionary6, design is defined as to plan and machinate a drawing of how something will be made. The three aspects of design that must(prenominal) be considered in the construction of roads are geometric design (which relates to physical elements such as vertical and horizontal curves, lane widths, clearances, cross-section dimensions, etc7) traffic design and structural design. Good road design standards involve a combination of these three variable aspects to produce efficient and safer road.4.1 Ge ometric designRoad geometric design involves horizontal and vertical alignment and road cross-section, with the determination of these elements based on the criteria of road safety8. The reduction of the road accident rate is significantly influenced by these elements meaning there is a clear relationship between road design and road safety. For example, it has been found that junctions that are geometrically designed with road safety in mind see a smaller number of road accidents. Sound geometric design can involve a reduction in the number of conflict points (with the construction of channels). Indeed, it has been found that the use of roads with two lanes, which are each 3.7m wide, are safer than roads with one lane that is 2.7m wide9. In addition, it is felt that the presence of the median reduces the cross-median accident rate, even where it is narrow, and that the inclusion of safety fences at the outer acuteness of roads plays a significant role in road safety10. Road Manage mentAccording to Robinson (2008)11, road management is defined as a process that is attempting to optimise the overall performance of the road network overtime. This involves action that affects or can affect the road network quality and efficiency during the attend livelihoodspan and which facilitates trade, health protection, and education by enhancing accessibility. Further, the improvement of road efficiency, effectiveness and safety can lead to increasing economic well-being as a result of lower commodity prices. Road management is affected by a number of factors, but the dominant is accident levels and costs, which is directly related to road users and economic infrastructure12. As a consequence, road management action can involve the policing of vehicle speed in order to improve safety. Additionally, it can also include such activities which are conducted on the road itself and the surrounding environment, such as road maintenance. As Robinson (2008) states, the aim of road maintenance is to make roads safer because it contributes to the geometric factors in the areas ofPavement and footway surface Carriageway marking and delineation and Signs, street lights and furniture.13In this way, road safety can be incorporated in road management for example, the continuous repair of pavements reduces vehicle operating costs to be reduced and the rate of accidents on the road. Road intersectionsRoad intersections are a significant part of the road network structure, and in spite of their simple function, they contributes more than 20% of pitch-dark road accidents in the EU14 and even though it has been reported that about 31% of serious accidents occur in non-built-up areas, 65% occurred at built-area junctions in 1984 in the UK15. According to the Federal Highway Administration (2006)16, road intersection safety has become a considerable problem in the USA because more than 45% of around 2.7 million crashes that occurred there in 2004 happened at junctions . Unfortunately, despite the fact that junction design and traffic standards deliver seen a significant improvement generally, it has not caused a significant reduction in the rate of accidents per year. For those reasons, the FHWA support the concept of converting intersections to roundabouts in order to decrease the rate of accidents and to provide increase safety.Rate of fatal casualties in EU at junctions and other locations of roads Case studyA study was carried out in 8 States of the USA in 2004 for 24 junctions before and after conversion to roundabout. It resulted in a 39% reduction of overall crash rates, with a 90% and 76% reduction in the fatal and suffering crashes, respectively1. See Table 1.Reduction of crashes following roundabout conversions at 24 U.S. junctions In 8 states in USAReduction In Crashes % In 2004OverallFatalInjury -39%-90%-76%Table 1 the information from FHWA, 2006DiscussionThe reduction in the level of road traffic accidents in the case study proves that replacing junctions with roundabouts is the logical decision in the USA because it is clear that such a course of action increases overall safety. Unfortunately, the study sample is small as it does not cover all safety aspects, and the safety of the cyclist and pedestrian is not clarified because the crashes categorized are only based on motor vehicles. It should be noted that approximately 75% of cyclist accidents occur at roundabouts2. For that reason, the impact of roundabouts on passengers and cyclists is worthy of investigation.8.1 Roundabout and road designAccording to Fortuijn (2003)3, the majority of cyclist-car accidents occur when a cyclist is circulating in the roundabout and a car either enters or exits from the roundabout. It has also been said that roundabouts that are charactarised with a significant design feature (e.g. a requirement to reduce vehicle speed to 30phm, use of a central island, a right angle connection between roadways and circular roadways, or a right of way traffic movement) serve to reduce crash rates and cyclist accidents. Another feature that improves road safety at roundabouts is the reduction of conflict points to about a quarter of the number employ at other junctions.8.2. Roundabout and road managementModern roundabouts are recognised with high capacity, low speed, and non-use of signalisation. The use of roundabout signalisation is typical dependant on traffic volume and safety. Nevertheless, the roundabouts that dont use signalisation are still safer than junctions1. Further, the maintenance of traffic signs, lights and pavement surface serve to increase road life service and safety.The manufacture of vehicles with higher speed engines may serve to reduce the efficiency of roundabouts and increase the safety hazards to cyclists and pedestrians, especially at times of high traffic volume. According to the findings of the London Road Safety unit (2003)2, the roundabouts with signalisation are safer for both cycl ists and pedestrian, based on a study which was conducted in 2003 for a number of roundabouts, before and after signalisation ConclusionThis report has sought to demonstrate the impact of road safety in design and road management by defining and analysing the relevant concepts, with particular attention paying to cyclist and pedestrian safety. The following points were also concludedRoad accidents occur due to three main factors road users, environment and engineering. The level of road safety measures that are utilized depend on the volume of accidents. Road safety is incorporated into road design and management through incorporation of safety considerations. Road safety is improved through road maintenance. Roundabouts typically serve to reduce vehicle speed and conflict points, which in turn can reduce the road accident rate, and increase the safety of cyclists and pedestrian. It is believed that the road design and management plays a significant role in road safety enhancement t hrough the interaction of safety criteria with the road efficiency. Signalisation at roundabouts can increase the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, and a cyclist right of way can reduce the rate of car-cyclist accident ReferencesRobinson, R., & Thagesen, B. (2004). Road engineering for development, 2nd ed. Taylor & Francis. London.Moller, M., & Hels, T. (2008). Cyclists perception of risk in roundabouts.Accident Analysis & Prevention, 40(3), 1055-1062. online https//wiki.cecs.pdx.edu/pub/ItsWeb/BikeBoxes/Moller_Hels_2007.pdf accessed October 19th 2013Fortuijn, L. G. H. (2003). Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Roundabouts Dilemma of Comfort and Safety. online, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. http//www.mnt.ee/failid/SlowTrRoundb.pdf accessed October 19th 2013Antoniou, C., Tsakiri, M., & Yannis, G. (2012). ROAD caoutchouc IMPROVEMENTS IN JUNCTIONS USING 3D LASER SCANNING. online http//www.nrso.ntua.gr/geyannis/images/stories/ge/Publications/Papers-Conferences/geyan nis-pc144.pdf accessed October 16th 2013DTMRQ, (2010). Road planning and design manual design philosophy. online, Brisbane, Department of Transport and Main roadstead of Queensland. http//www.tmr.qld.gov.au//media/Business%20and%20industry/Technical%20standards%20and%20publications/Road%20planning%20and%20design%20manual/Current%20document/RPDM_Chapter2.pdfAccessed October fourteenth 2013.DTMRQ, (2010). Road planning and design manual road planning and design fundamentals. online, Brisbane,Department of Transport and Main Roads of Queensland. http//www.tmr.qld.gov.au//media/Business%20and%20industry/Technical%20standards%20and%20publications/Road%20planning%20and%20design%20manual/Current%20document/RPDM_Chapter3.pdfAccessed October 17th 2013.FHWA, (2006). Priority market-ready technologies and innovations. Problem intersection crashes account for more than 45 percent of all crashes nationwide. online, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. http//www.fhwa .dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/safety/saf_7rnd.pdf accessed 18th October 2013.Fouladvand, M. E., Sadjadi, Z., & Shaebani, M. R. (2004). Characteristics of vehicular traffic flow at a roundabout. online Physical Review E, 70(4), 046132. http//arxiv.org/pdf/cond-mat/0309560.pdf accessed October 14th 2013Grime, G., 1987.Handbook of road safety research.Bodmin Butterworths.Hauer, E, (1999). Safety in geometric design standards. online, Toronto. http//portalantigo.cefid.udesc.br/ciclo/workshop/Hauer.Safety.GeoDesign.pdf Accessed October 17th 2013.London Street Management-London Road Safety Unit. http//www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/SignalsatRoundabouts-TransportationProfessiona-Article.pdfMinistry of Transport, (1966). Roads in urban areas. Ministry of transport Scottish development department. London.Oxford Wordpower Dictionary, (2013). Oxford University press,Persaud, B N and others, (2000). Crash reductions following installation of roundabouts in the United States. online. https//www .dot.ny.gov/main/roundabouts/files/insurance_report.pdf Accessed 21th October 2013.Robinson, R, 2008. Restructuring road institutions, finance and management, volume 1 concepts and principles.Totton University of Birmingham, Birmingham.Slinn, M., Matthews, P., & Guest, P. (2005). Traffic engineering design. Principles and practice. 2nd ed. Arnold, London. online httpwww.amazon.comTraffic-Engineering-Design-Second-Editiondp0750658657 accessed twentieth October 2013WHO, (2008).World health statistics. online, Paris, World Health Organisation. onlinehttp//www.who.int/gho/publications/world_health_statistics/EN_WHS08_Full.pdf accessed 14th October 2013.

High school Essay

* Literacy is a human slump, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for sociable and human maturation. Educational opportunities depend on literacy. Literacy is at the heart of introductory precept for exclusively, and essential for eradicating poverty, cut d profess child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. (Why Is Literacy Important? UNESCO, 2010) * The smell of basic literacy is used for the initial cultivation of drill and writing which adults who score never been to school counterbalance to go through.The term functional literacy is kept for the direct of training and writing which adults be thought to study in modern complex society. Use of the term underlines the idea that although people whitethorn stir basic levels of literacy, they select a different level to operate in their day-to-day lives. (David Barton, Literacy An introduction to the Ecology of scripted t alking to, 2nd ed. WileyB wishfountainhead, 2006) * To acquire literacy is more than to psychologic eachy and mechanic bothy dominate reading and writing techniques.It is to dominate those techniques in terms of consciousness to understand what one reads and to write what one understands it is to communicate graphically. Acquiring literacy does non bespeak memorizing sentences, words or syllableslifeless objects unconnected to an existential universebut rather an attitude of populace and re-creation, a self-transformation producing a stance of intervention in ones con textbook. (Paulo Freire, Education for Critical Consciousness. Sheed & Ward, 1974) * at that maneuver is hardly an oral culture or a predominantly oral culture left inthe orbit today that is not both(prenominal)how aw ar of the vast complex of powers forever inaccessible without literacy. (Walter J. Ong, Orality and Literacy The Technologizing of the Word. Methuen, 1982) * We call for the contradictory and the undoable. . . . We expect to be inspired by mediocre appeals for excellence, to be made literate by illiterate appeals for literacy. (Daniel J. Boorstin, The Image A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America, 1961) * Women and Literacy In the history of women, at that place is probably no matter, apart from contraception, more near-valuable than literacy.With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, access to power required noesis of the world. This could not be gained without reading and writing, skills that were tending(p) to men long before they were to women. Deprived of them, women were condemned to stay home with the livestock, or, if they were lucky, with the servants. (Alternatively, they whitethorn defy been the servants. ) Compared with men, they led mediocre lives. In persuasion nigh wisdom, it helps to read close wisdom active Solomon or Socrates or whomever. Likewise, goodness and happiness and love.To decide whether you adjudge them, or want to make the sacrifices obligatory to get them, it is useful to read slightly them. Without such introspection, women seemed stupid in that locationfore, they were considered unfit for education therefore, they werent abandoned an education therefore they seemed stupid. (Joan Acocella, Turning the Page. Review of The Woman Reader by Belinda Jack Yale University Press, 2012. The New Yorker, October 15, 2012) * From the website of atomic number 20 Literacy, Inc. The literacy rate in the US has some educators in search of answers about this problem that has plagued our country for decades. quite of decreasing, the numbers of literacy has steadily increased over the years. This raises a lot of questions about our education system, how it is ran, and why there is such a problem with illiterate people in our country. (quoted by The New Yorker, Nov. 22, 2010) Pronunciation LIT-er-eh-see Language * Six Common Myths About Language * Key Dates in the History of the English Language * Introduction to Etymolo gy Word Histories Elsewhere on the Web * The National Institute for Literacy (US) * The Literacy Project* National Literacy Trust (UK) Resources for Writers * mention Works for Writers and Editors * Grammar and Usage Advice Sites * Sites for Correcting Common Sentence Errors Related Articles * orality rendering and examples of orality * illiteracy commentary and examples of illiteracy * aliteracy definition and examples of aliteracy * Adult Education What Is Adult Education * makeup Degree Do I Need a Writing Degree Richard Nordquist Grammar & Composition Guide * Sign up for My News garner * Headlines * Forum Advertisement.Related Searches achieving gender equality paulo freire education curbing population growth critical consciousness paulo freire personal empowerment seek Grammar & Composition Must Reads * What Is Grammar? * Euphemisms for Death * Commonly Confused Words * four hundred Essay Topics * Introductions to 30 Figures of manner of speaking close Popular * What Is a Metaphor? * Writing Topics Argument * Top 20 Figures of Speech * 400 Writing Topics * metaphor See More About * english language By Category * Writing Tips * Business Writing * Correcting Errors * English Grammar * Punctuation & Mechanics.* Composing Sentences * Words * Composing Paragraphs * Composing Essays * Rhetoric and bolt * Exercises and Quizzes * variations and Resources * Grammar & Rhetoric Glossary Grammar & Composition 1. About. com 2. Education 3. Grammar & Composition 4. Grammar & Rhetoric Glossary 5. Icon Lower circumstance 6. literacy definition and examples of literacy * Advertise on About. com * Our Story * News & Events * SiteMap * all in all Topics * Reprints * Help * Write for About * Careers at About * User Agreement * Ethics Policy * Patent Info. * Privacy Policy * Your Ad Choices 2013 About. com. All rights reserved.The Greatest Literacy Challenges Facing Contemporary High School T separatelyers Implications for Secondary Teacher Preparation Mary B . Campbell reverence Xavier University Margaret M. Kmiecik Saint Xavier University Secondary instructors face remarkable challenges in their efforts to increase the literacy levels of adolescents. Encouraging instructors to speak out about these challenges and to recommend initiatives that may improve literacy practices for adolescents is vital for future see the light efforts. This study examines the questions What are the greatest literacy challenges approach high school subject area teachers? and What will help to decline these challenges? The breeding collection questionnaire was distributed to teachers in eightsome high schools throughout the greater Chicago area. A discussion of the findings suggests compelling directions for utility(prenominal) teachers and teacher educators. 2 Reading Horizons, 2004, 4, (1) WHILE SEVERAL REFORMS in higher education teacher conceptualisation have made a difference in more teachers being highly prepared and qualified (Smylie, Bay , & Tozer, 1999), preparing teachers to pucker the literacy demands of snatchary bookmans still abides inadequate.Improving literacy hit the booksing in our nations high schools take serious elevation as an educational priority at all levels. The 2002 NAEP (National Association for Educational Progress) give out indicates that 36 percentage of students in grade 12 performed at a in effect(p) level, indicating that only a little over one-third of our nations high school seniors ordure understand contest material (Feller, 2003). This was a decline in operation from 1998 when the NAEP reported the percentage of seniors who performed at the proficient level as 40 percent (U. S. Department of Education, 1999).Additionally the 1998 report states that no more than 6 percent of the adolescents performed at the advanced level which demonstrates students ability to analyze and extend the message of the materials they read. The NAEP information further line of battle more than on e-third of the students did not demonstrate competence at a basic level of literacy. The planetary Reading Association has taken a substantial leadership role in elevating attention to nub school and secondary literacy issues by establishing the Commission on Adolescent Literacy in 1997 (Rycik & Irvin, 2001).The work of this Commission resulted in the published document, Adolescent Literacy A Position Statement (Moore, Bean, Birdyshaw, & Rycik, 1999), which recommends principles for teachers to consider when restraining the literacy growth of secondary students. shut away much more comprehensive work needs to be done as challenges still run away and teachers, administrators, and staff developers have asked for more examples of practices that might re spick-and-span and revitalize their efforts for middle and high school students (Rycik & Irvin, 2001, p.4). inform has greatly increased in range and complexity over the last decade. Teachers now find themselves in highly pressure d environments (Pincas, 2002). Faced with the reality of overcrowded classrooms, high stakes testing, and standards-based environments, using instructional practices that carry students to higher levels of mentation through more authentic forms of skill are lost.Additional factors Secondary Teaclher Literacy Clhallenges 3that compound the billet are high student mobility, absenteeism, minimal student engagement, misbehavior, missing homework, cultural and linguistic diversity, special needs, and change magnitude numbers of students from poverty and single parent households (Alvermann, Hinchman, Moore, Phelps, & Waff, 1998).Regardless of the number or degree of challenges, teachers still remain accountable for fostering literacy growth among all students. Efforts to improve literacy encyclopaedism for secondary students essential take staidly the realities and challenges persistent in todays high schools.Reform theorists who suggest improvement can be made through a series of workshops, enhanced technology, sanctions and the like, (Smylie, Bay, & Tozer, 1999, p. 59) are naive at best. A new paradigm requires comprehensive and systemic change. It also requires a serious re-orientation towards broad organizational, political, and economic presuppositions on which definition and acquisition of change moldiness be based. Moreover, it involves a commitment to putting teachers at the forefront of the amend process. Valencia and Wixson (2000) argue that it is time for the voices of teachers to be heard.Without empowered professional voices, we lose the electromotive force for stimulateing serious reform. Emerging Directions If students are to achieve high literacy standards, evidence strongly suggests that what teachers know and can do is one of the more important factors influencing student achievement. (Darling-Hammond, 1999, p. 228). Research also makes it clear that if teachers are to negotiate the demands of new standards and new students, they must h ave access to a deeper base of friendship and expertise than most teacher preparation programs now entrust (Darling-Hammond, 1999, p.229).While several studies have looked at reform in teacher preparation programs, Schwartz (1996) concluded that reform changes in teacher preparation have resulted in little more than adjusting on the margins (p. 3). Particularly troubling, in secondary teacher preparation, is the limited attention prone to the challenges existing in schools in which future teachers must help students to achieve literacy, and the problems 4 Reading Horizons, 2004, 4, (1) of schooling in a broader social context.Moreover, in many states, secondary teacher preparation programs include a requirement of a matter area reading course, whereas in otherwise states there is no equivalent requirement. This has remained literally unchanged for years, even as secondary students continue to struggle with reading and writing throughout the high school curriculum. The wide-spre ad standards movement has made some impact in requiring newly certified teachers to demonstrate competency on specific literacy fellowship and implementation indicators.However, the depth of what is needed to teach content area literacy in secondary schools requires more than one course, and/or a few standards. Connecting Two Distinct Communities Education can no longer be seen as an exclusive function, and the traditional structures cannot remain isolated from social change. Faculties in colleges and universities and the practicing teachers in secondary schools have no choice but to adjust to new paradigms. While it is now more common to find partnerships and institutional collaborations between university faculty and secondary teachers, many of these need redefinition.In many partnerships, practicing teachers have related there has not been a high level of reciprocity, as the universities are too dominant (Campbell, 2002, p. 22). Each entity must put into the equation improvemen t strategies that are meaningful to their respective organizations that is, they need to identify areas where they truly need help from one another. Then institutionally and programmatically, they need to find ways to work together to make those intended improvements a reality (Howey & Zimpher, 1999, p. 299).High school teachers and teacher educators alike are looking to move beyond so far another good idea to realize reconceptualization and transformation for secondary literacy education. This means pleasant high school teachers in the process of secondary teacher preparation, determining what factors pose the greatest challenges to literacy development and using this knowledge as a cornerstone for improving Secondary Teaclher Literacy Clhallenges literacy practices in schools. Failure to submit these challenges effectively will undoubtedly compromise the ability of teachers to serve as effective agents of change.PurposeThe end of this study was to identify the problems secondar y teachers face that impede literacy learning in the classrooms and to yield information that may inform the preparation of future secondary teachers. Two broad questions emerged to guide this study o What are the greatest literacy challenges facing high school content area teachers? e What will help to diminish these challenges for veritable and/or future high school teachers? The larn ParticipatingS chools and Teachers The schools that participated in this study included eight high schools, seven public and one private.The researchers purposely selected the schools to ensure ethnic diversity as well as urban and suburban representation. Six of the high schools represented grades 10-12 and two included grades 9-12. The school principals granted permission to graduate students enrolled in a Masters Degree Program in Reading to place the High School Literacy Survey in the school mailboxes of the teachers. A total of 450 questionnaires, including a cover letter and a stamped return envelope, were distributed to 9-12 teachers.Two hunared and two questionnaires were returned, realizing a return rate of 45 percent. There were no follow-up attempts to obtain a higher return rate. Most respondents (71 percent) had advanced degrees beyond the B. A. or B. S. among these were 68 percent with a M. A. and 3 percent with a Ph. D. Teachers from 18 different subject area palm responded to the survey. English (18 percent), mathematics (16 percent), and science (15 percent) teachers comprised the legal age of participants. The remaining teachers represented the following subjects art (3 percent), 5.6 ReadingHorizons, 2004, 45, (1) melodic line (4 percent), technology (4 percent), drivers education (1 percent), foreign language (6 percent), history (7 percent), library (1 percent), music (1 percent), carnal education (3 percent), reading (1 percent), radio/television (1 percent), social studies (8 percent), special education (3 percent), theology (3 percent), and vocatio nal education (4 percent). Teachers with more than 10 years of experience accounted for 63 percent of the sample, while 37 percent had 10 years or less.Teachers working in suburban areas surrounding the greater Chicago area comprised the majority (67 percent) of the sample population, with the remaining 33 percent coming from urban schools. Forty-four percent described their schools as predominately diverse ( 50 percent), 32 percent considerably diverse (30-50 percent minority), 17 percent clean diverse (10-30 percent minority) and 7 percent primarily white (less than 10 percent minority). The Questionnaire We collected the data from a survey instrument, High School.Literacy Survey, designed and constructed by us. The questionnaire requested two types of information * objective, relating to educational degrees, content field of study, years of teaching experience, diversity of school population * subjective, relating to opinions and values in teaching and learning The subjective po rtion of the survey was comprised of two broad questions. The first question asked teachers to identify 5 of the 20 factors that posed the greatest challenges in component their students to attain literacy in their subject field.Respondents wrote the numeral 1 nigh to the statement representing their greatest challenge, the numeral 2 next to the statement representing their next greatest challenge, and so ahead through the numeral 5. (See Appendix) The twenty statements, defined as challenges, were derived from the literature on content area reading. An great review of the literature Secondary Teaclher Literacy Clhallenges 7 resulted in identifying twenty challenges, however, these may not represent all possible factors and they may not represent factors that teachers would have included if they were to construct the questionnaire.A space was go forthd for teachers empower other for their convenience in identifying additional factors that pose as challenges. Since no specific theory was determine to serve as a foundation for the selection of factors, they represent an eclectic representation. Additionally, the factors were not defined on the questionnaire, indicating that a singular definition cannot be assumed and that the factors may represent multiple meanings in the field. The second question invited the teachers to respond openly to the question, What do you believe will help to diminish these challenges for current and/or future high school teachers? Findings partages were used to report the data on the high school teachers perceptions about the factors that challenge them most in helping their students to achieve literacy in their subject area. Table 1. pctage Responses of Factors that wreak the Greatest Literacy Challenges Factors Percent 1 2 3 4 5 Total Assessment of student learning 2 1 1 2 2 8 Classroom environment 1 2 1 2 6 Classsize 4 4 6 8 5 27 Cultural and language diversity 1 1 2 among students Curriculum 1 2_ 1A _3 7. 8 Reading H orizons, 2004, 45, (1) Factors Percent 1 2 3 4 5 Total Helping students to construct.meaning from text Helping students interpret graphics in text Helping students to learn and use critical thinking skills Helping students to locate and organize information Helping students to understand concepts and vocabulary Homework issues Integrating technology for teaching and learning Selecting materials for teaching and learning Organizing and managing the classroom for learning State/district/school standards for students essay readers Student motivation/interest/attitudes 3 6 6 7 7 1 1 3 2 16 8 12 11 12 1 5 5 4 3 8 3 6 11 12 5 8 10 6 7 1 5 2 1 3 1 4 1 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 9 9 8 8 8.33 17 17 8 7 1 5 5 5 3 19 29 7 59 18 40 36 12 5 8 6 42 82 Students with special needs Secondary Teacher Literacy Chiallenges Factors Percent 1 2 3 4 5 Total Students who lack study skills 11 13 13 13 7 57 Writing skills of students 2 8 5 7 8 30 (A ranking scale, with 1 meaning greatest challenge, 2 next greates t challenge, and so forth) The extremum five challenges as reported in Table 1 were * student motivation, interests, and attitudes (33 percent) o helping students to learn and use critical thinking skills (16 percent) o students who lack study skills (11 percent) o struggling readers (9 percent).o helping students to understand concepts and vocabulary (8 percent). The least perceived challenges were cultural and language diversity among students (2 percent) and selecting materials for teaching and learning (5 percent). Examining the data of the largest responding groups of content area teachers, English, mathematics, and science, yielded similar findings. All three of these groups identified the same top two challenges as did the total group. The English, mathematics, and science teachers third, fourth and fifth rankings were * English (3) homework issues (4) students who lack study skills. (5) writing skills of students o Mathematics (3) students who lack study skills 9 iO Read ing Horizons, 2004, 45, (1) (4) homework issues (5) helping students to locate and organize information e Science (3) students who lack study skills (4) helping students to understand concepts and vocabulary (5) helping students to construct meaning from text The teachers were also asked to respond to the following openended question, What do you believe will help to diminish these challenges for current and/or future high school teachers? Seventyseven percent of the teachers wrote responses to this question.The resppnses were grouped by similar topics from which themes emerged. Table 2 reports the percentages of the most frequently occurring responses to the open-ended question. Table 2. Themes and Percentages of Responses for Confronting the Greatest Challenges Most Frequent Responses by Theme Percent Better basic skills instruction in elementary schools 64 More parent responsibility and support 58 Mandatory inclusion of critical 39 thinking questions on all assessments Stud y skills classes for in(prenominal) students 33 I Iimprove teacher preparation/more methods for 28 secondary teachers.Greater respect and support from society 20 Practical/useful staff development 11 Secondary TeachterLiteracy Challenges 11 Most Frequent Responses by Theme Percent Teacher task forces making policy decisions 9 sooner of politicians and administrators Complete restructuring of the current traditional 7 education model A center at each high school for struggling readers The most common responses cited by the majority of teachers to confront the greatest challenges (Table 2) were fall in basic skills instruction in elementary schools (64 percent) and more parent responsibility and support (58 percent).Sample responses given by less than 50 percent of the teachers were mandatory inclusion of critical thinking questions on all assessments (39 percent), study skills classes for incoming students (33 percent), and improvement of teacher preparation with more methods for secondary teachers (28 percent). Discussion The results of this study lead insight for the continuing efforts to improve the literacy levels of secondary students. They are, however, neither exclusive nor exhaustive.They are offered with no claim for the universality or total generalizability, but they are offered as a common ground for thinking. Student want andA ttitudes High school teachers identified student motivation to read, write, and do other literacy-related activities as their greatest challenge. The teachers create verbally comments on questionnaires indicated that much of the class-assigned reading is often boring and not relevant to the students own interests and experiences. They also stated that the students who will not read are as much at a disadvantage as those who cannot.Student 12 Reading Horizons, 2004, 45, (1) motivation was ranked the greatest challenge of all for the participating teachers. The dilemma of identifying and implementing strategies to motiv ate adolescents is not new to literacy practice. The data from this study confirm what the research (Alexander & Filler, 1976 Au & Asam, 1996 Benware & Deci, 1984 Collins-Block, 1992 Guthrie & Alao, 1997 Schraw, Brunning, & Svoboda, 1995) has documented over time that student motivation, interests, and attitudes are indeed authentic challenges.Teaching adolescents to beat active, motivated, and selfregulated learners is a continuing issue in secondary schools. It is during the adolescent years when reading motivation and attitudes appear to worsen, in particular for poor readers (McKenna, Kear, & Ellsworth, 1995). Serious attempts to advance literacy skills require interventions that address motivation and attitudes as much as interventions that plug cognitive changes in the learners (Verhoevan & Snow, 2001). This generally does not happen.Motivational constructs are usually not given significant vigilance in relation to student cognition and thinking, and at best, are given onl y highly and superficial attention. A further problem is that standard reading texts and uniform curricula make life jolly easier for teachers and administrators, but they make it very difficult for students to get involved with the material at the level that is right for them, and therefore to find intrinsic rewards in learning. In the classroom, the teacher is the key element in prompt students to learn.The responsibility is great and the ramifications even greater, yet many responding high school teachers stated they were not adequately prepared in their teacher preparation programs with the knowledge, skills, and instructional strategies to ignite the spirit of their students. These teachers indicated they want more ideas, support, and immunity within the school curriculum to take the lead, and more ways to experience first-hand, in-field, motivational issues in their teacher preparation programs. Critical Thinking Skills.Teaching critical thinking skills was the second grea test challenge for teachers. puffy numbers of teachers indicated they feel underSecondary Teachter Literacy Clhallenges 13 prepared in pedagogical methods to help studenis conceptualize problems and solutions. Assisting adolescents to become proficient with these skills is a prodigious challenge for secondary teachers. The capacity for abstraction, for discovering patterns and meanings, generalizing, evaluating, and theorizing is the very essence of critical thinking and exploration.For most students in the United States and throughout the world, formal education entails just the opposite kind of learning. Rather than construct meaning for themselves, meanings are imposed upon them. Frequently, students often accumulate a large number of facts along the way, yet these facts are not central to their education they will live their adult lives in a world in which most facts learned years before (even including some historical ones) will have changed or have been reinterpreted.Whatever data they need will be available to them at the touch of a computer key. If students are to learn critical thinking skills, teachers must teach them and engage their students in received problem solving discussion. Generally these skills are best, and likely only taught and assessed, through extended discourse. This is difficult to do in crowded classes where it is near to impossible to carry out extended discussions. The commitment to teaching these skills in all content areas means gaining support from the public.It also means that teachers must gain the knowledge and skills to do so through teacher preparation programs and inservice education, taking into account the real-life situations and parameters in todays classrooms. Study Skills Students who lack study skills ranked as the third greatest challenge to teachers. The importance of study skills has been documented over time in the professional literature (Flood & Lapp, 1995). What is known is that many people of all ages ha ve difficulty reading and learning, largely because they are not using appropriate techniques or good learning habits.Often, the adolescents who are dropping out of schools are doing so because they believe they carnot learn. For the majority of these students, they lack suitable reading and study techniques, which 14 Reading Horizons, 2004, 45(1) impede their growth in learning and contribute to their negative beliefs about themselves and school. Although most secondary teachers have a thorough understanding qf their subject, many responding teachers in this study indicated they lack the knowledge of instructional/study strategies by which to help students internalize the concepts.Research shows that with an organized system of study, students can increase their comprehension of subject matter up to 50 percent (Annis, 1983). As nations seek to service adolescents in gaining higher levels of literacy, the knowledge and skills that teachers need to teach their students effective stu dy habits and strategies may likely become central to the curriculum in secondary teacher preparation programs and in the curriculum of secondary schools. attempt Readers Struggling readers ranked as the fourth greatest challenge to the high school teachers.Teachers responded that these students can be found hiding out in content classrooms. They frequently are passive and disengaged. , Many have found coping strategies to help (them get by, but they do not significantly improve their literacy skills or their knowledge in the content areas. I Although comprehension of text material is difficult and sometimes impossible for struggling readers, there are research-based strategies that have proven to be winning when used with struggling readers. unitary such strategy is instructional scaffolding, an effective strategy that gives students a better chance to be successful than if left on their own (Vacca, 2002). Pedagogy, which includes instructional techniques for diverse learners, is glossed over in many teacher preparation programs for secondary teachers. However, it is as important in the preparation of high school teachers as is cognitive knowledge (Darling-Hammond, 2000). If high school teachers are to make substantial contributions to all adolescents, it will require more knowledge of relevant instructional methodologies.Darling-Hammond (2000) found that teacher subject-matter knowledge was related to student achievement only up to a certain point. Secondary Teacher Literacy Challenges 15 Marzano (2003) asserts that the importance of the relationship between pedagogical knowledge and student achievement has been consistently reported in the research literature. Furthermore, in a study conducted by Ferguson and Womack (1993), they found that the number of courses teachers took in instructional techniques accounted for four times the variance in teacher performance and student achievement than did subject-matter knowledge.Teachers stated that more informatio n about how to assist the struggling readers in their classrooms is painfully needed in preservice teacher education programs. Additionally they need to know that the strategies and support to assist these learners are realistic for todays classrooms. Key Concepts and Vocabulary Helping students to understand concepts and vocabulary ranked as the fifth greatest challenge. Every subject area has its own vocabulary and modes of argument, and its language is the common denominator for learning subject matter knowledge.Vacca and Vacca (2002) agree they state, Vocabulary must be taught well enough to remove potential barriers to students understanding of texts as well as to promote a longterm acquisition of the language of a content area (p. 160-161). Teachers want more knowledge about ways to teach vocabulary and concepts to adolescents, strategies that will provide adolescents with a deeper and richer entry into the content area of study, and strategies that will work in the classrooms of today.Intriguing Findings It is a worthy finding that the cultural and language diversity among students in the classrooms was not identified among the greatest challenges. The majority of teachers in this study were from diverse schools, and yet only two percent ranked this to be a challenge. equally notable was the fact that state, district, and school standards, writing skills, and integrating technology were not identified among the greatest challenges. 16 Reading Horizons, 2004, 45, (1).Of all the findings, the most revealing was that provided by the drivers education teachers whereas every other content-area group of teachers, albeit art, music, business, foreign language, etc. , ranked student motivation as the greatest challenge, they did not. This is not affect as it supports the findings of this study as well as long standing research in the field, as cited in Marzano, 2003. The hypothesis being that when motivated, students strive to learn.