Standardized Testing Essay example - 1558 Words

Standardized Testing Every year thousands upon thousands of children, ages seven and upwards sit down to take their scheduled standardized tests. This generation has been classified as the most tested in history. Its progress through childhood and adolescence has been punctuated by targets, key stages, attainment levels, and qualifications (Stalin in School 8). Each year the government devises a new standard and then finds a way to test how each student measures up to this standard. They have come to the conclusion that the easiest way to chart the success of school reform is to follow the results of standardized testing. But rating education strictly by the numbers is the wrong way to measure a process as complex as learning,†¦show more content†¦This being the case, the standardized tests are not conclusive and accurate of what education and learning are. However, many people feel that these tests do not measure any sort of knowledge, but rather indicates the economic background the child came from. According to Kohn, a major spokesperson on the damaging effects of standardized testing, ?What standardized tests actually measure best is the economic backgrounds of the groups that take them? (Gallagher). If you broke down the income of the test takers family and measured it in increments of $10,000 you would get a graph where for each increment of income the students score would undoubtedly increase directly. This is because higher income areas have more teaching resources readily available which gives the students a varied and comprehensive learning environment and also attracts more qualified teachers. The high salaries and vast resources available attract many well-qualified teachers vying for the space. Therefore, the school district has an advantage of a larger pool in which to choose the most qualified teacher. These factors can g ive the students an advantage which makes the standardized tests a poor scale of students or schools progress but rather a good scale of their economic background. As the weight of standardized tests increase, so does the stress. Many students are feeling overly stressed by the vast number of tests they are expected to take and pass. It is pounded intoShow MoreRelatedStandardized Testing1272 Words   |  6 PagesSynthesis Essay on Standardized Testing Standardized testing in the United States started in the mid- 1800’s (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org). This kind of testing was originally created to measure students’ performance and progress in school (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org). In recent years, the public school system has relied heavily on the information this test provides, in doing so creating controversy. Other than being a student myself, and participating in multiple standardized exams such asRead MoreStandardized Testing : Standardized Tests1186 Words   |  5 Pages Standardized Testing Impact Standardized testing is known to improve students’ education, but is it really needed in school? Standardized testing determines whether a student is prepared for the next grade based on their test scores. While some students do great on their test others struggle a lot. Not all students are good test takers; majority of the students do good in school but struggle when it comes down to testing. While many agree that standardized testing helps improve studentsRead MoreStandardized Testing And Standardized Tests1204 Words   |  5 Pagessomething we have all nearly fallen asleep to over our years of standardized tests. I myself can be included with you in that experience and I hope to give you a little more information on these all too familiar tests this afternoon. Today we are going to look at the origins of standardized testing, the purpose of standardized testing, and standardized tests around the world. But first, I want to ask you another question: what is standardized t esting? Is it A) something that has been used for some time inRead MoreStandardized Tests : Standardized Testing963 Words   |  4 PagesOct 2015 Standardized Testing in Florida In recent years Florida’s standardized testing program has taken a turn for the worst. After doing away with the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) the debate has only grown due to flood of new tests being created such as the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) or End of Course Exam (EOC). These tests are administered to test students’ abilities at the end of the school year. In spring of 2015, with only two months of testing between the EOC’sRead More Standardized Testing Essay836 Words   |  4 PagesStandardized Testing Scholar Bill Ayers believes standardized testing in schools does not accurately measure what is necessary to be successful in life. Ayers insists that Standardized tests such as the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) measure specific facts and function which are among the least interesting and slightest important information that children should know. In an article titled â€Å"Testing the Right Way for Talent†, written by Hugh Price, arguesRead MoreStandardized Testing Should Be Standardized Tests1329 Words   |  6 PagesPretty much everybody in this generation has taken a standardized test in some level of schooling. A standardized test is defined as a â€Å"test that requires all test takers to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from a common bank of questions, in the same way, and that is scored in a standard or consistent manner, which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students o r groups of students† (â€Å"Standardized Test Definition†). There is lots of debate aroundRead MoreThe Use of Standardized Testing1088 Words   |  4 Pagesthe use of standardized testing has spanned centuries, some of the earlier studies include data from the early 1900’s. According to Frazier (2009), â€Å"there is a significant difference in scores on standardized tests when students have completed a technology education program†. This study shows a correlation between the use of technology within the school system and achievement on standardized tests. Students that are exposed to technology education are more likely to do well on standardized tests. Read MoreEssay on Standardized Testing1458 Words   |  6 PagesThe No Child Left Behind Act and Standardized Testing: State, National, and International American Education has been a work in progress for the past century and a half. To measure its progress, successes, and failings, there are standardized tests. These tests have been used to compare schools, states, and nations. The key subjects being tested as a universal measure are mathematics, reading, and science. To help improve the scores on these tests, the United States put into law the No ChildRead MoreEssay On Standardized Testing1137 Words   |  5 PagesStandardized testing in public schools has become a norm across the United States. But, in Texas it has been found that students spend more time taking standardized tests than any other state (â€Å"Too Much Testing†). Standardized testing may be an asset to measure education, or more measure testing skills across the nation, but at what cost does it come? What are its effects on moral within the public education system, and how does the state government of Texas interact within it. Why does the TexasRead MoreThe Shortcomings of Standardized Testing1636 Words   |  7 PagesSince the U.S. Congress passed the No Child Left Behind program, standardized testing has become the norm for American schools. Under this system, each child attending a school is required to take a standardized test at specific grade points to assess their level of comprehension. Parents, scholars and all stakeholders involved take part in constant discussions over its effectiveness in evaluating students’ comprehension, teachers’ competency and the effects of the test on the education system. Though

Lewis Carroll s Alice s Adventures - 1432 Words

Lewis Carroll s â€Å"Alice s Adventures in Wonderland and Though the Looking-Glass are classics of the English language, Vying with the Bible and William Shakespeare as source of quotation(Blake, Kathleen 112).† Lewis Carroll s Alice s Adventures in Wonderland has always been a favorite for many children since it came out. It also has been interesting for any adult that has read it. Lewis Carroll is a literary genius even though he wrote plenty of nonsense. Born on Janurry 27, 1832, Lewis Carrol was the third child of 11(Famousauthors.org). Dodgson enjoyed entertaining his siblings; inventing games and puzzles for them as well as setting up theatrical plays and puppet shows. Dodgson was home schooled by his father for most of his early childhood. He was extremely gifted in mathematics. His Mother died when he was 19 and his father when he was 36 (Blake, Kathleen 113). He attended school at two different places. The first is Richmond Grammar School ; the second was Rugby schoo l (Famousauthors.org). At both of those schools he studied math mostly. In 1852, he got the First Class Honors in math (Famousauthors.org). He went to collage to get his masters degree in mathematics lectureship (Blake, Kathleen 114). With that degree he went on to teach at the Oxford of christ for 26 years (Famousauthors.org). Lewis Carroll had to different personalities. One was his actual personality that went by Charles Ludwig Dodgson. The other was his writing personality which went by LewisShow MoreRelatedLewis Carroll s Alice s Adventures1292 Words   |  6 Pagesdeeper meaning concealed beneath the surface of the text. Lewis Carroll, however, is an exception to this rule. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is widely known as an amusing and lighthearted children’s story, yet beneath its surface lies many hidden truths. Unlike most authors, Carroll incorporates a great deal of nonsense into his work. Putting readers through many loops in or der to decode his skewed logic, is what allows Carroll to stand apart from other authors. Hamidreza Hossein MikhchiRead MoreJ. M. Barrie s Peter Pan And Lewis Carroll s Alice s Adventure Essay2118 Words   |  9 PagesJ. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland-Comparison Analysis In what follows is a comparison analysis from the original historical text of, J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland that have both been adapted to film providing examples of similarities as well as the differences. Firstly, J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland are both children’s literature which resonates with children asRead MoreA Very Intelligent Man By Lewis Carroll1258 Words   |  6 PagesPeople often perceive the truth in numerous ways. Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice s Adventures in Wonderland, illustrates this as one of the many themes in the novel. Carroll a very intelligent man, often known by his real name: Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. At the age of twelve, he attended Richmond Grammar School a well known public school. Most of his publications included math books. Dodgson came from a family with eight younger siblings, which enabled him to develop the knack of amusing youngRead MoreGoing Further Into Wonderland By Lewis Carroll1081 Words   |  5 Pagesworld. Lewis Carroll shares the story of a girl named Alice. The book is a fun and creative story, but shares the struggles of a young girl finding her identity. T he style of Lewis Carroll is often described as symbolic. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is written using many symbols. The symbols show children’s identity changes while entering adulthood. The symbols of the garden and the caterpillar s mushroom, fantasized characters, and the rabbit hole in Wonderland lead Alice to herRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Secrets Behind Alice 1543 Words   |  7 PagesRodriguez British Literature 20 April 2015 The Secrets behind Alice in Wonderland All in the golden afternoon Full leisurely we glide; For both our oars, with little skill, By little hands are plied, While little hands make vain pretence Our wanderings to guide. Alice Adventures In wonderland by Lewis Carroll takes place in the Victorian times. The main character Alice is a curious and energetic young girl. She starts her adventure by following a white rabbit that seemed to be in a rush. She hadRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Wonderland 1126 Words   |  5 Pages Lewis Carroll s Wonderland is a queer little universe where a not so ordinary girl is faced with the contradicting nature of the fantastic creatures who live there. Alice s Adventures in Wonderland is a child s struggle to survive in the condescending world of adults. The conflict between child and adult gives direction to Alice s adventures and controls all the outstanding features of the work- Alice s character, her relationship with other characters, and the dialogue. Alice in WonderlandRead MoreLewis Carroll s Wonderland : A Magical Underworld Named Wonderland871 Words   |  4 Pages Lewis Carroll s novel Alice in Wonderland, tells the story of a young girl named Alice who adventures through a magical underworld named Wonderland. This young girl s adventures in Wonderland can be seen as a metaphor for the experience of growing up, both in terms of physically growing up and physiologically maturing as she gets to understand the adult world through her autonomy and experiences. She physically grows and shrinks again and again in the story up to a total of 12 times. Her constantRead MoreAlice s Adventures And The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde1050 Words   |  5 Pagesgrand adventures or experiences a sense of freedom. This can be seen in two novels, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by Robert Lewis Stevenson. The two books are a good representation of madness and how, in a way, the Victorian culture and expectation drove the main characters to go mad and their use of potions, pills and drugs. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was a children’s book written by Lewis Carroll. TheRead MoreJohn Charles Lutwidge Dodgson s The Looking Glass 1366 Words   |  6 Pages Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, best known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, has written many novels, poems, and short stories in his lifetime but his most famous for his children s ?nonsense? novels: Alice s Adventures in Wonderland and the sequel Through the Looking Glass. His works, especially the two mentioned, have influenced countless readers over the years, and references to his writings can be found in every type of media from the song ?White Rabbit? by Jefferson Airplane to the the MatrixRead MoreAlice, Food, And Inner Desires1217 Words   |  5 PagesAlice, Food, and Inner Desires Lewis Carroll’s whimsical journey into Wonderland has created a fantasy worlds full of mystery and depth. In this essay I will discuss the links between the consumption of food and the underlying desires behind consuming. In this essay I will argue that food is used as a transformative device to enable Alice to voluntarily explore and involuntarily supress her inner desires. Within the Lewis Carroll texts, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass

A Study on Comparison Between Chinese Values and American Values Free Essays

On the culture shock in the film of Gua Sha Culture shock was introduced to descried the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely new environment, especially when a person arrives in a new country where he is confronted with a new cultural environment. In our modern society, more and more people get this sick. You step into a new culture world. We will write a custom essay sample on A Study on Comparison Between Chinese Values and American Values or any similar topic only for you Order Now Everything around you is new. You begin to adapt. One of the most common causes of culture shock involves individuals in a foreign environment. Culture shock can be described as consisting of at least one of five distinct phases: Honeymoon, Negotiation, Adjustment, Mastery and Independence, are the most common attributes that pertain to existing problems, further hindrances include: information overload, language barrier, generation gap, technology gap, skill interdependence, formulation dependency, homesickness, infinite regress, boredom, response ability. There is no true way to entirely prevent culture shock, as individuals in any society are personally affected by cultural contrasts differently. But, this process takes time. Generally speaking, culture shock is precipitated by the anxiety that results from losing all familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. Culture shock involved two aspects: physical symptoms of culture shock and psychological symptoms of culture shock. And, how can we cure culture shock? The first coping mechanism is called â€Å"repression. † This happens when we pretend that everything is acceptable and that nothing bothers us. The second one is called â€Å"regression. † We forget everything, and something we become careless and irresponsible. The third kind of defense mechanism is called â€Å"isolation. † It is one of the worst coping mechanisms we can use because it separates us from those things that could really help us. Grandfather Xu comes from China to visit the family of his son, Datong Xu, in St. Louis. While there, he gives his grandson, Dennis Xu , a treatment of Gua Sha to treat a slight fever. The authorities, however, mistake the harmless traditional Chinese medical treatment for child abuse due to the obvious marks left on Dennis’ back. The family goes through hell when the child is taken away by the child protection agency. Meanwhile, Grandfather Xu leaves America because he finds that the living environment is really not suitable for him, as he feels that a simple, harmless treatment like Gua Sha, which is so common in China, is treated as child abuse in America. Furthermore, he cannot converse in English. An American friend of the father, Benton Davi), tries gua sha and proves that the treatment leaves painful-looking marks that are not actually painful or harmful at all. Finally, the father is able to return home and the family is reunited. Returning to one’s home culture after growing accustomed to a new one can produce the same effects as described above. This results from the psychosomatic and psychological consequences of the readjustment process to the primary culture. The affected person often finds this more surprising and difficult to deal with than the original culture shock. This phenomenon, the reactions that members of the re-entered culture exhibit toward the re-entrant, and the inevitability of the two are encapsulated in the saying â€Å"you can’t go home again,† first coined by Thomas Wolfe in his book of that title. Honeymoon phase During this period, the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light. For example, in moving to a new country, an individual might love the new food, the pace of life, and the locals’ habits. During the first few weeks, most people are fascinated by the new culture. They associate with nationals who speak their language, and who are polite to the foreigners. This period is full of observations and new discoveries. Like most honeymoon periods, this stage after some time, differences between the old and new culture become apparent and may create anxiety. Excitement may eventually give way to unpleasant feelings of frustration and anger as one continues to experience unfavorable events that may be perceived as strange and offensive to one’s cultural attitude. Language barriers, stark differences in public hygiene, traffic safety, food accessibility and quality may heighten the sense of disconnection from the surroundings. While being transferred into a different environment puts special pressure on communication skills, there are practical difficulties to overcome, such as circadian rhythm disruption that often leads to insomnia and daylight drowsiness; adaptation of gut flora to different bacteria levels and concentrations in food and water; difficulty in seeking treatment for illness, as medicines may have different names from the native country’s and the same active ingredients might be hard to recognize. Still, the most important change in the period is communication: People adjusting to a new culture often feel lonely and homesick because they are not yet used to the new environment and meet people with whom they are not familiar every day. The language barrier may become a major obstacle in creating new relationships: special attention must be paid to one’s and others’ culture-specific body language signs, linguistic faux pas, conversation tone, linguistic nuances and customs, and false fries. In the case of Gua Sha, some develop additional symptoms of loneliness that ultimately affect their lifestyles as a whole. Due to the strain of living in a different country without parental support, international students often feel anxious and feel more pressure while adjusting to new cultures—even more so when the cultural distances are wide, as patterns of logic and speech are different and a special emphasis is put on rhetoric. Again, after some time, one grows accustomed to the new culture and develops routines. One knows what to expect in most situations and the host country no longer feels all that new. One becomes concerned with basic living again, and things become more â€Å"normal†. One starts to develop problem-solving skills for dealing with the culture and begins to accept the culture’s ways with a positive attitude. The culture begins to make sense, and negative reactions and responses to the culture are reduced. In the mastery stage assignees are able to participate fully and comfortably in the host culture. Mastery does not mean total conversion; people often keep many traits from their earlier culture, such as accents and languages. It is often referred to as the biculturalism stage. You step into a new cultural world. Everything around you is new. We should devise defense mechanisms to help us cope with the effects of culture shock. How to cite A Study on Comparison Between Chinese Values and American Values, Essay examples

Euthanasia The Right to Die Essay Example For Students

Euthanasia: The Right to Die Essay Euthanasia is a very controversial topic. People argue as to whether or not aperson who is terminally ill, or handicap, should have the right or not to asktheir doctor, or relatives to die by euthanasia. People say that dying byeuthanasia is to die with dignity, instead of living an artificial life onrespirators and other life support machines. My personal feelings on this topicis one of the minority. If a person is terminally ill, and there is nothinganyone can do for them, why should they have to suffer? Not only do they sufferbut their family does also. They will watch as their condition gets worse, andthen the vision in their head of the loved one who has finally died many monthsafter they were diagnose as terminally ill, is a memory of a person lying therehelpless, not able to feed themselves, get out of bed, or talk to you. One notable euthanasia case would be Sue Rodrigous. She had a disease known asLou Gehrigs disease or ALS, which is a rare incurable disease of the nervoussystem. ALS gradually destroys the nerves that control the muscles. The resultsof which are weakness, paralysis, and eventually death. That is what SueRodrigous was suffering from for well over a year. Knowing that her conditionwas only going to get worse, and eventually, after the pain and suffering, wouldresult in death, Sue wanted to die. She wanted people to remember her as alively healthy woman, not just a body lying helpless in a hospital bed. Withthat thought in mind, Sue went to court to fight for right to die by euthanasia. The courts did not agree with her though. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, proposed the creation of a new medical specialist, theobitiarist, who would assist terminally ill patients to take their own lives,subject to strict guidelines. His patient also suffered from Lou Gehrigs disease. She was in bad shape,struggling to hold her head up, could not talk, and had to communicate using acomputer keyboard. She was deteriorating quickly. She was very smart, hesaid, a note of sadness entering his voice. Kevorkian built a machine calledthe mercitron, a jumble of tubes and bottles that would allow patients withlittle mobility to inject themselves with a lethal cocktail of drugs. In Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck, there are examples of euthanasia. Candy andhis dog were together since the dog was a pup. One of the farm hands pointed outthat the dog was no good to himself. The dog was old and would surely die aslow death. Knowing this, Candy agreed to let the man shoot the dog in the backof the head so the dog would die without feeling a thing. I dont see no reason for it, said Carlson. He went to hisbunk, pulled his bag from underneath it and took out a Lugerpistol. Les get it over with, Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal. And Slim gave him none. At last Canady said softly andhopelessly, Awright take aim. A day later Candy is talking with George and Lennie, and he says that he wishesthat when the day came that he was no good to himself anymore just like his doghad been, that someone shoot him. Of course the most obvious example of euthanasia is at the end of the novel. Lennie who is fond of things that are soft to touch is stroking Curlys wifeshair. He becomes carried away and breaks her neck and kills her. George,fearing Lennies life, takes his gun and runs into the bushes with him. As thedogs and the men from the farm run after them George realizes that when theycatch Lennie they would either torture him, or send him to a mental hospital. .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 , .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .postImageUrl , .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 , .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8:hover , .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8:visited , .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8:active { border:0!important; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8:active , .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8 .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u22bebd6d728f12e3dd64faf8c66429e8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Facebook 's Influence On Facebook EssayGeorge knows that would just kill Lennie. So George takes his gun and killsLennie with one shot to the head. And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of itclose to the back of Lennies head. The hand shook violently, but his face setand his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger.With every example of euthanasia there are some people who agree, and some whoare dead set against it. There are comprehensible, and logical reasons why somepeople are against euthanasia. Most people want their loved ones with themuntil their day has actually come for them to die. It might give people anunderstanding that it was all right to kill themselves. While the patient islying in bed some clinic, or scientist, might find a cure for the very diseasethat patient is dying from. For medical reasons they may be able to find outmore about a certain disease while someone has it. As many times as you ponderthe idea of euthanasia you will find just as many pros as cons. Maybe we haveto start thinking like the person in the hospital bed, who is unable to walk,talk, feed themselves, think for th emselves, or even breathe for themselves. Even from the perspective of the family member who has to watch their own fleshand blood suffer. O! that this too solid flesh would melt,Thaw and resolve itself into a dew;Or that the Everlasting had not fixdHis canon against self-slaughter! William Shakespeare Category: English

French Education System Essays - DraftBedroom,

French Education System D'abord, les ?tudes, en France, sont s?rieux ! Aux Etats-Unis on peut terminer le lyc?e sans passer un examen (mais ?a va changer tout de suite avec les nouvelle loi de Grey Davis notre `gouverner d'Etat de Califorie). En France les lyc?ens doivent passer le bac, c'est ? dire, le baccalaurate. C'est un examen tr?s important qui marque la fin des ?tudes secondaires et qui determine, en grande partie, l'avenir des lyc?ens. S'ils sont re?us, ils peuvent aller ? l'universit? et continuer leurs ?tudes. S'ils ratent le bac, ils peuvent redoubler et se repr?senter l'ann?e suivante, ou bien ils peuvent faire des ?tudes techniques, ou entrer dans la vie professionelle, ou, pour les gar?ons, faire leur service militaire. Il y a plusiers types de bac. Ils sont d?sign?s par des lettres. Dans chaque s?rie, l'?l?ve doit choisir une sp?cialit?. Il y trois s?ries principales avec leurs sp?cialit?s. Il y le S?rie litt?raire, le Bac L avec langues vivantes, lettres classiques, art et math?matiques. Le S?rie ?conomique et sociale, Bac ES avec les sp?cialit?s de sciences ?conomiques et sociale, math?matiques, et langues vivantes. Et finalment, il y a le S?rie scientifique, le bac S avec math?matiques, physique chimie, sciences de la vie et de la terre, et technologie industrielle. Ces sp?cialit?s sont important parce qu'elles d?terminent le genre d'?tudes universitaires qu'on peut faire, et, par cons?quent, sa profession future. Par exemple, si on veut ?tre m?decin ou pharmacien, il est conseill? de faire un bac S. sp?cialit? sciences de la vie et de la terre. Si on pense faire des ?tudes de droit, et devenir avocat, il est pr?f?rable de faire un bac ES, sp?cialit? sciences ?conomiques et sociales. Normalement, les ?tudes universitaires aux Etas-Unis durent quatre ans, mais en France ils durent au moins trois ans. Aussi, certains jeunes qui ont le bac pr?f?rent ?tudier en I.U.T. (institut Superieur de Technologie) o? ils peuvent obtenir un dipl?me universitaire de technologie apr?s deux ann?es d'?tudes. Les grandes ?coles sont une autre option. Ce sont des ?coles sp?cialis?es dans certains domaines : commerce, administration publique, profesions d'ing?nieur, etc. Pour entrer dans ces ?cole prestigieuses, il faut passer un concours extr?mement difficile, auquel la plupart des candidats ?chouent. Cependant, si on est re?u, et si on obtient le dipl?me d'une de ces ?coles, on a toutes les chances de faire une brillante carri?re dans le commerce, la finance, l'industrie et m?me la politique. Comme on peut le voir, les dipl?mes ont beaucoup d'importance en France. Un dipl?me repr?sente une carte d'entr?e dans la vie professionelle. En France, les ?tudes sont s?rieux

Shaolin Monks Fight Japanese Pirates

Shaolin Monks Fight Japanese Pirates Ordinarily, the life of a Buddhist monk involves meditation, contemplation, and simplicity. In mid-16th century China, however, the monks of Shaolin Temple were called upon to battle Japanese pirates who had been raiding the Chinese coastline for decades. How did the Shaolin monks end up acting as a paramilitary or police force? The Shaolin Monks By 1550, the Shaolin Temple had been in existence for approximately 1,000 years. The resident monks were famous throughout Ming China for their specialized and highly effective form of kung fu (gong fu). Thus, when ordinary Chinese imperial army and navy troops proved unable to stamp out the pirate menace, Nanjings Vice-Commissioner-in-Chief, Wan Biao, decided to deploy monastic fighters. He called upon the warrior-monks of three temples: Wutaishan in Shanxi Province, Funiu in Henan Province, and Shaolin. According to contemporary chronicler Zheng Ruoceng, some of the other monks challenged the leader of the Shaolin contingent, Tianyuan, who sought the leadership of the entire monastic force. In a scene reminiscent of countless Hong Kong films, the eighteen challengers chose eight from among themselves to attack Tianyuan. First, the eight men came at the Shaolin monk with bare hands, but he fended them all off. They then grabbed swords; Tianyuan responded by seizing the long iron bar that was used to lock the gate. Wielding the bar as a staff, he defeated all eight of the other monks simultaneously. They were forced to bow to Tianyuan, and acknowledge him as the proper leader of the monastic forces. With the question of leadership settled, the monks could turn their attention to their real adversary: the so-called Japanese pirates. The Japanese Pirates The fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were tumultuous times in Japan. This was the Sengoku Period, a century and a half of warfare among competing daimyo when no central authority existed in the country. Such unsettled conditions made it hard for ordinary folks to make an honest living... but easy for them to turn to piracy. Ming China had problems of its own. Although the dynasty would hang on to power until 1644, by the mid-1500s it was beset by nomadic raiders from the north and west, as well as rampant brigandage along the coast. Here, too, piracy was an easy and relatively safe way to make a living. Thus, the so-called Japanese pirates, wako or woku, were actually a confederation of Japanese, Chinese, and even some Portuguese citizens who banded together. (The pejorative term wako literally means dwarf pirates.) The pirates raided for silks and metal goods, which could be sold in Japan for up to ten times their value in China. Scholars debate the precise ethnic makeup of the pirate crews, with some maintaining that no more than 10% were actually Japanese. Others point to the long list of clearly Japanese names among the pirate rolls. In any case, these motley international crews of seagoing peasants, fishermen, and adventurers wreaked havoc up and down the Chinese coast for more than 100 years. Calling Out the Monks Desperate to regain control of the lawless coast, Nanjing official Wan Biao mobilized the monks of Shaolin, Funiu, and Wutaishan. The monks fought the pirates in at least four battles. The first took place in the spring of 1553 on Mount Zhe, which overlooks the entrance to Hangzhou City via the Qiantang River. Although details are scarce, Zheng Ruoceng notes that this was a victory for the monastic forces. The second battle was the monks greatest victory: the Battle of Wengjiagang, which was fought in the Huangpu River Delta in July of 1553. On July 21, 120 monks met an approximately equal number of pirates in battle. The monks were victorious, and chased the remnants of the pirate band south for ten days, killing every last pirate. Monastic forces suffered only four casualties in the fighting. During the battle and mop-up operation, the Shaolin monks were noted for their ruthlessness. One monk used an iron staff to kill the wife of one of the pirates as she tried to escape the slaughter. Several dozen monks took part in two more battles in the Huangpu delta that year. The fourth battle was a grievous defeat, due to incompetent strategic planning by the army general in charge. After that fiasco, the monks of Shaolin Temple and the other monasteries seem to have lost interest in serving as paramilitary forces for the Emperor. Warrior-Monks: An Oxymoron? Although it seems quite odd that Buddhist monks from Shaolin and other temples would not only practice martial arts but actually march into battle and kill people, perhaps they felt the need to maintain their fierce reputation. After all, Shaolin was a very wealthy place. In the lawless atmosphere of late Ming China, it must have been very useful for the monks to be renowned as a deadly fighting force. Sources John Whitney Hall, The Cambridge History of Japan, Vol. 4, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999). Meir Shahar, Ming-Period Evidence of Shaolin Martial Practice, Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, 61:2 (Dec. 2001). Meir Shahar, The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Arts, (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2008).

High performance work systems are effective for the performance of Essay - 1

High performance work systems are effective for the performance of organizations but are not very good for employees Critically discuss - Essay Example entally distinct approach for managing the human resource groups as compared to the traditional hierarchical approach of human resource and performance management which are commonly used in mass production and scientific management (Forth and Millward 2004). The core concept of the high performance work system is based on the development of an employer and employee relationship which is radically different from the Tailorysm management techniques of human resource and performance management in which a controlling and dictating approach is taken up (Armstrong 2006). This work system aims at developing high involvement through the development of an adequate degree of commitment among all levels of human resources working in the organization (Forth and Millward, 2004). The notion of the high performance work system are supported by claims that this system of work practices lead to the creation of superior performance at the individual as well as organizational levels (Wright et. al, 2005). However, it can be argued that the system of high performance work systems often makes an organization shift from the conventional and eclectic selection of the best practices employed in human resource management which ensures the creation of higher organizational performance outcomes but does not necessarily add to the performance outcomes of individual employees in an organization (Armstrong 2006). Developing the work on these lines of analysis, this essay is prepared with the objective of critically discussing the role of high performance work systems in organizational and individual performances (Godard 2004). Various researchers across diverse fields of study like industrial relations labor economics, organizational behavior, and strategic human resource management and operations management who have presented varied views regarding the effectiveness of the high performance work systems in the contemporary business organizations (Evans and Davis 2005). As per the views of