High Stakes Testing Essay - 1205 Words

High Stakes Testing Albert Einstein once stated, â€Å"not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.† High-stakes testing attempts to determine the knowledge a person has obtained throughout grades K-12. These standardized tests are being used to judge a person’s ability to graduate from high school and also judge if a child has enough knowledge to proceed to the next grade level. Throughout this paper, I will be discussing how these tests do not accurately portray one’s intelligence, how they have increased drop out rates, and also show the damaging psychological affects they have had. High stakes testing does not accurately determine a student’s intelligence. In 1999, the National†¦show more content†¦This study also stated that, â€Å"every standardized test has a certain â€Å"error of measurement† which means that a given score could actually be off by several points in either direction. High stakes, however, have single scores as the cut-off point. Those scores do not account for the inaccuracies that all test publishers acknowledge†(azstandards). There have been many studies in which students take the same test on different days, and their score varies greatly. High stakes testing does not give any consideration to these errors. High stakes testing increases drop out rates. Texas adopted a test much like the AIMS in the 1990-91 school year. TAAS (Texas Assessment of Academic Skills) testing has produced a very astounding number of minority dropouts. The Arizona Standards study states that there has been a 30% increase in dropouts among Hispanic and African-American students (azstandards). Walt Haney, who wrote an article on the effects of the TAAS test, claims that, â€Å"a convergence of evidence indicates that during the 1990s, slightly less than 70% of students in Texas actually graduated from high school†(http://www.epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v8n41). The Alliance for Childhood organization discussed how, â€Å"there is growing evidence that the pressure and anxiety associated with high-stakes testing is unhealthy for children...and may undermine the development of positive social relationships and attitudes towards school andShow MoreRelatedBenefits And Backlashes Of High Stakes Testing890 Words    |  4 PagesThe Benefits and Backlashes of High-Stakes Testing What if the determining factor of whether or not you would be successful or a failure in life was solely based on the results of one test. Regardless of all the progress you have accomplished over your life, it all comes down to this big moment, the big test! That is the reality many students face annually due to high-stakes testing. High-stakes testing is the use of a summative test or an assessment to make decisions that are of prominent educationalRead MoreEssay about High Stakes Testing1323 Words   |  6 PagesHigh Stakes Testing In 1997, President Bill Clinton stated that the United States needed, â€Å" a national crusade for education standards - not federal government standards, but national standards, representing what all our students must know to succeed in the knowledge economy of the twenty-first century†(http://books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/13.html). The way to succeed in this journey is through standardized testing that results in consequences for teachers and students. ThroughoutRead MoreHigh Stakes Testing And Statewide Standards1159 Words   |  5 Pages High-stakes testing and statewide standards The Department of Education concludes that high-stakes testing and statewide standards puts too strain on both the teacher and student. Multiple studies show evidence of miscalculation of scores, teachers being blamed for low test score, and too much time spent on preparation for the tests. The purpose of this policy brief is to elaborate on the non-beneficial components of high-stakes testing and statewide standards. Thus, peer-reviewed research articlesRead MoreHigh Stakes Testing Is An Educational Strategy976 Words   |  4 PagesHigh-stakes testing is an educational strategy that affects students, teachers, and society as a whole. The topic of high-stakes testing has been supported and discredited by many educators, politicians, and citizens. Nationally, schools are using high-stakes testing for a variety of reasons. The American Educational Research Association discussed high-stakes testing and issued a statement that read: Many states and school districts mandate testing programs to gather data about student achievementRead MoreHigh-Stakes Testing in American Schools Essay1548 Words   |  7 Pagesadministering high-stakes tests. High-stakes testing is scrutinized all the time, since some believe it is the only indicator of tracking students and teachers. They seemed to have been ridiculed by many and favored by few; nonetheless there are significant disparities in the public’s and government’s opinion. According to Dunne (2000), â€Å"Tests arent just tests anymore -- at least not high-stakes tests, which are being used in some states to determine which students stay back a grade, which high schoolRead MoreHigh Stakes Testing And The Turn Is Not Well Received1152 Words   |  5 Pagesstandardized tests. There are many defining factors and elements that are articulated in the realm of standardized testing. Some of these factors are academic shift from learning to accountability in learning, test data, the problems that plague education and schools related to standardized tests, and the possible solutions for them. Education has gone from standardized testing to high stakes testing and the turn is not well received. A standardized test is defined by, â€Å"The Glossary of Education Reform†Read MoreHigh-Stakes Testing, the Standardized Classroom, and the Marginalization of Multicultural Education1817 Words   |  8 Pagesto work together to solve the world’s problems.† These statements by James A. Banks have made a profound impact on my view towards multicultural education and the nation’s current trend of standardization and high-stakes testing. Scholarly research shows that the emphasis placed on testing and standards, mandated by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, is causing teachers to focus entirely on basic skills in reading, writing, and math (Banks Banks, 2010). This focus on basic skills is takingRead MoreArticle Analysis: The Four Effects of the High-STakes Testing Movement on African American K-12 Students781 Words   |  3 PagesEffects of the High-Stakes Testing Movement on African American K-12 Students discusses four ways in which high-stakes tes ting has harmed African American students in particular and recommendations for improving their school experiences. Standardized tests have become the main criteria to which student’s knowledge, teacher efficacy, and school quality are assessed due to No Child Left Behind. The authors discuss that one way African Americans have been harmed through high-stakes testing and standardizedRead MoreThe Potential Impacts of Upcoming High-Stakes Testing on the Teaching of Science in Elementary Classrooms-Research Article Critique1250 Words   |  5 Pagesto indicate teachers’ perceptions and concerns about the high-stakes standardized science testing being implemented in the elementary school. Data of a qualitative nature was collected through surveys. Data about previous standardized testing instruments used in the district and a rationale and brief history of the teaching of science in the district was presented first. A significant amount of primary research regarding standardized testing, test preparation activities, science teaching methodsRead MoreHigh Stakes Testing Essay1830 Words   |  8 PagesWithout Relying on High-Stakes Testing The names are familiar to most parents: No Child Left Behind, Common Core State Standards, Race to the Top. These initiatives and others signify the importance of education in the United States and the many ways in which the standards have been set throughout the last couple of decades. The early childhood education community has felt the pressure to meet benchmarks set forth by these initiatives just as much as elementary, middle school, and high school teachers

Is Homelessness A Social Problem - 971 Words

omelessness does not discriminate; it can affect people from all walks of life no matter sex, race, or religion. Last year alone, more than 3.5 million people experienced homelessness. Thirty five % affecting families with children and mental illness contribute to the lowest at twenty% (Students against Hunger). There are many different homeless population in between, such as military veterans, children under the age of 18, and those that have experienced domestic violence just to name a few. Homelessness is a social problem because it depletes federal funding, increases taxes, and can lead to criminal activity. The reaction to homelessness regarding the homeless is a social problem in itself. It seems that Americans view homelessness as a threat to society, an embarrassment, and sometimes one may even try to act as though the problem does not even exist. They turn their heads in shame, disgust, pity, distaste and fear. When thinking about the Conservative views on homelessness in m y community, I immediately think about the old Symbolic Interaction Theory, where it is believes that homelessness is a â€Å"personal deficiency.† According to our text, society’s individualistic culture persuades them that homelessness is a direct result of the victims doing by lack of motivation and intelligence, as well as being responsible for their own social standing that puts individuals in the situation of being homeless in the first place (pg.48) Conservatives, time and time again seesShow MoreRelatedHomelessness Is A Social Problem1459 Words   |  6 PagesOn any given night there are over 600,000 individuals experiencing homelessness across America (State of Homelessness, 2014). Some may be in transitional housing, others in shelters. Some may be completely on their own or with a companion of sorts, others are entire families lacking shelter, food, and basic everyday essentials more fortunate people take for granted. It is hard for anyone to believe that l iving on the streets could be a reality. The majority of homeless people have been driven intoRead MoreSocial Problem Homelessness1065 Words   |  5 PagesApplication Social Problem Research: Homelessness Homelessness is becoming a major social issue in the United States, with many poor families and young people ending up in the street because of several reasons. This condition is leaving many people helpless in the streets and the number keep on rising on a daily basis. Cities like Detroit and New York are among the most populous with poor families and homeless people, making it important for government and other social agencies to find urgent solutionRead MoreHomelessness : The Social Problem Essay853 Words   |  4 PagesHousing is the social problem and the social issue addressed by the social problem is homelessness. Homelessness is â€Å"an individual who lacks housing (without regard to whether the individual is a member of a family), including an individual whose primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility (e.g., shelters) that provides temporary living accommodations, and an individual who is a resident in transitional housing† (HHS, 2016). The history of homelessness dates as farRead MoreThe Social Problem Of Homelessness2038 Words   |  9 PagesDescription of the social problem Homelessness is an epidemic social problem that faces several individuals and families across the United States, especially in Detroit, Michigan. You may have seen a person or family sleeping on a park bench, under bridges and other public areas. Perhaps you have seen them holding up a sign on a street corner asking for money because of the hunger pains. At some point, we all had taken a look at the person holding up their sign thinking it’s not my problem. Why shouldRead MoreHomelessness : A Social Problem2408 Words   |  10 PagesHumans are known to be social creatures. It does not matter whether an individual falls on the introverted side of a personality spectrum because some form of human interaction is needed in order to function in life. However, when individuals are shunned by society due to issues such as homelessness or mental illness, the social contact that they need in order to thrive often stops. Many individuals are condemned if they suffer with homelessness or mental illness, however the integration of individualsRead MoreHomelessness : A Serious Social Problem1464 Words   |  6 PagesHomelessness is a serious social problem in most American cities. Homeless people are those who sleep in the open air or in provisional accommodation such as shelters or hotels, have no settlement after expulsion or release from jail or hospital, or dwell provisionally with relatives or friends on account of shortage of housing (Crane et al. 154-155). American economy has developed very fast since 1980s, but homeless population has been increasing. They seem to be seen here and there in public placeRead MoreHomelessness Is A Serious Social Problem2538 Words   |  11 Pages Homelessness in America has been a considered a serious social problem for at least thirty to forty years, affecting thousands upon thousands of people in all regions of the country. The individuals and families that make up the homeless population face struggles every day that many of us may never even experience in our entire lives. There are many factors that either contribute to or directly cause homelessness. Unfortunately, many people in our society believe that homelessness is a personalRead MoreWhy Homelessness Is Worldwide And Social Problem866 Words   |  4 Pagestransitional housing† (â€Å"definition of homelessness,† n.d.). It is important to recognize that homelessness is worldwide and social problem because it is directly affected by large social forces that affects individual’s social life. In a research made by Coalition for the homeless says that in December 2015, there were 60,096 homeless people in New York City, including 14,553 homeless fam ilies with 23,885 homeless children. Moreover, this becomes a social problem, due in large involvement to structuralRead MoreHomelessness Is The Most Vital Social Problem1668 Words   |  7 Pages Out of all of the social problems that are prevalent across America, homelessness is the one that should be grabbing the nation’s attention. As of April 20th of 2015, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 1,750,000 individuals in the United States were reported as being homeless (Homelessness/Poverty). Homelessness in America is a major problem, which needs to be addressed in a much more effective manner than it currently is. It should be at the forefront of everyRead MoreWhy Homelessness Is Worldwide And Social Problem858 Words   |  4 Pagestransitional housing† (â€Å"definition of homelessness,† n.d.). It is important to recognize that homelessness is worldwide and social problem because it is directly affected by large social forc es that affects individual’s social life. In a research made by Coalition for the homeless says that in December 2015, there were 60,096 homeless people in New York city, including 14,553 homeless families with 23, 885 homeless children. Moreover, this becomes a social problem, due in large part to structural inequality

The Dobe Ju/Hoansi free essay sample

Richard Borshay Lee provided from his time spent with the Dobe Ju/‘hoansi. The first thing I was fascinated by was their impressive tracking skills they have honed throughout their many years of hunting. According to author, they are able to identify the physical attributes amongst other details of various animals they hunt simply by analyzing the tracks these animals leave behind. They can tell time of day and how long ago it passed by, whether the animal is old or injured, etc. This simply fascinates me because I have always been fond of detective novels, work, shows, etc. I say this because the Dobe Ju/‘hoansi are basically detectives in their own way. They track down their prey the same way an investigator would track down a criminal. Another thing that caught my attention was the Dobe Ju/‘hoansi’s use of humor. Their way of joking involves various ways of insulting their peers and making sure they are not praised when they have done something appreciative. We will write a custom essay sample on The Dobe Ju/Hoansi or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They laugh at one another and downplay their own achievements. This interested me because it motivated me to reflect upon my own culture. Furthermore I asked myself an insightful question; is humor a natural condition that all humans can understand equally or is it merely a social condition that varies depending on one’s culture? While pondering upon this question, I also asked myself if my own humour was really so different from the Dobe Ju/‘hoansi’s. I came to the conclusion that no it is not. I cannot speak on behalf of everyone but when I was a teenager, my friends and I had a similar sense of humour as the Dobe Ju/‘hoansi’s. We would insult one another, make jokes about ones physical appearance, etc. Although I still seldom submit to this type of humor, I believe I have now matured enough to know the difference between what is funny and what is simply disrespectful and insensitive. Therefore, humour has to be a social condition that varies depending on one’s culture. I say this because, like the Dobe Ju/‘hoansi, I had to alter my sense of humour in order to fit in with the norm of society. The Dobe Ju/‘hoansi sense of humour is an important feature as it helps them maintain respect towards one another and it also avoids arrogance within the self. In our culture, my sense of humour must be â€Å"matured† in order to avoid hurting other people’s feelings. All in all, we as humans adapt to the cultures we are brought up in.

Memorandum Essays (576 words) - , Term Papers

Memorandum To: John Smith, President From: Date: August 7, 2016 Subject: Should Campus Police Carry Guns Introduction and Recommendation Do you feel safe walking to your car in a dark, empty parking lot? Well, neither do we. We feel like at any point in time something could happen. Yes, there is campus police, but what can they do if unarmed and facing an armed robber? We feel like it would be greatly beneficial if all campus police are armed. To increase safety for all, I recommend that all campus police carry guns. All armed campus police will be responsible for helping to monitor parking lots and walkways; monitoring dorm areas and any common area to students. Benefits and Costs Having campus police carry guns would have a great effect on overall safety: Students would feel safe walking to vehicle in parking lots. Lives could be saved in the event that there is an active shooter on campus. Campus police carrying guns can be a deterrent to anyone wanting to commit a crime. Cost: Yearly cost will increase due to the training that each individual will be required to have. The average salary will increase from $32,000 to $50,000. The dean believes that we could offset this expenditure with the increase of enrollment due to our safety statistics. Conclusion As we move forward as a statistically proven, safe school, I hope that you consider all that we have to offer when we have campus police carrying guns. Some may argue that a weapon isn't the answer, but wouldn't you feel safer with armed patrol on your campus? During our 2015-2016 school year, we have noticed the lack of books we have for our students to read. We have improved our reading goals so greatly that our students are reading more and more. We have students that are reading as early as Pre-K. With this being said, we are in dire need of more books. We are asking for your help in providing more books for our campus. Statistics show that 61% of low income families have no books at all in their homes for their children.(Reading Literacy in the United States, 1996) How do we expect our children to learn if we do not have enough books at school, and they don't have any at home? In middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children.(Neuman, Susan B. and David K. Dickinson, ed. Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Volume 2. New York, NY: 2006, p. 31.) Children are so excited to learn and meet new reading goals. If we have more books then we can continue to provide a great foundation for their future. When children are engaged in books of their interest, they are so excited and so ready to finish and start another. We hold the future for these children and it is our duty to make sure they have all instruments they need to learn. I know that book can be costly, but can you afford for your child to be one that was left behind due to the fact they didn't have enough books to keep them engaged? I don't think this is a risk any of us are willing to take. With your help we can make sure that these children have a great foundation to build their future. F T T T F T F T F F