Benefits of Standardized Testing for Students and Teachers - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 700 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/06/24 Category Management Essay Level High school Tags: Standardized Testing Essay Did you like this example? Standardized testing is a very commonly used method of evaluating students with the same test to draw comparable data. It has been used for decades, but only recently did it start picking up speed. America first began standardization to keep up with our rapid-paced society. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Benefits of Standardized Testing for Students and Teachers" essay for you Create order According to Bruce Dixon, an educational innovator and motivational speaker from Albany, schools across the nation were forced to figure out an efficient method to measure student academic ability (Dixon 49). The easiest option was to administer identical tests to every student and have them all graded equally. They are used to group students according to intellectual ability, therefore identifying students with disabilities. A professor of international education and entrepreneurship at University of the Incarnate Word in Texas, Osman zturgut, found that his practice originates from China 605 BC, where individuals test scores dictated which government job you were to dedicate the rest of your life to (?–zturgut 1-3). Today, test scores are made a priority in most schools and are heavily emphasised as the most important and crucial part of the academic school year for students in all grades. The school districts then use the gathered exam scores and publicize their results, says Anya Kamenetz, an American writer who attended Yale University and owns a blog regarding education (Kamenetz 47-48). These results are then in turn used to deem which school is the best to send new children to. However, these particular students will face many challenges once they are there. Standardized testing is a current issue growing more popular throughout the United States over the last decade. The nation is divided over the question of whether or not uniform exams accurately measure academic ability. All students, regardless of race, ability, gender, or age, in all schools should be better represented than with a numerical test grade. Although some claim standardized testing is the only method to measure the intell ectuality of the American children, the benchmark is unclear and unmanageable for most of our countrys students. Standardized testing should not be used to measure the abilities of children for its inaccuracy and negligence of other redeeming qualities of young scholars. Testing using standardization creates an unequal playing field and in no way shows all the qualities that students should actually be judged on. It has a dramatic effect on both the students and teachers. One elementary school teacher in Maryland found that her higher-level students were getting scores on exams that were below the standard. Not only were the students devastated, but the parents were as well. Confusion ensued as they had never been told that their child was performing below the standard before. This revealed that no one ever truly knew how they were doing academically. Standardized tests are the only true way to expose where you are in relation to your classmates. An accumulating amount of parents began to protest standardized testing for its deceitfulness and unmanageability. This problem is a result of the benchmark being set by a specific group that doesnt accurately represent the actual test takers. The students that set the standard for the rest of America are privileged, undiverse children. Washington DCs system to evaluate their kids, the Comprehensive Assessment System, is like checking if a window is open by throwing a stone at it, according to a third grade teacher Lelac Almagor (Almagor 6-7). In no way does it do enough to genuinely analyze a childs cognitive abilities. Dixon goes as far as describing standardized testing as a form of tyranny. Those involved in any school district should question where this average comes from. Just memorizing facts for the sole purpose of a single test, then forgetting them immediately afterwards, does nothing for the intellectuality of children. Nevertheless, this is what they are forced to do if they want to reach that average (Dixon 49). However, that is the ideology of standardized testing. Results from the exams do not evaluate the quality of teaching. Alfie Kohn, an American author, expert in human behavior, a Brown University gradu ate, and advocate of progressive learning, has found that educators cannot learn from their students scores to refine their lesson plans because they offer no insight as to what works and what does not.

Essay Holdens Fear of Change in The Catcher in the Rye

People rebel for a cause. In the book â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† , the protagonist, Holden Caulfield is living in a school called Pencey Prep. Holden is failing all of his classes except English, and he often curses and smokes cigarettes in his dorm. One of Holden’s main problems in life is the death of his brother Allie. Allie, who died of leukemia 3 years prior to the events of the book, was the only person who deeply understood Holden. When Allie died, Holden broke all of the windows in his garage while breaking his own hand. Holden even states that he tried to break his family’s station wagon, but his hand was broken. This event shows that Holden really cared about Allie and that his death had a huge impact on his life. The death of†¦show more content†¦The line â€Å"Under the shadow of her father’s terrible collar †¦Ã¢â‚¬  proves this idea. The narrator is hesitant when kissing her which is proved by the line â€Å"And as she find s you incredibly naà ¯ve,† The narrator is most likely afraid of what will happen next if he continues with the girl. He is probably afraid that something would happen between him and her father, so he becomes afraid of the change about to occur. â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† and â€Å"Novel† shares a very similar characteristic. Holden is afraid of change because his brother Allie died and he believes that growing up will lead to death and ultimately nothing good will come out of it. The narrator in â€Å"Novel† is also afraid of change because he is hesitant when he is kissing the girl. The narrator also drinks beer and has a good time walking around saying that he isn’t serious because he’s 17. Both Holden and the narrator are afraid of change and coming of age. People who usually have trouble accepting change often have trouble accepting other people. In â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† by J.D. Salinger, Holden looks down upon many p eople, sometimes even when he doesn’t know them. He refers to these people as ‘phonies’. The relationship between Holden and Jane was just friendly, in Jane’s point of view. Holden had a most likely secret crush on her, but didn’t have the guts to tell her. Even when Stradlater was dating her, he thought of calling her up but he didn’t in the endShow MoreRelatedCatcher and the Rye Essay1382 Words   |  6 Pagesnovel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger expresses the free will of choice. Salinger cleverly conveys how decisions can alter a person’s perspective of their peer. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, is a young teenager who has emotional instability and behavioral concerns. Holden acts immaturely extensively throughout the book. Holden invents a world where adulthood is the emblem of superficiality and â€Å"phoniness†, while he chooses to convey childhood as a world of innocence. Holden’s observationRead More The Tragedy of Holden Caulfield Is That He Cannot Accept the Adult World He Is Too Old to Continue the Innocent Life of a Child1033 Words   |  5 PagesThe main concern of the novel The Catcher in the Rye is not only that the protagonist is trapped between childhood and adulthood, but also the alienation and regression caused by grief when the sufferer does not address their loss properly. Holden Caulfields nervous breakdown is largely due to the death of his younger brother. It is because of this that he fears change and maturity so much, specifically the loss of innocence. Holden cannot accept the complexities of the world; instead, he uses phoninessRead MoreThe Innocence of Childhood in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger1262 Words   |  6 Pagesas a responsible, mature individual. The novel â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† by J.D. Salinger follows the endeavours of Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old teenage boy who faces a point in his life where he must make the t ransition from childhood to adulthood. In an attempt to retain his own childhood, he begins hoping to stop other young children from growing up and losing their innocence as well. As indicated by the title, â€Å"The Catcher in the Rye† is a book that explores a theme involving the preservationRead MoreUse of Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby820 Words   |  4 PagesUse Of Symbolism In The Catcher In The Rye and The Great Gatsby There are many writers like James Joyce, Patrick Kananach and Thomas Moore who use symbolism to convey and support indirect meaning in their writings. J.D. Salinger and F. Scott Fitzgerald both use symbolism in similar ways. In both The Catcher In The Rye and The Great Gatsby, the authors used symbolism to convey emotions and reality. In The Catcher In The Rye, J.D. Salinger uses Holdens red hunting cap, the exhibitsRead MoreF. Salinger s The Catcher s The Rye 1614 Words   |  7 Pagespsychopaths shelves, also the best novel read in class. The Catcher in the Rye is a novel commonly found on psychopaths’ shelves and no one has ever found out why. It is a remarkable novel that has been banned in the past but is also studied today in schools around the world. In Mr. Capilongo’s grade 9 AP English class, three novels were read following the theme of â€Å"The teen experience†: To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham.Read More Catcher in the Rye Essay: The Importance of Language1464 Words   |  6 PagesThe Importance of Language in The Catcher in the Rye   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye has captured the spirit of adolescence, dramatizing Holden Caulfields vulgar language and melodramatic reactions. Written as the autobiographical account of a fictional teenage prep school student named Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye deals with material that is socially scandalous for the time (Gwynn, 1958). As an emotional, intelligent, and sensitive young man, Holden puts his innerRead MoreThe Catcher Of The Rye By F. Salinger1386 Words   |  6 PagesAs a â€Å"gateway drug for a generation of teenagers,† Jerome David Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, is a world-renowned phenomenon (Teicholz). On the surface it highlights a teenager’s mentally challenging journey of painfully trying to transition into adulthood, while also wanting to reject the adult world and seek refuge in his idealistic childhood recollections. However, these ideas can be analyzed on a deeper level, not only to better understand the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, but alsoRead MoreCatcher In The Rye Symbolism Essay713 Words   |  3 Pagesrepercussions of anxiety and fear which lead to the ultimate idea that 19 million American adults suffer from cases of severe depression. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of Catcher in the Rye, suffers depression, which leads to conflict between him and society during his junior and senior year in high school The author, J.D. Salinger, uses symbolism and imagery to portray Holden’s lack of confidence due to his disruptive and frazzled childhood. Symbolism in Catcher in the Rye shows what the charactersRead MoreThe Catcher and the Rye1196 Words   |  5 PagesThe Catcher and the Rye Benjamin Lynch 4/6/2012 Thesis Statement: Outline: * Intro * Tropophobia * Suicide * Withdraw himself from society * Incapable of recognizing the beneficial aspects in life * His fear of growing up and projecting others from it as well * Symbolism * Conclusion 1st Draft: The Biographical Lens applied to The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger expresses his view of society in his novel, The Catch in the Rye. His viewpointsRead More Use Of Symbolism In The Catcher In The Rye and The Great Gatsby804 Words   |  4 PagesUse Of Symbolism In â€Å"The Catcher In The Rye† and â€Å"The Great Gatsby† There are many writers like James Joyce, Patrick Kananach and Thomas Moore who use symbolism to convey and support indirect meaning in their writings. J.D. Salinger and F. Scott Fitzgerald both use symbolism in similar ways. In both â€Å"The Catcher In The Rye† and â€Å"The Great Gatsby†, the authors used symbolism to convey emotions and reality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In â€Å"The Catcher In The Rye†, J.D. Salinger uses Holden’s red hunting cap, the exhibits

Paper Planes by M.I.A free essay sample

Paper Planes: Against America? The worst song that my ears have ever bled to is Paper Planes by M.I.A It is one fo the most insulting, disgusting pieces of work that I’ve ever come into contact with. Anyone with musical taste would dismiss this song as a poorly produced version of pop music. The singer, Maya Alrulpragasmad’s little girl voice, computer-made background sounds, and the seemingly techno-like vibe give off a feeling of pure innocence. When listening to only the music itself, I find that I feel as if I’m frolicking in a dress in some field of dandelions with a lollipop stuck in my mouth. Furthermore, if anyone had any taste of what a true artist could bring into the music world, they would know that Maya Alrulpragasmad is just one more commercialized, radio-produced frauds. The purpose of music is not to show support for terrorism or seemingly anti-American propaganda, as Paper Planes has done. We will write a custom essay sample on Paper Planes by M.I.A or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Alrulpragasmad’s father is apart of the Tamil Tigers, which is a group of liberationists known for violence, mishap, and terrorism. Alrurlpragasmad is also apart of this group and shows her support through her music, like putting the face of a tiger in her videos. She then tells the press that she does not support terrorism but instead just supports the Tamil Tigers. The Tamil Tigers are famed for their suicide bombings, which have reached around two hundred. The FBI says these people created the suicide belt and were the first to use women for suicide bombings. They have been accused of nearly twelve murders of people who are public figures and also accused of murdering civilians. Considering the 9-11 attacks, I’m shocked and appalled that we Americans are dancing to this song in their cars, seeing her perform live on our stages, and playing the Paper Planes music video on our televisions. Let us ask ourselves, what does M.I.A stand for? Could it be â€Å"Murder in America†? Alrulpragasmad uses innocent words like â€Å"swagger† and â€Å"hustler† in what appears to be a sad attempt at instilling some kind of rapper’s lingo into Paper Planes. At the same time, behind that tiny voice and non-threatening words, a cruel message is being put forth. The music video begins with planes going towards towers while Alrulpragasmad sings, â€Å"I fly like paper, get high like planes. If you catch me at the border, I got visas in my name.† Further into the song, the listener hears a chorus of, â€Å"All I wanna do is (sound of gunshots) take your money (sound of a cash register opening).† It then continues on to, â€Å"Pirate skulls and bones. Sticks and stones and weed, and bombs. Running when we hit ’em. Lethal poison through their system.† After the first chorus of this, there is a scene where Alrulpragasmad is standing in what seems to be a DVD store. The gunshots sound and for each gunshot, it quickly shows faces of people on the DVD. After slowly the video down and pausing it, the viewer will see that below the faces is â€Å"EVIL† in large letters. After the second chorus, when the singer says â€Å"running when we hit ’em† there is a scene of civilians crossing the street. First, we must ask ourselves: who is we? What system? Who is running? Who is being hit? Who is being hit by what? Alrulpragasmad’s ending to Paper Planes is, â€Å"some, some, I murder. Some, some, some I let go.† Of course, Alrulpragasmad has her freedom of speech but so do we. She denies supporting terrorism, but anyone who supports the Tamil Tigers is supporting terrorism because they’re clearly a terrorist group. Is what Alrulpragasmad saying okay for the youth of America to be be-bopping to in their cars? Where has America gone? With the singer apart of the Tamil Tigers, references towards bombs and lethal poison through a system, visually showing paper planes flying towards towers, I am confused as to how someone could not agree with how I view this song. The freedom of speech is widely and effectively abused.

Corrections in the Community free essay sample

A look at the role of the community in correctional institutes. This paper talks about how the role of corrections has changed since the 1960s. The focus is mainly on community-based corrections. The poverty programs of the 1960s which failed to win the war on poverty but made strong impressions on the Nation, are of particular importance for corrections. The ideology underlying those programs suggested that persons of minority origin and low socio-economic status systematically are denied access to higher status in American society. They are persistently over represented among those who experience mental and physical illness, educational failure, unemployment, and crime and delinquency. Programs that attacked such systematic exclusion from higher status used varied techniques. emphasis on cultural awareness attempted to promote dignity and pride among minority groups, inserted minority history into Americas records, and resulted in new group cohesion, political clout, and often militant reactions with newly discovered strength. We will write a custom essay sample on Corrections in the Community or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page