buy custom Changes in American Education essay

buy custom Changes in American Education essay Changes in social-cultural activities have necessitated policy makers to amend some educational policies. People are shifting from the rigid traditional models of schooling to flexible choice options. Since 1960, the federal government has contributed immensely to the development of education policies aimed at providing quality and competitive learning environment to its citizens. Among the policies that have been put in place is the state testing policies. The government developed and approved a new curriculum and mandated testing policies with the focus of examining the students regularly so as to determine whether they understand the subject matter (Pulliam Van, 1999). The students sit for exams which are later marked by their teachers. Marks are allocated and used to grade the students. Those who do not reach a certain average mark are forced to repeat that class. This has increased competition among students as each one aims at out-doing the other. Consequently performance rating has improved in many schools. Another policy is the No Child Left Behind legislation which has continued to put pressure on school administration to ensure that despite their background, all students are enrolled and performs well in their core subjects. I believe this policy had a major effect as it ensured children from poor families were able to access quality and affordable education. In 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, developed a variety of programs; among them was the federal aid to children from poor areas (Smith, 1990). This resulted to an increase in enrollment at the elementary schools. The aid was also extended to needy college students, who would otherwise, have dropped out of school due to lack of school fees. In 1980, the Department of Education was established; this had a major impact to the education system. The department operates programs that contribute positively to all areas of education. Their main aim is foster education excellence and ensures equal accessibility to learning. Over the past one year, the government has invested heavily in education both t elementary and higher learning levels. The student loan program was signed into law thus allowing direct students loan. The No Child Left Behind measures have continued to receive more funding to ensure all children receive excellent education in order for them to be competitive in the global market. Chapter 9: Globalization, Trends, and Gaining Perspective Millennials Go To College The book by Neil Howe and William Strauss discusses about Millennial Generation and their characteristics as they enter college. Millennial Generation is the generation born from 1982 to the present. The book discusses various cultural dynamics characterized by this generation and the general characteristics that can well describe this generational cohort as a whole. Unlike Generation X, which is the generation preceding Millennial Generation, the later seems optimistic. The generation is team-oriented and rule-followers. The generation has not only driven down teen pregnancies and abortion, but it has also led to declined suicide rates, violent crimes and drug use among youth. On the other hand, in comparison to Millenials Generation, Generation X did not value education. Millenials are presented as being the most ethnically diverse and also the busiest generation. Mr. Howe's delineations of generational differences will influence educators' practices in the classroom in various ways. First, the educators will have a great interest in this generation. This is because the generation seems to be more promising than the earlier generation. With the availability of advanced technology such as internet in this millennial generation, the educators will be able to carry out their duties effectively. Despite of its importance, the educators will have challenges from the internet since the Millenial generation will be liable to misuse the internet through social sites. Also, because of he influence of peer pressure among Millennials, teachers will face challenge when dealing with them. Chapter 10: Issues in Modern American Education In 1950s, racial discrimination in schools was the norm in United States. The black schools were inferior in comparison to the white schools. Brown tries to enroll his child Linda in a white elementary school but the principal could not allow him. Brown decides to challenge the segregation based in color in Public schools. I was interested in this case segregation is still a sensitive issue in many nations. There are segregation based on sex, color, tribe and so on. The segregation pervades other aspects of life which the inferior group is likely to undergo during life time. Segregation prevents students from achieving what they could have otherwise achieved. This case involved families of students attending public schools in New Hyde Park. According to the families, the voluntary prayers, which student recited during school opening, contradicted with their religious beliefs. I selected this case because the issue of religion in schools has contributed greatly to segregation. Some students may not join a certain school because of their religion. Also, on the ruling the case, it is interesting to note that the prayer was a government-written prayer which in my own opinion was wrong since the government should not be biased or favor any religion. Chapter 11: Globalization, Trends, and Gaining Perspective Impacts of Internet on Educational Instruction Today Due to advancement in technology, internet has become an important feture of learning in schools today. Students all over the world are using internet as a tool aiding them to study outside the classroom. Internet has helped students complete their projects through carrying out researches. Many students prefer using internet than libraries. What has interested me on the topic the topic is the question of cheating. Internet usage has some disadvantages, among the disadvantages is cheating. Cheating, by using someone else work renders the students not to be creative. Buy custom Changes in American Education essay

National Negro Council of Women

National Negro Council of Women   Overview Mary McLeod Bethune established the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) on December 5, 1935.   With the support of several African-American women’s organizations, the NCNW’s mission was to unify African-American women to improve race relations in the United States and abroad. Background Despite strides made by African-American artists and writers of the Harlem Renaissance, W.E.B. Du Bois’ vision of an end to racism was not during the 1920s. As Americans- especially African-Americanssuffered during the Great Depression, Bethune began to think that a unified group of organizations could lobby effectively for an end to segregation and discrimination. Activist Mary Church Terrell  suggested that Bethune form a council to help in these efforts. And the NCNW, â€Å"a national organization of national organizations† was established. With a vision of â€Å"Unity of Purpose and a Unity of Action,† Bethune efficiently organized a group of independent organizations to improve the lives of African-American women. The Great Depression: Finding Resources and Advocacy From the outset, NCNW officials focused on creating relationships with other organizations and federal agencies. NCNW began sponsoring educational programs. In 1938, the NCNW held the White House Conference on Governmental Cooperation in the Approach to the Problems of Negro Women and Children. Through this conference, the NCNW was able to lobby for more African-American women to hold upper-level government administrative positions. World War II: Desegregating the Military During World War II, the NCNW joined forces with other civil rights organizations such as the NAACP to lobby for the desegregation of the U.S. Army. The group also worked to help women internationally. In 1941, the NCNW became a member of the U.S. War Department’s Bureau of Public Relations. Working in the Women’s Interest Section, the organization campaigned for African-American to serve in the U.S. Army. The lobbying efforts paid off. Within one year, The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) began accepting African-American women where they were able to serve in the 688th Central Postal Battalion. During the 1940s, the NCNW also advocated for African-American workers to improve their skills for various employment opportunities. By launching several educational programs, NCNW helped African-Americans gain necessary skills for employment. The Civil Rights Movement In 1949, Dorothy Boulding Ferebee became the leader of the NCNW. Under Ferbee’s tutelage, the organization changed its focus to include promoting voter registration and education in the South. The NCNW also began using the legal system to help African-Americans overcome obstacles such as segregation. With a renewed focus on the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, the NCNW allowed white women and other women of color to become members of the organization. By 1957, Dorothy Irene Height became the organization’s fourth president. Height used her power to support the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, NCNW continued to lobby for women’s rights in the workplace, healthcare resources, prevention of racial discrimination in employment practices and providing federal aid for education. Post-Civil Rights Movement Following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, the NCNW once again changed its mission. The organization focused its efforts on helping African-American women overcome economic problems. In 1966, the NCNW became a tax-exempt organization that allowed them to mentor African-American women and promote the need for volunteers in communities across the country. The NCNW also focused on providing educational and employment opportunities for low-income African-American women. By the 1990s, the NCNW worked to end gang violence, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse in African-American communities.