State Education Standards (my state is Florida) Essay

State Education Standards (my state is Florida) - Essay Example The standards that have been mentioned in each of the documents are logical, realistic and attainable. For student achievement standards the bureau of student development has provided a thorough analysis of the standard. The best part that makes the state department’s claim commendable is the practicality of the standards it expects of its students. A detail report in the stream of Language Art shows how scientifically and strategically the standards are fixed for each grade. Specific requirements of standard for each grade are mentioned like â€Å"Grades 11-12: Reading----Standards/Benchmark†. As the document is in the form of a table based on class grades one can easily navigate through it. Standards seem to be listed as objectives though it is not mentioned specifically. The performance standard of teachers is mentioned in detail. Florida stresses on recruitment of teachers with the skill and resource of teaching non-English speaking students. The requirements in terms of teaching standard are described distinctly especially for ESOL teachers. The document is presented in point form and the objectives are mentioned in specific terms. As there are no sub-headings and as the analysis is content based navigation becomes a little cumbersome to reach a specific detail. The document of the national standards of education of the state of Florida is comprehensive and inclusive of all the different departments of education. It provides a concise but complete view of the standards fixed for each of the different branches. The document presents the content in a very systematic pattern in bullet points with headings and sub-headings for each point. Adopting this technical approach has not only made the document to the point but has also made it easy for one to navigate through it for related points or links. There are no specifications of the standards being regarded as objectives but it seems so in

The relationship between poor European Americans, poor free Essay

The relationship between poor European Americans, poor free whites,African Americans and the Native Americans during the early colonial period - Essay Example The poor European Americans also interacted with Native Americans during that period. With regard to the early colonial period, this paper will discuss the relationship between poor European Americans and both African Americans and Native Americans. Although the first African Americans in Virginia are considered by some historians to have been equal servants with their White indentured counterparts, they were treated and perceived differently. Some African Americans had earlier on been treated in the same manner as European American indentured servants, albeit with limited terms of indentures, but racial differences soon changed the situation. The indentured servant system created disorder, making racial slavery more attractive to slaveholders (Morgan 32). Essentially, these made African Americans a permanent and dependent source of labor, often seen as people set racially apart while European American indentured servants earned freedom after several years. It follows, therefore, that under such circumstances the European American slaves also viewed themselves as superior to African Americans. The slave owners developed crude systems to maintain their hold on the African American slaves because they were thought to have agricul tural skills. In a human society, it was inevitable for the European Americans to develop awareness of racism, which negatively impacted their relationship with the African Americans. The two populations were both slaves, but their relationship was further strained by the fact that African Americans had been isolated from their culture and plunged into a new and strange heritage of family relations, language and customs. Here, personal responsibility can be said to have shaped the relationship between the two populations, as African Americans were weighed down by their new and mostly involuntary statuses. Compared to African Americans, Native Americans were considered stronger. The

The way police use racial profiling is a big societal problem to how Essay

The way police use racial profiling is a big societal problem to how justice is administered - Essay Example What is even more interesting is the phenomenon related with giving jobs and amenities to a certain race or segment within the society, and this is in direct opposition to how normalcy can be understood within the domains of a society. The racial profiling measures, if undertaken by the police within a society bank on doing away with the norms that thus exist, however this is hardly the case (Greenleaf, 2007). It is important to define what racial profiling in entirety is. It is the employment of an individual’s race or ethnicity realms with the help of the law enforcement agencies or police and is indeed a vital element within the arrest of a person or to leave him as he is. The racial profiling decides if a particular individual is hailing from a distinct race or ethnicity and then to treat him in the same light. This is biased and deals with a lot of hatred for a singular race or ethnic division within the society. These decisions, when undertaken by the law enforcement age ncies and institutions or police become controversial because when one takes into consideration the element of race and ethnicity, the matter does not remain partial at all. In some countries of the world, this is contemplated as an illegal action, which many believe is a step in the right direction. The evidence that is available for the racial profiling regimes is such that it is an ineffective and futile strategy and should always be kept at a safe distance from the discussions which center on the premise of racial profiling. When one thinks of the society as a whole, the racial profiling discussions come out in the open. This is because racial profiling does not give significance to how things are dealt with, in a balanced way. The element of being partial goes out of the window, and thus this is such a nuisance that it hurts the cause of the society more than anything else. What can be done best is to keep away from the shores of racial profiling so that success amongst the jus tice domains is achieved without any hindrance whatsoever (Paxton, 2009). Therefore, there is a dire need to understand the nuances that revolve around the racial profiling debates, and much consideration should be paid towards removing the negativities that surround the systems which engulf the society in more ways than one. Justice is a much desired entity within any society of the world for quite obvious reasons. It is something that paves the way for the growth and development realms within a society and is always welcomed with a sense of purpose and achievement at the end. Justice is always appreciated by the people of the society as they know that the offenders would be taken to task, and their negative intent would be dealt with in a stern way. Peace within any society of the world could be best achieved if the offenders know that if they commit an act which is against the dictum of humanity and sanity, they would be held accountable for the same, and their acts will be banis hed in the strongest possible manner (Crystal, 2010). The deterrent to the justice debates is such an important element that one can think of the racial profiling to be totally against the very idea. The changing scenarios must therefore be understood from the angle of racial profiling as this is significant in the time and age of today. The causes for the racial pr

MIDDLE RANGE NURSING THEORY Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MIDDLE RANGE NURSING THEORY - Research Paper Example In the same way, it is necessary for nurses to understand the different concepts of nursing strategies and various psychological and philosophical aspects of quality nursing care. Theoretical frameworks including middle range theories clearly define the nursing standards for the modern world. This paper will provide an overview of the concept and evolution of Middle Range Theories of Nursing and their applicability in today’s healthcare scenario. Concepts: Origin and Development Middle range theories are precise and moderate, and possess limited number of variables; hence, they effectively define nursing care standards. To be specific, middle range theories can be effectively applied in the field of nursing research and practice as their practicality can be directly tested. To define, â€Å"mid-range theories stand midway between the all encompassing global grand theories that address the entire discipline and hypotheses and theories that are very specific to a particular phe nomenon or population† (Lenz, 2006, n.p). As compared to grand theories, Middle range theories are more concrete and narrow. To illustrate, they are written relatively at specific level with limited number of propositions and ideas. Theory of Human Caring (Watson), Theory of Interpersonal Relations (Peplau), and Theory of the Deliberative Nursing Process (Orlando) are some of the well known middle range nursing theories. With regard to the progress of middle range theories, they are based on the results derived from practice and research that can provide clear direction for casual practice and intellectual practice in the discipline further. The past century witnessed a notable level of progress in the middle range theories. Except a few, most of the middle-range theories have come directly from clinicians’ experience. The middle-range theory helps to mark certain condition of the related signs and future approach for symptom management in caring patients. The theory al so emphasis on the result of various expressions or conditions with regard to the patient’s performance, and encourages the clear evaluation of patient’s working outcomes. Lieher and Smith (1999), has listed â€Å"the relationship between the intellectual process and the source of content related to the development of middle-range theories†; they include â€Å"Inductive theory-building theory through practice, Deductive theory. Building from grand nursing theories, Combining existing nursing and non-nursing theories, and Developing theories from clinical practice guidelines â€Å" (Source: Approaches for generating middle range theory. Para. 1. As cited Peterson & Bredow, 2009, in p. 31). Middle range theories are of mainly three types; Middle-range descriptive theories, Middle-range predictive theories, and Middle-range explanatory theories. These variations could be analyzed on the basis of their characteristics and with most relevant examples. Among these, Middle-range descriptive theories usually encompass only a single main concept to classify a phenomenon. While doing so, it simply lists the generalities observed in individuals and groups, and these theories are normally tested by means of descriptive research. The interpersonal Relations (Peplau, 1952) is an example of a middle-range descriptive theory. Peplau’s theory focused on the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient, which is termed as the Nurse-Client Relationship. In contrast, Middle-range expl

Sense of purpose and achieving happiness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sense of purpose and achieving happiness - Essay Example We are endlessly searching to find happiness within the bounds of what is tangible and existent around us,oftentimes limiting ourselves within the confines of material gains, wealth and luxury How we define happiness is contingent with our very own beliefs, values, philosophy, ideals, achievement, preferences and the world around us. Some people associate happiness with the word "contentment," in belief that one can only find true happiness if he is complacent and self-satisfied of who he is and what he have gained. We relentlessly pursuit happiness - in as simple as purchasing a classic novel to pursuing a career in law may all be our goal to attain joy, contentment and thus, happiness in life. As we achieve our primary goals and sufficiently feed ourselves with basic needs and desires, we tend to aim more, work more and achieve the greater good that will ultimately bring satisfaction and pleasant state of consciousness. And on the course of finding happiness, we then realize the th ings that will truly make us happy lies not on luxury but on a deeper sense of purpose for ourselves. We tend to explore more on the other side and look for something that will make our lives worth living. There will come to a point that our views about happiness may change and that we are compelled to create a purpose other that achieving the feeling of happiness. In her online article entitled, Is Happiness Overrated?, Wang explained that "people who focus on living with a sense of purpose as they age are more likely to remain cognitively intact, have better mental health and even live longer than people who focus on achieving feelings of happiness." It apparently suggests that happiness is not limited to extrinsic rewards such as money, work incentives and the like, rather it connotes a deeper sense of achievement and of self-satisfaction way beyond of what we can see and touch. The same idea revolves around a theory of what Aristotle called "eudaimonia." Although this is mistran slated and used interchangeably as happiness, Aristotle interpreted it as a virtue of good spirit, personal well-being as the chief goal of men. He discusses a more robust concept of happiness that is something we can obtain from the inside and not from the outside. It constitutes not only the subjective state of doing and feeling well, but it also corresponds to the idea of being loved and virtuous. His principle helped us establish two distinct characteristics of personality with differing perspectives on the concept of happiness. "Eudaimonic well-being" parallels with people who are living with a sense of purpose - those who would rather opt to go on volunteering, providing elderly care or pursuing further studies that will give a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment (Wang, "Is Happiness Overrated?"). In contrary, the "hedonic well-being" coincides with people who focus on achieving feelings of joy and happiness. These people tend to seek short-term and momentary happiness thr ough status and material gain - purchasing a large LCD flat screen television or driving the latest sports car in town. However, Wang noted that for over the past five to 10 years, psychologists have investigated the unique effects on physical and psychological health of eudaimonic versus hedonic types of happiness. In fact, researchers say that "too much focus on feeling happy can actually lead to feeling less happy" (Wang, â€Å"Is Happiness Overrated†). The conclusion implies the paradox of intentionally searching for happiness and the feeling of being entertained, pleased or elated can eventually stresses you out. This may leave us frustrated if we are not able to realize our goals and meet expectations we have set for ourselves. Moreover, in a study conducted by Alzheimer's Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, they found out that "those reporting a lesser sense of purpose in life were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease compar ed with those reporting

Describe at least 5 scenes of the movie Rossie the Riveter Review - 1

Describe at least 5 scenes of the Rossie the Riveter - Movie Review Example Howard Miller. The Rockwell image seems to have a great deal more depth than the image created by Miller. It was proposed that this is not the tidy image that most people have in their mind when they think of Rosie. This ‘Rosie’ is quite dirty, with big strong arms, a leather bracelet, she wears overalls which are not common on women at this time, she carries a big riveting gun, se is wearing both welding goggles and a welding mask, she is defiantly standing on a copy of ‘Mein Kampf’ and she is hauling a metal lunchbox (Popular with men). However what is interesting is that this image that is considered masculine can also be considered quite feminine, because she is wearing makeup (Rouge, finger nail polish, lipstick etc.) and she is carrying her makeup and a handkerchief in her pocket, this ‘Rosie’ has her hair neatly pulled back, she is wearing women’s shoes, and she is eating a sandwich in a delicate manner. But what is most important from this image is that she is a worker, evidenced by her many badges (Security badge, blood donor badge etc.) Indicating that she really is an important part of the war effort. The next scene that will be discussed is in relation to determining who the ‘real’ Rosie the Riveters are. Many people have noted that there are indeed many actual World War II women that were real female defense workers named ‘Rosie’. The big changes that brought them into war work occurred in 1942 when more American men began to get drafted and many industries switched to war production. It was at this time that many companies started to recruit women as it was not possible for them to be drafted. What comes next is a description of the three main groups of women that were recruited to work in factories. The first were women already working who switched to higher paying defense jobs (Leaving traditional jobs to the point that more than six hundred laundries were closed). The

Daoism and Confucianism Essay Example for Free

Daoism and Confucianism Essay Daoism and Confucianism are two of China’s oldest and most pervasive philosophies. They arose during the same period in Chinese history, called the Hundred Schools of Thought, a time often marred by unrest and feudal strife. Both philosophies reflect this, as their overarching goals are to seek order and harmony in one’s life, relationship with society, and the universe. Confucianism is a philosophy originated by the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, which teaches that logic and reason can solve all human problems, and rejects excessive emotion and superstition. Confucianism also teaches that following the traditions of early Chinese culture is the best way to organize society. Traditional ritual, music and poetry are also seen as important tools in maintaining societal harmony. Confucius was concerned with matters of human relationships. His philosophy inspires scholars to take up civil service with the goal of building a society based upon their discernment of good and bad and to desire that which is judged to be good. The way of Confucius is to forge a moral society protected from the world. The main source of Confucian teaching is the Analects of Confucius. Daoism on the other hand was started by Lao Tzu, and is mainly concerned with living a balanced life based on following Nature. Lau Tzu saw the natural world as a sort of teacher which could impart wisdom to mankind if we only observed it and modeled our lives on what we see in nature. Extremes are to be avoided, passivity is encouraged over force, going with the flow of things and avoiding conflict is the goal. Lao Tzu rejects worldly concerns, limited knowledge and flawed judgments as creating an imbalance in the nature of things. The way of Lao Tzu is to allow man and nature to come into a harmonic coexistence. So, to boil it all down to one point, Taoism is all about mans relationship with nature, while Confucianism is about mans relationship with his fellow man. Confucianism was created in the early fourth century B. C. E. The founder of Confucianism was Kong Qiu (Kung Chiu), who was born around 552 B. C. E. in the small state of Lu and died in 479 B. C. E. The Latinized name Confucius, based on the honorific title Kong Fuzi (Kung Fu-tzu), was created by 16th-century Jesuit missionaries in China. Confucius was a teacher to sons of the nobility at a time when formal education was just beginning in China. He traveled from region to region with a small group of disciples, and believed that his philosophy could transform individuals and society into a more harmonious unit. Confucius was not particularly famous during his lifetime, and even considered himself to be a failure. He longed to be the advisor to a powerful ruler, and he believed that such a ruler, with the right advice, could bring about an ideal world. Confucius said heaven and the afterlife were beyond human capacity to understand, and one should therefore concentrate instead on doing the right thing in this life. The earliest records from his students indicate that he did not provide many moral precepts; rather he taught an attitude toward ones fellow humans of respect, particularly respect for ones parents, teachers, and elders. He also encouraged his students to learn from everyone they encountered and to honor others cultural norms. Later, his teachings would be translated by authoritarian political philosophers into strict guidelines, and for much of Chinese history Confucianism would be associated with an immutable hierarchy of authority and unquestioning obedience. Confucius’s teachings were carried on and promoted by his disciple Mencius, and, later, by Hsun-Tzu, who lived from about 300 to 235 B. C. E. E. A rationalist form of Neo-Confucianism, an outgrowth of Confucianism, began to gain popularity through the teachings of Chu Hsi, who lived from 1033 to 1107 CE. A more socially oriented Neo-Confucianism became popular through the teachings of Wang Yang-Ming, who lived from 1472 to 1529 C. E. The Analects is a collection of principles enunciated by the Chinese thinker Confucius in conversations with his disciples. Similar to Proverbs in the Old Testament, the analects depend heavily on analogy and metaphor. They stress the importance not of rules per se, but of ethics, that guide behavior. Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. He also stressed the need for ritual and music. These principles set standards for individual conduct and the administration of government and community. After Confucius died in 479 B. C. E. , his followers compiled his teachings in the form of dialogues between him and his students. The resulting collection highly influenced educational, social, and cultural thought in China and elsewhere. Running through the teachings of Confucius is this theme: A man should lead an upright life, educate himself, and contribute to the betterment of society. The superior man, he says, respects elders, cultivates the friendship of good people, presides over his subordinates with a fair and even hand, continually educates himself, overflows with love for fellow human beings, and in general sets a good example for others to follow. The Analects are terse and usually easy to understand. Many of these passages, though presented in the form of conversation, are epigrams that stand alone as wise and memorable admonitions. The statements make frequent use of parallel structure and antithesis. Some say Confucianism is not a religion, since there are no Confucian deities and no teachings about the afterlife. Confucius himself was a staunch supporter of ritual, however, for many centuries there were state rituals associated with Confucianism. Most importantly, the Confucian tradition was instrumental in shaping Chinese social relationships and moral thought. Thus even without deities and a vision of salvation, Confucianism plays much the same role as religion does in other cultural contexts. Confucianism is a socio-philosophical system aimed at bettering individuals and society. Its primary goals were to educate people to be self-motivated and self-controlled, and to enable people to assume their responsibilities, which would, in turn, cultivate a better self and a harmonious society. Confucius believed that lawlessness and social problems stemmed from the combination of unenlightened individuals and a social structure without norms. Confucius believed in the Great Ultimate (Tao), which manifests itself in the I, or change. Tao is the cause of I, and generates Yang (energy) and Yin (a passive form). Together, Yin and Yang are seen as complementary symbols of the energy and tension in a system of counter forces. Tao, or the Great Ultimate, is the first-cause of the universe, a force that flows through all life, but is not a personal being. Ultimately, we are here to discover our real self, which is the nature of Tao. Humans are thought to be inherently good. Through self-discipline, a human is able to move in accordance to Tao and thus will enjoy the principle of change. In a practical sense, we are here to better ourselves and society. This is done through education and enlightenment. Daoism was created in China in the Late 4th century B. C. E. Daoism was founded by Li Erh (better known as Lao Tzu), or â€Å"Old Master†, in the sixth century B. C. E. Lao Tzu was the keeper of the imperial library and the author of Tao Te Ching, or the Book of Dao and Virtue. The specific date of birth of Lao Tzu is unknown. Legends vary, but scholars’ place his birth between 600 and 300 B. C. E. Lao Tzu’s wise counsel attracted followers, but he refused to set his ideas down in writing. He believed that written words might solidify into formal dogma. Lao Tzu wanted his philosophy to remain a natural way to live life with goodness, serenity and respect. Lao Tzu laid down no rigid code of behavior. He believed a person’s conduct should be governed by instinct and conscience. Lao Tzu believed that human life, like everything else in the universe, is constantly influenced by outside forces. He believed â€Å"simplicity† to be the key to truth and freedom. Lao Tzu encouraged his followers to observe, and seek to understand the laws of nature; to develop intuition and build up personal power; and to use that power to lead life with love, and without force. Legend says that in the end Lao Tzu, saddened by the evil of men, set off into the desert on a water buffalo leaving civilization behind. When he arrived at the final gate at the great wall protecting the kingdom, the gatekeeper persuaded him to record the principles of his philosophy for posterity. The result was the eighty-one sayings of the â€Å"Tao Te Ching. † The Tao Te Ching was written in China roughly 2,500 years ago at about the same time when Buddha expounded the Dharma in India and Pythagoras taught in Greece. The Tao Te Ching is probably the most influential Chinese book of all times. Its 81 chapters have been translated into English more times than any other Chinese document, and it provides the basis for the philosophical school of Daoism, which is an important pillar of Chinese thought. In Tao Te Ching, it never specifically defines The Way. It’s a series of verses, poems, and riddles. It emphasizes control but not dominance, fluidity but not ambivalence, and mystery but not confusion. Dao is analogous to God, but Dao is not a being. Rather, Dao is the source of all and the ultimate reality, and Dao is the cause of all change in life. Dao permeates the universe and is the principle behind all that is. Dao can only be experienced through mystical ecstasy. Daoists seek transformation of their self and body into a cosmic, Dao-focused entity. This is achieved through ritual and meditation. Daoism teaches that there is one undivided truth at the root of all things. Daoism is the organized, indigenous religion of China. From a philosophical standpoint Daoism focuses on Dao, or way, and deals with ideas about naturalness, ease, non-action etc. Physically, Daoism focuses on health through concepts like Qigong and Taiji quan, which involve deep breathing, slow, graceful motions and gentle stretching. From a religious standpoint, Daoism is reflected in many areas, including a social and political vision, rituals, a hierarchical priesthood, talismans and exorcisms. Other Daoism practices include advanced spiritual meditation and mystic, ecstatic soul travel. The universe is hierarchically organized in such a way that its entirety is reproduced in its individual parts. Thus, man is a microcosm within the macrocosm (small universe within a larger one). Man’s parts correspond to parts of the universe and nature. All is from the Dao, and all will return to the Dao. Daoism was created to reunite with Dao through the transformation from disharmony to harmony. Disharmony causes a destructive or waning cycle of the Five Elements (metal, wood, earth, water and fire). This cycle consists of metal destroying wood (wood is cut by a metal ax); wood dominating earth through its roots (domination through power); earth mastering water and preventing floods (anti-nature forces); water destroying fire (pollution is caused by anti-nature, and destroys the beauty of the world); fire melts metal (causing pollution). Through personal and social transformation, humans can convert the destructive cycle of the Five Elements into a creative or constructive cycle of the Five Elements. Metal in the earth nourishes underground water (purification); water is the source of life for vegetation, including wood (nourishment); wood is the fuel for fire, which causes ashes, which then form earth (natural recycling). The formation of metal in earth completes the cycle. Daoism has a very recognizable symbol. It is the Yin-Yang, a circle divided in two equal parts of dark/black (Yin) and light/white (Yang). Within the dark, there is a circle of light, and within the light, there is a circle of dark. The two parts are equal because they signify the balance in the world caused by the Yin and Yang forces in all things. Each has a circle of the other to symbolize that each contains elements of the other, and that each cannot exist without the other. Sometimes, the Yin-Yang symbol will be surrounded with trigrams, or sets of three lines with breaks in various positions. Each trigram stands for a certain principle in Daoism.