Homeschooling: Academics, Socialization and College Admissions Prospect

Homeschooling: Academics, Socialization and College Admissions Prospects Homeschooling is probably one of the least known and least understood issues in education. Many people tend to think that most homeschoolers are religious conservatives or extremists. However, the truth is that people from all walks of life are joining the homeschooling bandwagon (Ray, 2004). The main misconception is that homeschooled children don’t get the same academic and social education as traditionally schooled children. Contrary to popular perception, homeschooled children have the same, if not better academic opportunities, social opportunities and college admissions prospects than traditionally schooled students have. According to Mary Griffith, author of the book The Homeschooling Handbook, the concept of homeschooling is nothing new to society. It is only in the past 150 years that public school system as we know it came into effect (Griffith, 1999). Prior to that, â€Å"†¦the family was the basis for social life†¦the home was where children learned what was necessary to function in their community† (1999). By the mid-1970s, there were barely any people practicing homeschooling (Ray, 2004). However, over the past twenty years there has been a resurgence in people choosing homeschooling (2004). There has been a 500 percent increase in homeschooling from the 1990-1991 school year to the 2002-2003 school year (2004). The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) estimates â€Å"that between 1.7 and 2.1 million students were being homeschooled in the U.S., in every grade level from kindergarten through twelfth grade†¦Indications are that the growth rate is between 7 percent and 15 percent per year † (2004). People choose to homeschool for a var... ...s and traditional school graduates. Journal of College Admission, Spring 2004, p17. Klicka, Chris (2002) Socialization: homeschoolers are in the real world. Issue Analysis, Home School Legal Defense Association. Retrieved April 10, 2005 from www.hslda.org. Kochenderfer R, & Kanna E. (2002). Homeschooling for success: How parents can create a superior education for their child. New York NY: Warner Books. Ray, Brian D. Ph.D (2004). Worldwide guide to homeschooling: Facts and stats on the benefits of home school. Nashville TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Saba L., & Gattis J. (2002). The McGraw-Hill homeschooling companion. New York NY: McGraw-Hill Publishers. Zehr, Mary Ann. (2003). Home school students adjust to new homes on college campuses. Education Week, Vol. 23, Issue 2, p6. Retrieved April 22, 2005 from Academic Search Premier database.

Country Lovers: a Reader’s Response

Country Lovers, Nadine Gordimer TLC 25 November 2012 ? Nadine Gordimer dramatically depicts the theme of forbidden love in Country Lovers, but more than just the depth of this love, the forbidden relationship between races during the years of apartheid. Gordimer brings forward very early the fact of racial division, â€Å"the black children are making along with the bodily changes common to all, an easy transition to adult forms of address, beginning to call their old playmates missus and baasie little master†. Gordimer, 1975) This short story powerfully demonstrates the ever present desire for that which is taboo and the often very tragic end for all concerned in an overtly subjugated society, race notwithstanding. She sets the story in South Africa on the farm owned by the white Eysendeck Family, early in the childhood of their son Paalus and the young black girl, Thebedi.The vivid descriptions or Local Color are depictions of culture and landscape within this setting allow the author to depict the atmosphere that shaped the characters moral values of individuals in a particular region. (Clugston, 6. 4) The use of setting, in this case the time and place of the story also illustrates Milhauser’s opinion, â€Å"†¦ if you concentrate your attention on some apparently insignificant portion of the world, you will find, deep within it, nothing less than the world itself.The author also cleverly uses foreshadowing to allude to issues the characters may deal with, â€Å"The trouble was Paalus Eysendeck did not seem to realize Thebdi was now simply one of the crowd of farm children down at the kraal†. (Gordimer, 1975) The overwhelming sense of cultural taboo was evident throughout the story and was recognized by both characters in their need to be secretive in their meetings. The use of foreshadowing and setting strongly supported the themes in the story, allowing Gordimer to bring the reader closer to the heart to the story.Although Nadine Gordimer grew up in South Africa during the enforcement of apartheid and attempted throughout her years of writing to bring attention to the under privileged; she and many other writers did not have the ability or desire to discuss the unfortunate issues that generations of the often over-indulged and morally corrupt class also had to face, â€Å"I will try and carry on as best I can to hold my head up in the district. † (Gordimer, 1975) The characters throughout this story were strong and richly developed.Both Paalus and Thebedi were similarly portrayed as equally developing young people in the illustrations of their interactions with classmates and friends, an example being the gifts they exchanged on holidays and the joy they gained admiration of them. (Gordimer) Ms. Gordimer expertly executed the account of two young people that were lifelong friends and eventually secret lovers and the on pressures that society, class and race can have on those individuals.An incredible sense of despair is exposed in the passages discussing the issues faced by the characters, Thebedi and Paalus, both showed a feeling of loss of control of the situation when he stated, â€Å"I feel like killing myself†; she could not help but feel sadness for a man she likely still loved, â€Å"her eyes began to glow, to thicken with tears†. (Gordimer, 1975) This effort to bring the ominous mood to the reader is astonishingly effective. In the last portion of the story the dialogue of the main characters demonstrates the deliberate change in the characters.Paalus becomes very aware of the potentially catastrophic outcome of his and Thebedi’s indulgences. The shift in characterization was brilliantly executed with the seemingly formidable white man becoming the pariah in the district where his family was well respected. The conflict or struggle within both characters became what to do with the baby who was the product of forbidden love in an unaccepting society. Lastly, the reader is made aware of several shifts that have shift occurred. The first shift being for Paalus and the Eysendeck family by being lowered in status â€Å" left with his mother’s raincoat shielding his face from photographers†.The next obvious shift of the Judge in his statement in court actually raised Njabolu’s status, †by commending the honorable behavior of the husband†¦ and even provided clothes for the unfortunate infant out of his slender means. † (Gordimer, 1975) The final line of the story provides insight on the outcome by bringing to light the fact that the girl â€Å"in her own language stated that â€Å"it was a thing of our childhood and they don’t see each other anymore’’ The symbolic nature of this last line demonstrated the eventual movement forward of the young woman and her embracing her life as it was set in motion by time and society to be. REFERENCES: Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Milhauser, S. (2008). The Ambition of the Short Story. The New York Times. Retrieved from: http://www. nytimes. com/2008/10/05/books/review/Millhauser-t. html

MASLOW’S THEORY OF HUMAN NEEDS Essay

MASLOW’S THEORY OF HUMAN NEEDS Maslow’s theory of human needs focuses on the key foundation and the relations of human needs A need is a physiological or psychological deficiency that a person wants to satisfy In his theory, Maslow identified human needs and categorized them into 5 levels. These levels are physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs and self-actualization needs. It is Important for managers to know this theory because these needs cause tensions which can influence a person’s work attitude and behaviors Maslow’s theory is based on two underlying principles: Deficit principle which states that a satisfied need no longer motivates behavior because people act to satisfy deprived needs Progression principle that states that the five needs he identified exist in a hierarchy, which means that a need at any level can only be put into play after a lower-level need has been satisfied. Maslow identified five levels of human needs, starting from highest to lowest which are: Physiological needs: Physiological needs are basic human needs and biological necessities such food, water, shelter, air, sleep, etc. These needs are the strongest because the physiological needs come first in the person’s search for satisfaction. Ex: rest and refreshment breaks, physical comfort on the job, reasonable work hours Safety needs: Safety needs includes the need of security, protection, and stability in order to be free of the threat of physical and emotional harm. It is important to understand this need and for managers to provide a safe workplace. Ex: safe working conditions, job security, base compensation and benefits Social needs: Social needs are those related to interaction and belongingness with other people and include work groups, friends, family, love and affection, relationships, etc. People seek to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation and managers must understand this to ensure  employee involvement, production and motivation. Ex: friendly coworkers, interaction with customers, pleasant supervisors Esteem needs: Esteem needs are when people desire self-esteem from both themselves and by others too. Esteem needs include achievement, mastery, respect, competence, prestige, recognition, managerial responsibility, etc. Managers who understand this can help ensure employees and team members feel valued and respected which increases their self-esteem. Ex: responsibility of an important job, promotion to higher status job, praise and recognition from the boss Self-actualization needs: Self-actualization is a person’s need to reach their full capability. It is the highest need because it develops only after all of the foregoing needs are satisfied and includes realizing personal potential, personal growth, self-fulfillment, and creativity. As a manager, it is important to help employees or team members find this, so their employees will be satisfied and productive. Ex: creative and challenging work, participation in decision making, job flexibility and autonomy

Free Essays on Frankenstein And His Use Of Science!

Victor Frankenstein and His Use of Science Every spring there is a plethora of new animate beings. Creation is a yearly event for most animals. There are countless children born each day. All living beings procreate. Victor Frankenstein was a scientist, and the goal of science is to discover new information, and Victor Frankenstein was simply being a scientist and creating new information. When Victor Frankenstein created his monster, it could be compared to genetic engineering or cloning of today. Scientists are trying to re- create life from another exact life form through cloning. They are trying to make the creation of life better and humans that are better quality, without disease or deformity through genetic engineering. Since the beginning of time humans have been obsessed with the idea of where life comes from, and how it is created. Charles Darwin originated the idea of evolution. Another theory that is used to explain the origin of life is the big bang theory that states that life was created from a cosmic explosion. Yet another theory on the origination of life is the existence of God and that God created the earth and all of the life on earth. Victor Frankenstein is exactly like the scientists of today. Victor Frankenstein is trying to make a human being from other, deceased human beings, this could be compared to cloning today, making one creature from another. The possibility, or theory of genetic engineering can guarantee that humans would be without deformity, affliction or frailty. Victor Frankenstein may not have chosen parts for his monster, or human that were necessarily beautiful, but Victor Frankenstein tried to make his product as earthborn as possible. Victor Frankenstein was simply doing the same thing that scientists have always been trying to do. Victor Franke... Free Essays on Frankenstein And His Use Of Science! Free Essays on Frankenstein And His Use Of Science! Victor Frankenstein and His Use of Science Every spring there is a plethora of new animate beings. Creation is a yearly event for most animals. There are countless children born each day. All living beings procreate. Victor Frankenstein was a scientist, and the goal of science is to discover new information, and Victor Frankenstein was simply being a scientist and creating new information. When Victor Frankenstein created his monster, it could be compared to genetic engineering or cloning of today. Scientists are trying to re- create life from another exact life form through cloning. They are trying to make the creation of life better and humans that are better quality, without disease or deformity through genetic engineering. Since the beginning of time humans have been obsessed with the idea of where life comes from, and how it is created. Charles Darwin originated the idea of evolution. Another theory that is used to explain the origin of life is the big bang theory that states that life was created from a cosmic explosion. Yet another theory on the origination of life is the existence of God and that God created the earth and all of the life on earth. Victor Frankenstein is exactly like the scientists of today. Victor Frankenstein is trying to make a human being from other, deceased human beings, this could be compared to cloning today, making one creature from another. The possibility, or theory of genetic engineering can guarantee that humans would be without deformity, affliction or frailty. Victor Frankenstein may not have chosen parts for his monster, or human that were necessarily beautiful, but Victor Frankenstein tried to make his product as earthborn as possible. Victor Frankenstein was simply doing the same thing that scientists have always been trying to do. Victor Franke...

Coney Island Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Coney Island - Essay Example At the turning of the twentieth century, this culture was still in the first stage of formation and not fully incorporated within the society’s life (Kasson, 1978). Its fullest expression at this time lay in the main realm of commercial based amusements, which created essential symbols of the new cultural based order and helped to knit a complex cohesive audience. At the turn of the century, Coney Island was leading in establishment of symbols and their relationship to the new audiences. Some of the changes witnessed were governing of the Nineteenth-century America with some striking set of values and cultural aspects such as Victorian" compared to England Queen Victoria reigned. Interestingly, the urban-industrial society was facilitated with the genteel reformers who were eager to make a step in cultural leadership by disciplining, refining, and instructing the turbulent urban-industrial democracy within the people. The American apostles of culture put a lot of effort to ensure that they inculcate Victorian virtues of "character" such as self-control, moral integrity, industriousness, earnestness and soberness among the citizens. The American apostles believed that changing the culture of the urban-industrial society would help the men in passion to grow economically use leisure and work time efficiently. This was what the urban-based society required in order to grow economically, socially and culturally. Moreover, genteel culture occupying a position given that genteel reformers founded libraries, symphonies museums and other great institutions that help to set a cultural change that dominated public based discussion (Kasson, 1978). Of the critical importance to their success as cultural based arbiters was the ability to create a support of influential shapers of the great mass culture, who echoed their development tone and carried the message to audience. As a result, a series of technological based innovations were disseminated which

Critically Appraising the Business Case for Diversity Essay

Critically Appraising the Business Case for Diversity - Essay Example Managers should strive to fight off the fears that come with the policy of multiculturalism and should instead embrace the fact that the world is evolving and that no matter how diverse different communities are; we are all one and are united. Those managers who choose to go by the business case approach have no idea about the benefits that can be brought about by diversity. To enlightenment this point, diversity is discussed below. Managers are involved in many functions of an organization. These managerial functions are Controlling, Staffing, Planning, Directing and Organizing. With these functions, comes ethical responsibilities since the managers have to come up with clear expectations on how the employee should behave for the overall accountability, decision making and goal reaching in the organization. Consequently, organizations are impacted upon by laws and regulations of the area and country in which they are situated. Going against those laws leads to lawsuits and penalties . The linchpin to employee productivity according to a resent survey is employee engagement and ethical behaviour. These two aspects are built by the overall organizational culture. (Cummins, 1996) In general, managers deal with four main areas of an organization. These areas are employment, performance evaluation, restraint and termination of employment. These four areas influence the ethical issues in an organization because they deal with sincerity, justice and individual decorum. One of the major ethical issues that arise from the functions of a manager is diversity. (Pringle, 2006) Diversity means being different and unique in aspects that encompass race, customs, masculinity and femininity, sexuality, age, socio-economic status, physical abilities and inabilities, religion and political beliefs. It is an ethical issue because the manager ought to have the ability to look at these differences in a secure, optimistic and cultivating manner; being able to endure, embrace and commemorate the affluence in the diverse dimensions. They should also be in a position to help other employees embrace the concept of diversity. (Kirton, 2008) As a result of diversity, companies are faced with numerous issues and among them is the issue of harassment. The term harassment does not only mean sexual harassment. It is a broad term that encompasses all types of prejudice and behaviour considered as irksome, intimidating and distractive. It could be in the form of language, actions and menace and or negative remarks based on a person's diversity. (Cummins, 1996) Harassment can be of different categories not only sexual as most people would assume. However, sexual harassment is the most common type of harassment. Below are the types of harassment: Sexual Harassment, Race, Religion, National Origin harassment, Age harassment, Disability Status harassment, Sexual Orientation and Marital Status harassment, Gender Identification harassment, Political Beliefs harassment, Criminal History harassment, Occupation or Sources of Income harassment,