The Origin and Development of Charter School Initiative - 3025 Words

The Origin and Development of Charter School Initiative (Research Paper Sample) Content: NameProfessorCourseDateCharter SchoolsThe charter school movement has faced many controversies. Since their debut in the United States, charter school initiative has aided in developing and further elevating the education quality and access for many students. However, these schools of choice are perceived as a threat to the autonomy of the education sector and the stakeholders involved. Charter schools are publicly funded schools which are granted more autonomy over curriculum choices, compared to traditional public k-12 schools (Gawlik 784). Introduced in 1992, the City Academy Charter School in St. Paul Minnesota, became the first of its kind to operate in the United States and admitted 35 inner-city high school dropouts (Murphy et al. 5).The charter movement was then created to push for the adoption of a more efficient education program, its effort supported by the claimed success of the new charter school initiative. Moreover, the traditional k-12 schools educatio nal establishment was seen to be in crisis and plagued with unresponsive bureaucracy. The aim was to make the schools innovative and diminish the direct control by the local school board; consequently, making them more responsive to the needs of the clients. The movement has spread today, with more than 6,800 charted public schools registered in the 2015-2016 school year, and an estimated 2.9 million students enrolled in them (Murphy et al. 5).The debate over charter schools has been influenced by subjective ideologies, and the effect the reforms have had on the students or the progress of the education sector. Notably, some assessments tend to give biased reviews that rarely have an impact on reducing of the gap in education knowledge. This paper seeks to clarify the position of charter schools in society by tracking their progress objectively through the last two decades to their current state. Factors that contributed to the development and progress will be addressed, in conjunct ion with significant policies and key figures that influenced the growth of charter schools in the United States of America. Contributions made by charter schools in the American education will also be assessed, and consequently take a stand on the debate regarding the necessity and contribution of charter schools in the country.The Origin and Development of Charter School InitiativeCharter school initiatives arose from the educational reforms of the1980s and 1990s through the mandate of the states to improve instruction, and restructure the schools to serve fundamental roles in society (Murphy et al. 5). A debate on the low education quality being offered in the capitalist-democratic state served as a significant contributor to the emergence of charter schools. The new notion of charter schools and the high expectations people had on the new education program exposed the widespread problems in American public schools, both actual and fabricated claims, with the charter school initi ative generated to address these deficiencies. Earlier initiatives with almost similar patterns had however failed to take root, allowing the reformists to build on them and device a new model (Murphy et al. 8).Three earlier models, in particular, contributed to the development of the charter schools as an attempt to alter the bureaucratic delivery of education in America. The first of these is the innovative schools model created through the input and collaboration of the teacher, parents and the community, allowing the teacher to implement adaptive learning depending on unique demographic educational needs. The second empowerment model was the magnet school, which emerged in the mid-1970s. The model targeted school districts providing significant additional funds to the specified schools, serving as incentives to start specialized instructional methods or themes and attract parents and students (Orfield 3). Unlike in the innovative school model, initiatives in magnet schools were solely conducted by the school district administrators meaning very little input if any was received from the parents or the community (Perez 48). The third model designed by school districts was the alternative schools, tailored to serve targeted populations that were underrepresented within their zoned schools.Literature and response on the three previous models provided the basics for the creation of charter schools, with other key elements added to make it better than the other forms of nontraditional education. Ray Budde is credited with coining the term charter, which was later introduced into the American vernacular in the late 1980s by Al Shanker. At the time, he was the head of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Through education by Charter, Ray Budde defined a model of improving instruction in schools through the restructuring of school districts and by changing the school organization. The prototype described by Ray Budde consisted of a written charter that addres sed concerns between the school districts and the teachers with the aim of establishing innovative instructional programs. The educational contracts provided autonomy to the teachers, giving them the authority to explore and develop new ways of teaching and educating the children through the aid of public funds and minimal state intervention (Kretchmar 750). The instructional programs emerging from these contracts were expected to serve as the basis for restructuring the school districts.Ray Buddes education by charter proposal was built on four logic dynamics. One aspect was the complete redefinition of the roles of the teachers and administrators in schools, giving them more responsibilities in their duties. The operations of the school board changed in this new model. The third aspect of it was the provision of continuing curriculum renewal and improvements to cater for new trends and needs of the students, to ensure all emergent details are contained in the teaching package and production of an all-rounded student (Murphy et al. 7). Additionally, the proposed education pattern called for cooperation amongst all parties involved in the education sector to identify the knowledge base of the new school curriculum. Under this system, teachers were the central players, with the principal, curriculum director, or a superintendent being an active participant of the charter team provided they regularly taught on their respective fields (Huerta 245). The parents and the community then joined the teachers to form a discussion group at the initial phase of educational charter development. However, unlike the case today, the parents and community served as mere advisors to the system, without having any tangible decision making power in the Budde charter school model.Buddes idea, in existence since 1975, was introduced to the world by Albert Shanker in March 1988, describing the idea during a National Press Club speech. On July the same year, theAFT held a convention, the 70th since its inception, overwhelmingly endorsing the ideology; consequently increasing the attention the topic had generated. The teacher-driven charter shool model provided the answer to the ailing public school status in the country and could further the aims of the second reform movement. Essentially, the model targeted the 80% student population not adequately catered for by the traditional schooling system. With the key characteristics of the movementtrusted in the professional experience and supported by teachers, Shanker believed that the charter schools would provide a mechanism of policy that regularly focused on making innovation an ongoing and integral part of the school community.Shanker and the American Federation of Teachers saw a means of circumventing the education system, which at the time seemed impervious to change. Frustrated educators quickly advocated for the system, regardless of its immaturity as it appeared as the only answer to rectifying the deterio rating state of public learning institutions, and gaining further support due to success of similar program in other regions like Australia. A program was likened to task force groups in private companies established to spearhead sale and monitoring of new product lines or services. District joint school board union panels were established to assist in overcoming hurdles in implementing the new system, as Shanker extended Buddes ideology of charter academic departments and program to cater to entire schools.Elements of the Charter School MovementThe charter school movement started as an alternative approach for a small group of people unimpressed by the state of the public schools, creating a process to facilitate broader reforms in the public education sector. Over the years, the movement has matured from a small group to a major force in the educational reform (Karanovich 208). The charter school movement consisted of various institutions aimed at improving public education, and a lso pushed for reduced government control over the operations of public schools.The institutions promoted adaptive teaching strategies that allowed teachers and other stakeholders to be directly involved in learning to sustain the progress of the schools. The measure served as a great idea for the development of all individuals involved in the public education sector, as many believed the government was the cause of a majority of the problems encountered in the schools (Oxley 524). It was, therefore, possible for reforms to take place, with the only means of salvaging the education standards being the elimination of the governments direct influence on decisions made in the learning institutions.The charter school movement was developed through prior knowledge obtained from previous reforms, with five strands forming the elementary components of the system. The school choice was the ideal resource that led to the construction of the ...

The Capitol Building A Part Of The American Public

The Capitol Building is one of the most iconic building in the United States of America. Along with holding Congress, the Capitol Building stands as a poster child for democracy. The building plays an integral role in the American public as a whole. From being a piece of symbolism, to having the public design it, the Capitol Building has been a part of the American public since the beginning. The Capitol Building in Washington D.C. has been an integral part of the American public since is design conception 1792. In 1790 George Washington set aside land for the capital, and hired a Frenchman named Pierre Charles L’Enfant to survey to land and design the Capitol Building. L’Enfant refused to design the building, not wanting to have his†¦show more content†¦The design consisted of a center section with a low dome and two wings on either side, and was commended by President Washington for its, â€Å"grandeur, simplicity, and convenience.† [Architects of the Capitol] This process of how the Capitol Building was designed exemplifies how it is engraved in America’s public, as the building is designed by a citizen similar to you or I. The U.S. Capitol building also symbolizes tenacity and hard work, with it’s many trials through the construction process. These trials began immediately in the building process, as two of the three origina l architects were dismissed â€Å"because of inappropriate design changes they tried to impose;†, according to Architects of the Capitol. Construction continued under James Hoban, who saw through the first phase of construction. The work itself was challenging, as the building had inadequate funding, and the materials used often required long travel to reach the build site. In 1803, Congress allocated more funds to build, and Benjamin Latrobe was hired as lead architect, who, according to Architects of the Capitol, was â€Å"The first professional architect and engineer to work in America,†. Latrobe saw through construction of the U.S. Capitol Building, as well as renovation of Dr. Thorton’s design. Latrobe did this until 1813, when lack of funding and work forced him to leave.

Yellowfin Tuna Facts (Thunnus albacares)

The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a large, swift fish that is known for its beautiful colors, graceful motion, and use in cooking as ahi and Hawaiian poke. The species name albacares means white meat. While the yellowfin tuna is the albacore tuna in France and Portugal, albacore is the name given to the longfin tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in other countries. Fast Facts: Yellowfin Tuna Scientific Name: Thunnus albacaresCommon Names: Yellowfin tuna, ahiBasic Animal Group: FishSize: 6 feetWeight: 400 poundsLifespan: 8 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: Worldwide in temperature and tropical waters (except the Mediterranean)Population: DecliningConservation Status: Near Threatened Description The yellowfin tuna gets its name for its yellow sickle-shaped tail, dorsal and anal fins, and finlets. The torpedo-shaped fish may be dark blue, black, or green on top with a silver or yellow belly. Broken vertical lines and a golden stripe on the side distinguish the yellowfin from other species of tuna. The yellowfin is a large tuna. Adults may reach 6 feet in length and weigh 400 pounds. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) record for a yellowfin is 388 pounds for a fish caught off Baja California in Mexico, but there is a pending claim for a 425-pound catch, also caught off Baja. The yellowfin tuna has a sickle-shaped yellow tail and yellow finlets. Tigeryan / Getty Images Habitat and Range Yellowfin tuna live in all tropical and subtropical oceans except for the Mediterranean. They are usually found in water ranging from 59 ° to 88 ° F. The species is epipelagic, preferring deep offshore water above the thermocline in the top 330 feet of the sea. However, the fish can dive to depths of at least 3800 feet. Yellowfin tuna are migratory fish that travel in schools. Movement depends on water temperature and food availability. The fish travel with other animals of a similar size, including manta rays, dolphins, skipjack tuna, whale sharks, and whales. They commonly aggregate under flotsam or moving vessels. Diet and Behavior Yellowfin fry are zooplankton that feed on other zooplankton. As they grow, the fish eat food whenever it is available, only swimming more slowly when satiated. Adults feed on other fish (including other tuna), squid, and crustaceans. Tuna hunt by sight, so they tend to feed during daylight hours. Yellowfin tuna can swim up to 50 miles per hour, so they can capture fast-moving prey. The yellowfin tunas speed is due partly to its body shape, but mainly because yellowfin tuna (unlike most fish) are warm-blooded. In fact, a tunas metabolism is so high the fish must constantly swim forward with its mouth open to maintain sufficient oxygenation. While fry and juvenile tuna are preyed upon by most predators, adults are sufficiently large and quick to escape most predators. Adults may be eaten by marlin, toothed whales, mako sharks, and great white sharks. Reproduction and Offspring Yellowfin tuna spawn throughout the year, but peak spawning occurs during the summer months. After mating, the fish release eggs and sperm into the surface water simultaneously for external fertilization. A female can spawn almost daily, releasing millions of eggs each time and up to ten million eggs per season. However, very few fertilized eggs reach maturity. Newly-hatched fry are nearly-microscopic zooplankton. Those that arent eaten by other animals grow quickly and reach maturity within two to three years. A yellowfin tunas life expectancy is about 8 years. Conservation Status The IUCN classified the conservation status of the yellowfin tuna as near threatened, with a declining population. The survival of the species is important to the oceanic food chain because the yellowfin is a top predator. While its impossible to measure the number of yellowfin tuna directly, researchers have recorded significant drops in catch sizes that indicate diminished population. Fishery sustainability varies dramatically from one location to another, however, so the fish is not threatened throughout its entire range. Overfishing is most significant in the Eastern Pacific and Indian Ocean. Overfishing is the main threat to this species survival, but there are other problems. Other risks include plastic pollution in the oceans, increasing predation of young, and decreasing availability of prey. Yellow Fin Tuna and Humans Yellowfin is highly valued for sport fishing and commercial fishing. It is the primary species of tuna used for canning in the United States. Most commercial fisheries use the purse seine method of fishing in which a vessel encloses a surface school within a net. Longline fishing targets deep-swimming tuna. Because tuna school with other animals, both methods carry significant risk of bycatch of dolphins, sea turtles, billfish, seabirds, and pelagic sharks. Fishermen seeking to reduce bycatch use streamers to scare away birds and select bait and locations to minimize the chance of fishing mixed schools. A purse seine encloses a school of fish within a net. Dado Daniela / Getty Images Sources Collette, B.; Acero, A.; Amorim, A.F.; et al. (2011). Thunnus albacares. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T21857A9327139. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T21857A9327139.enCollette, B.B. (2010). Reproduction and Development in Epipelagic Fishes. In: Cole, K.S. (ed.), Reproduction and sexuality in marine fishes: patterns and processes, pp. 21-63. University of California Press, Berkeley.Joseph, J. (2009). Status of the world fisheries for tuna.  International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).Schaefer, K.M. (1998). Reproductive biology of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.  Bulletin of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission  21: 201-272.

Should the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Be Required in...

Should The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn be required in school? Mark Twain’s â€Å"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn† is said to be one of the greatest American novels to ever be written and is what all other pieces of American literature are based off of. The novel has been debated for over an entire century and will continue to be debated for much longer. Never the less, Huckleberry Finn teaches young students and adults the important life lessons. †The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn† by Mark Twain should remain required reading in American Literature classes because it enlightens students about the horrors of racism and slavery, familiarizes students with the South during time period, and properly portrays the powers of conformity.†¦show more content†¦Some students think this portrays all black people as dumbfounded people when it comes to learning new things. This is why many students feel uncomfortable in class when reading and learning about the book. Twain purposely adds these into the novel to provide examples of how slaves were treated during the time period of Huckleberry Finn and to show society’s view slavery. â€Å"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn†, gives an eye opening view of the South during this time period through the eyes of Huck and Jim. Huck and Jim are very unlikely friends but become friends never the less and share many experiences on the river together. The two influence each other in more ways than one and may not even realize they do. They both have their own opinions and views although society heavily impacts them. Society’s view on racism is Huck’s view on racism because that is what he was brought up to be. The society has a powerful effect to smother problems such as slavery and racism. Huck being brought up in a society that ingrains racism in to you as a child is struggling to decide what is morally right and wrong to do and who will hopefully realize Jims humanity at the end of the novel (Culture Shock).While talking to Huck, Aunt Sally projects It warnt the grounding -- that didnt keep us back but a little. We blowed out a cylinder-head. Good g racious! anybody hurt? Nom. Killed a nigger. Well, its lucky; because sometimes people

The Hidden Children Of The Holocaust - 1642 Words

The Holocaust is a very large topic with many subtopics within, which many people have never heard of. One in particular is the Hidden Children of the Holocaust. Like a majority of individuals, I never heard of this topic before, until I started my inquiry work. Hiding children during the holocaust was an effort to save thousands of children’s lives. The children were hidden in different ways, either with false identities, underground, and with or without their parents. The children with false identities were allowed to participate in everyday life activities, like attend school and socialize with children their age, which in the long run this lead to less emotional and mental issues. However, the children that were hidden and not allowed to leave their hiding spots often faced boredom, pain, and torment. Some children were capable of being hid with their parents while other children were not. Depending on the situation the child was in, depends on the effects it had on the ch ild during this time. In this paper, I will be discussing works by two scholars, Natalia Aleksiun’s Gender and Daily Lives of Jews in Hiding in Eastern Galicia and Judy Mitchell’s Children of the Holocaust. Aleksiun’s article talks about the daily lives of Jews in hiding and also about how they prepared their hideouts. Aleksiun’s article mainly focuses on children that were hidden with their families. In Mitchell’s article, he focuses on the hidden children and gives examples/survivor stories on what itShow MoreRelatedChildren During the Holocaust1306 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the Holocaust, â€Å"the Nazis killed over 1.5 billion children† (Children during the Holocaust). Of these children, one million of them were Jewish. The Nazis had no good reason to kill them; they only killed these innocent children because Hitler did not care for their race. The Nazis, a forceful, merciless power led by Adolf Hitler brainwashed the country of Germany into believing that Jews and other races were awful. These children bravely fought persecution and avoided death by hidingRead MoreLola Rein Kaufman1044 Words   |  5 PagesThere is one thing all hidden children of the holocaust have in common, silence. Lola Rein Kaufman is one of those hidden children. And she is done being silent. Lola Rein was a hidden child during the holocaust. She was one of the lucky ones; one of the 10,000- 500,000 that survived. Her family wasn’t as lucky. Lola endured, los, abandonment, and constant fear, but has now chosen to shed her cloak of silence. There were two types of hidden children: the children that didn’t look like the stereotypicalRead MoreEssay on Jewish Children during the Holocaust1077 Words   |  5 Pagesit treats its children (Nelson Mandela). If this statement is considered true, then its fair to say that during times of the Holocaust, the German society was at an all time low. Children during the Holocaust did not have a carefree childhood, like they should have, but instead were placed under strenuous conditions. They had to go through being separated from all family and friends, being chosen the first to go to, and in most cases a permanent loss of family members. The Holocaust was undoubtedlyRead MoreWithin the Holocaust1193 Words   |  5 PagesThe Holocaust is an event in history which will be entrenched within peoples’ minds for eternity; the Holocaust affected many people, including the Jewish, the mentally challenged, homosexuals and, prisoners of war (POW). There are several accounts f rom survivors of the Holocaust, but many, people were not as fortunate. The horrors from this event were hidden. Yet children like Anne Frank, were terribly affected. The holocaust has affected millions of people and their story should be known. Read MoreHolocaust : A Wave Of Mass Murder Swept Across Europe1453 Words   |  6 Pages11 months of 9 million Jews who lived in Europe before the Holocaust, an estimated â…” was murdered. An estimated 1 million children endured the Holocaust and only 5,000 survived. Children were targeted especially during the holocaust because they could grow up and be a new generation of the Jews. Although not many survived, the ones that did had an incredible story to be told, of how the Holocaust affected and changed their lives. Holocaust Survivor Jeannine Burk was shaped and changed by having toRead MoreEffects of War on Children: Comparing Experiences of Children During the Holocaust and Children Affected by the War on Terrorism1746 Words à ‚  |  7 Pageswith all wars that occurred in the past and present. This synopsis will focus on the effects of war on children and the different ways they survived through it. It will compare the children of the Holocaust and the children of the war on terrorism. War has a great effect on children and can harm them socially, mentally, and physically. Survival of the fittest differs vastly between these children and the wars they are going through. Terrorist groups are all over and have been around for a long timeRead MoreThe Nazi Crimes During Holocaust1340 Words   |  6 PagesMillions of people witnessed the crimes of the Holocaust all over Europe in there every day lives. There were numerous people across Europe who willingly collaborated or were complicit in the Nazi crimes during Holocaust. What could motivate so many people to turn against other human beings and treat them as lesser? Why did others not help? There were a lot of people who did help the Jews. Everyone believes in something and has ideas of what they believe to be right or wrong. Most people will standRead MoreRighteous Gentiles1026 Words   |  5 Pages God’s Children The term â€Å"Righteous Gentile† or â€Å"Righteous among the Nations† is used to name those non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. The title is used informally as referring to anyone considered to be a savior of Jews, but it has an official role in the Israeli program of Holocaust remembrance, administered by Yad Vashem. The criteria established by Yad Vashem include the following: — â€Å"The rescuer ensured the survival of a Jew or Jews by extending aid to themRead MoreHolocaust Essay701 Words   |  3 PagesLife during the Holocaust The Holocaust was a horrible event and had many tragedies and losses of family and friends. This event starts in 1933 where Hitler rises to power, and ends in 1945 where Hitler is defeated and the holocaust has ended. There are many topics about the holocaust that people would want to know, but this topic is a crucial and important one. The topic is Life during the Holocaust where we learn about how Jewish people live during the holocaust and what happened to them in theRead MoreHidden Like Anne Frank By Marcel Prins And Peter Henk Steenhuis809 Words   |  4 PagesHidden Like Anne Frank Book Report Hidden like Anne Frank is a historical nonfiction book written by Marcel Prins and Peter Henk Steenhuis. The book focuses on the story of 14 children of Jewish descent who went into hiding during WWII (1939-1945) and survived. The book includes an interactive website that features audio recordings and animations of the children who went into hiding, telling their story. The stories were written as they were told by these children. Of course, they are much older

To Be and What Not to Be A Critical Analysis on Anton...

I believe you assigned this book for us to read because it is a clear representation of what it means and takes to be a great officer in the United States Army. It has taught me a lot of positive and negative attributes of leadership. Sam Damon represents everything that an officer should be, and Courtney Massengale represents everything that you hope your superiors are not. After reading this book I can ask myself, when encountered with a difficult problem, What would Sam Damon do? This book has taught me several very important lessons about leadership. First, I must choose the harder right. I strongly believe that a good officer is one that is not afraid to go that extra mile to ensure the safety and welfare of the soldiers under his†¦show more content†¦The two men do have two similarities that I can see. They are both very intellectual and both keenly ambitious. Damon enjoys reading military history, and tries to learn from the mistakes of previous leaders from the past. Massengale attended West Point. Just these two points alone show they are both smart men. The problem is where Damon uses his intellect to learn and better himself, for the purposes of being a better leader for his soldiers, Massengale only uses his to increase in rank, in order to gain power and seek conquest. Damon tries to advance with hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Massengale employs easier channels to promotion. Such as swapping favors for his superiors, and and unending array of political maneuvering. Damon also has good officer-enlisted relations. The soldiers want to follow him, they want to make him proud of them, they do not want to let him down. This is one reason why he wins battle after battle throughout the wars which occur during his career. Massengale on the other hand sees the enlisted man as being just a bit above an indentured servant. They are there only to do what he orders them to do. They should not think, they should be yes-men and act like puppets, while he is out of harms way portraying the puppetmaster role. I believe they are excellent role models for junior officers. Every officer should strive for excellence found in Sam Damon, and try their best to stray away from officers

Grand Theft to Grand Calling free essay sample

Richard Puz wrote â€Å"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal†. The day I lost Trevor, I knew I would never forget the pain, but I also knew I would never stop loving him. A wave of pain and regret washed over me as I learned of his passing. How could such a precious thing be there and gone so swiftly? I know that the doctors did everything they could to save him, but my mom still lost Trevor at five months pregnant, leaving us desperate to keep the other twin, my now nine year old sister, Faith, alive. I believe that no one should have to endure the loss of a child. By majoring in biochemistry, I will be prepared to take my place in the medical field where I will specialize in saving the lives of the purest generation, those who will take our place in society. We will write a custom essay sample on Grand Theft to Grand Calling or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The future of our country and our world lies within the tiny hands of every unborn child, and they continue to reach out for help every day. This neo-natal specialty that I wish to pursue provides the opportunity for any and all issues with the health of the baby to be reconciled before birth, leaving nothing less than a happy, healthy baby. From in-the-womb surgeries to intravenous feeding, neo-natal specialist work in the most intense, fast-paced, and worthwhile job position available. There is no comparison. Because I have experience, having lost my own brother, I believe I am fully emotionally equipped to work efficiently with no hindrances. Pro-longing the lives of children, and in turn saving the lives of mothers, has always been my passion and a deep desire in my heart since the day I realized what I lost when Trevor died. I think about the fact that he never had the chance to fight for his own life; he just died. He never gazed into our parents’ faces, never spoke his first word, and never experienced the triumph of learning how to ride a bike. By majoring in biochemistry, I will have set the stage to begin my journey into pre-medicine. I will eventually make my way into a field of medicine where I can work to save lives every single day. I desire to justify my brother’s pre-mature death by saving as many lives as I possibly can. The heartache that remains is my constant reminder of what I want to do and of who I want to be. I am determined to work in a position that I am passionate about; anything else would be inadequate.