The Impact of the FCAT-based learning system on English Language Learners Essay Example for Free

The Impact of the FCAT-based learning system on English Language Learners Essay The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a high stakes mandatory evaluation for students in elementary public schools in the state of Florida. It is famed for gains in student achievement and teacher accountability. On the flip side, it is dreaded for test anxiety in students, and a state administered bonus incentive to top performing schools among other flaws. It is unfair to subject non-English speakers to the FCAT. As defined in section 1001.56 of the Florida Statutes; English Language Learners (ELLs) means Limited English Proficient. These are individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. (Florida Administrative Weekly). The researcher admits that they did not factor in ELLs in their survey questions. However he compensates for this with a recommendation as well as a good number of insightful comments from respondents. This could be a pointer that ELLs could be ignored by the Florida state education system. This could lead to protests and hate speech from minorities. A respondent commented: It is ridiculous for second language learners to take the FCAT as soon as they enter the country! Research indicates it takes as many as six years for students to be able to reason and express themselves in writing in a second language! FCAT standards have been found to be failing under the rules of the federal ‘No Child Left Behind’ legislation. This mandatory test exacerbates the school drop out problem in Florida.(FCAT Project) In conclusion the FCAT system is not fair to ELLs. There are other tests like ACT, SAT in line with Sunshine State Standards (Florida Department of Education) that can be used. If this system is to be popular, then policy makers need to work on its flaws. Works Cited â€Å"Accommodations of the Statewide Assessment Program Instruments and Procedures for English Language Learners.† Florida Administrative Weekly and Florida Administrative Code. May 5, 2009, May 7, 2010. https://www.flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?id=6A-6.09091

Dragons Essay example -- Expository Animals History Essays

Dragons What’s the first thing people think when they hear the word â€Å"dragon?† Most Americans and Europeans probably envision a huge scaly green beast, one that sits on a hoard of golden treasures and breathes fire. Asians are more likely to think of a benevolent snake-like creature, one that controls rains and rivers. And some people will think of the dragons in movies, or in books, which come in innumerable shapes, sizes, and dispositions. Practically every culture on Earth has dragons of some kind. The broadest way of categorizing dragons is into Western and Eastern dragons, though some of the dragons in the media have distinct characteristics as well. And then, of course, is the ultimate question: did they exist? Western dragons are the storybook monsters that most Americans recognize. The most common variety have four legs, two bat-like wings, a long tail, and a lot of teeth. They breathe fire, are covered in scales, hoard treasure, and have dangerous claws. They vary in color, and can be any shade of the rainbow, white, black, or any of various metallic shades. They are usually fierce, and feast on young virgins or sheep sacrificed by nearby villagers in an attempt to pacify the beast (Blumberg 6-7, Lurie n.p, Walker, Tempest). The Eastern dragons, by contrast, are benevolent water spirits. They are long and sinuous, covered in scales, and wingless, though they have four legs. They have whiskers, horns and often a mane, and always have a pearl either under the chin, in the mouth, or in the claws. Eastern dragons govern rain and rivers, and breathe clouds rather than fire. They are fond of swallow’s meat, and afraid of centipedes. The Chinese and Japanese emperors were believed to be descended from dragons (Ayles... ...gons have over the human imagination is as legendary as the great beasts themselves. Works Cited Aylesworth, Thomas. The Story of Dragons and Other Monsters. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1980. Blumberg, Rhoda. The Truth About Dragons. New York: Four Winds Press, 1980. Dickinson, Peter. The Flight of Dragons. New York: Harper and Row, 1979. Dragonheart. Dir. Rob Cohen. , 1996. Lurie, Alison. Fabulous Beasts. New York: Rae Publishing Company, 1981. McCaffrey, Anne. Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern. New York: Ballantine Books, 1983. Mulan. Dir. Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft. Disney, 1998. Pete’s Dragon. Dir. Don Chaffey. Disney, 1977. Tempest. â€Å"Advanced Dragon Description.† D.R.A.G.O.N.S. n.d. 14 May 2002. . Walker, Jennifer. â€Å"Physiology of a Dragon.† Here Be Dragons. n.d. 14 May 2002. <

Basic Lesson in Finance

The article â€Å"A Basic Lesson in Finance† discusses the consequences of stock market falling. The article contributes significantly financial and economic fields as it offers well-structured and logical study of the problem. The author describes the Black Monday stressing that it was really unexpected and financial sphere appeared not to be prepared for such situation. Actually, the US stock market has dramatically dropped, and it has been the largest crash since 1929.Nevertheless, equities benefited from such situation as inflation had fallen. The author underlines that the Black Monday passed harmlessly in contrast to credit crunch occurred in the country. I think the article is very analytic and informative as it offers detailed analysis of stock market falling stressing the causes, flowing and consequences. It is known that stocks are very attractive for investors and for common people who are willing to earn money. So, fluctuations at stock market cause worries among p eople.Nevertheless, economists argue that recession is inevitable and investors should pull back on consumption. In such a way the author cites economists and financial analytics to show the current situation at the stock market. For example, he cites John Kenneth Galbraith who argues that depression caused more serious damages than stock market falling. Further, the author suggests that stock market recovered from the crisis only since nine months, though he didn’t provide evidence to support his position.Moreover, he writes that stock market falling didn’t affect country’s economy, though I don’t agree with his point. I think that even the slightest fluctuations at the market do affect economic stability as small problems in not managed properly may become disastrous. The credit crunch is said to become easier, though the borrowers don’t see expected returns. Finally, it was interesting to find information about securitization because this proble m is relatively new and there is little available information how to manage the problem.

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