Reflective Case Study on the Assessment and Evaluation of Secondary Essay

Reflective Case Study on the Assessment and Evaluation of Secondary Mathematics - Essay Example An evaluation refers to an intermittent process of gathering data and then analyzing it in such a way that the resulting information can be used to determine whether an individual is effectively carrying out planned objectives. Through evaluation, we will be able to anticipate results of a student's progress. On the other hand, assessment is the process of detailing knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs which, in turn, is often used in the educational context. I may consider that both of these techniques are the first steps in getting your child the assistance he needs to learn and develop in school. In accordance to this, a series of educational assessments carried out on children attending schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that follows the National Curriculum was made, called as National Curriculum Assessments. The exam-based assessments (National Curriculum Tests) are often referred to as SATs (Standard, or Statutory, Assessment Tests), which was their title when they were being developed in the 1990s. One of the subjects that were given importance is the secondary mathematics. I personally believe that there has never been a greater need to be mathematically literate but for those who comprehend mathematics, there are important enhanced opportunities and options that will open doors to dynamic futures. In the National Curriculum, schools are ensure... It is a flexible framework given to teachers by Government, so that all school children are taught in a way that is balanced and manageable, but stretching enough to challenge them and meet their diverse needs. The National Curriculum is prearranged into blocks of years called 'key stages'. I am about to examine key stage 3 and key stage 4 performance in Mathematics. Here is an example individual pupil profile of a student in key stage 3. *Important Note: A pupil's score is only an estimate of true ability as performance on any one occasion can be affected by a number of factors such as mood, illness, external distractions etc. Here are the results of last year's (2005) National Curriculum Test Scores in Mathematics. These tables show the percentage of year 9 pupils achieving each level nationally in 2005 Assessment Data The following can are some available assessment tests that can be used. The Basic Yellis Test, which has been in use since 1992, as a measure of developed abilities providing a fair baseline from which GCSE predictions and value-added scores can be generated, also helps in assessing the pupil's performance with regards to the curriculum. Their compulsory math section has been designed with an emphasis on measuring fluency and speed as well as numerical ability. One of their most efficient ways of collecting mathematical information is the use of constructed answers rather than just multiple choice questions. According to them, the Math score is an excellent predictor of later academic achievement. Another quick way of assessment is GOAL or Goal plc (Global Online Assessment for Learning) established to provide an innovative

Urban economics homework Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Urban economics homework - Assignment Example b) Utilities are a typical household expense that can drive a person’s monthly expenses up or down, depending on the season. Therefore, it is not possible that all the 50 residents can have the same level of utility. c) Capitalization causes the equilibrium, and the price per unit housing may differ following the fact that, equilibrium between the two jurisdictions, and poor households are the majority in the inner parts of an urban area where they vote for a low public service level. At the same time in the suburbs, the majority households are rich and they vote high public service. However, the commuting cost, land prices, and income can adjust making both case of households indifferent between jurisdictions. a) In respect to the household wealth complements, people prefer to live in communities with a higher level of public good and higher taxes than others. The economic intuition for this behavior can be attributed to the source and level of income that a households gets on a monthly base or annually. This would differentiate between the two types of household (Balchin, Paul, David Isaac, and Jean). b) As mentioned earlier in case 1 the utility level depends on a season. Again the amount of income comes in where by high income earners utility level is likely to be high compared to that of low income earner. c) The equilibrium level in terms of price per house cannot remain constant. This is because factors such as the commuting cost, land prices, income, environmental conditions, security, house demand and the quality of a those house units keeps on changing. d) It is unlikely that the wage level between the two types of households is the same following the fact that households with above-average income pay high taxes than they get while households with inferior than average income get more than their tax liability. Households with higher incomes demand more of the public good, they are likely to pay high taxes due to rising income if

Analysis of the costs and benefits of China`s economic reforms in last Essay

Analysis of the costs and benefits of China`s economic reforms in last decades - Essay Example The early reforms were more definite since they were responses to definite problems and crisis of that period. In the second phase, the reforms were adapted to new set of challenges and opportunities (Naughton, p.107). China has shown a remarkable economic progress after centuries of oppression by the Westerners. Recently the China Daily newspaper has conferred that the nation is an example to all nations who are struggling to stand on their own feet (Callick, 13). In 1991, General Secretary Jiang Zemin that temporary difficulties cannot prevent the Chinese from continuing to develop (Saich, 75). This paper is the best example of analysis of the pros and cons of China’s economic reforms in recent decades. In the early 1990s, China’s approach towards economy resembled any other transitional economies with emphasis on sustaining balanced and efficient financial policies. The principles objectives were to eradicate corruption, promote a developed market economy and maintain fair competition in the domestic market. China’s fiscal policies are mostly complex and have yield varying resulting in different phases of reform. The early reforms were more definite since they were responses to definite problems and crisis of that period. In the second phase, the reforms were adapted to new set of challenges and opportunities. China has shown a remarkable economic progress after centuries of oppression by the Westerners. Recently the China Daily newspaper has conferred that the nation is an example to all nations who are struggling to stand on their own feet. It has been rightly assumed that the conversion of China from state socialism to market economy has generated pervasive corruption. With constant changing of reforms, public official took the opportunity to fulfill their personal ambitions. The factors encouraging corruption became more apparent from the pre-reform era with officials submerged in informal relationships. Market reforms in China have paved the way for growing disparity among different sectors of the society. Since policies now are mostly market based, the former strong relationship between the Communist Party and the Labor has deteriorated. Chinese economy today focuses mainly on urban regions. The transformation phase of China can be educative but only from the perspective of the overall transition

Urban economics homework Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Urban economics homework - Assignment Example b) Utilities are a typical household expense that can drive a person’s monthly expenses up or down, depending on the season. Therefore, it is not possible that all the 50 residents can have the same level of utility. c) Capitalization causes the equilibrium, and the price per unit housing may differ following the fact that, equilibrium between the two jurisdictions, and poor households are the majority in the inner parts of an urban area where they vote for a low public service level. At the same time in the suburbs, the majority households are rich and they vote high public service. However, the commuting cost, land prices, and income can adjust making both case of households indifferent between jurisdictions. a) In respect to the household wealth complements, people prefer to live in communities with a higher level of public good and higher taxes than others. The economic intuition for this behavior can be attributed to the source and level of income that a households gets on a monthly base or annually. This would differentiate between the two types of household (Balchin, Paul, David Isaac, and Jean). b) As mentioned earlier in case 1 the utility level depends on a season. Again the amount of income comes in where by high income earners utility level is likely to be high compared to that of low income earner. c) The equilibrium level in terms of price per house cannot remain constant. This is because factors such as the commuting cost, land prices, income, environmental conditions, security, house demand and the quality of a those house units keeps on changing. d) It is unlikely that the wage level between the two types of households is the same following the fact that households with above-average income pay high taxes than they get while households with inferior than average income get more than their tax liability. Households with higher incomes demand more of the public good, they are likely to pay high taxes due to rising income if

Standardising HR practice in IT company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Standardising HR practice in IT company - Essay Example However, the situation might be a little bit complicated when it comes to handling manpower in the multinational company, which has operations in all over the world with different cultures and values. Globalisation is a very important concept. Knowing it fully will pave way to understanding how entirely a multinational level company should operate. Clive (2001) defined multinational companies as those with strategies and ability to organise allowing them to become sensitive and responsive to variation in national environments worldwide. From this definition, it is clear that the complexity in handling multinational company is taken into consideration. Paralleling the culture and technological innovations of recent time has been the most important development of a global business.For instance, the fact that there are differences of culture and other environmental factors from one country to another is a very important issue that the human resource department should take into consideration as far as the operation of company is concerned on a global basis. In the early 1990s, the IT Company as a large multinational organisation with relatively powerful independence was structured around geographical areas. This lead to different Human Resource (HR) policies that existed between countries where IT Company existed and this resulted further to different HR practices in areas such as training, pay and flexitime. In the early 1990s due to emerging global and local competition, IT Company experienced economic trouble. With this, the organisation tried to change its business and organisational structure. The decision-making authority of local managers was reduced and responsibility transferred to Paris and to the US as regional headquarters where regional managers have the total control on decision making process. In addition to this, business units were instituted which the purpose

School and Communities Essay Example for Free

School and Communities Essay A school leader guides a student for such a brief moment, but is one of the connections that contribute to a student being successful and allowing for the student to transition easily in the learning environment? According to the recommended readings there is a correlation between the student’s home, community, and the school that facilitates the student’s transitions into and throughout the school system, leading to an environment that supports student success. There are several major transitions starting with kindergarten and progressing to the middle school level, and then onto high school. Each transitional time is critical and requires additional support to continue and to achieve academically. Based on my review of various articles, the following topics are promising directions that have emerged as areas that will make the connection powerful and successful. Family involvement during Kindergarten preparation is essential for young students to achieve to their potential. The importance of being prepared academically for school, and its implications for parents, has been the subject of extensive research and attention. One recent study suggests that fostering parent support and  parent learning about Kindergarten readiness can help ensure that children are adequately prepared to start school (Starkey Klein, 2000; Perroncel, 2000). In my readings it was suggested that a network of social connections that support children and families during the Kindergarten transition are needed, including interactions between teachers and children, children and peers, parents and teachers, and preschool teachers and Kindergarten teachers. While there is an increased amount of evidence about the elements that support Kindergarten readiness, there is also a need to better integrate the early childhood development literature to  fully understand the connections that make a difference and allow the student to be successful. For example, Fantuzzo et al. (2000) conducted a study to assess parent involvement for children in day care, Head Start, and Kindergarten. Studies such as this can begin to build understanding of how parent involvement changes from pre-school to Kindergarten. Future research can also build our understanding of the specific types of family and community connections that provide a strong support network for children, particularly those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they prepare to enter Kindergarten. STUDENT TRANSITION THROUGH EDUCATION LEVELS 3 Despite the continued occurrence of the myth that family and community connections are primarily important at the elementary school level, researchers have begun exploring the effects of school, family, and community connections during transitions to middle and high school as well. Gutman and Midgley (2000) found that during the transition from the elementary level to the middle school level, both school factors and family factors were important to support academic achievement in African American students. Another study found that, contrary to popular belief, middle and high school students do want their parents to be involved, especially in terms of homework help and other home-based types of support and involvement (Catsambis Garland, 1997). This study found that parent involvement does not decline, as expected, but rather shifts as students move into middle and high school. Although they continued to be involved, parents reported increasing dissatisfaction with their role in relationship to the school, especially involving school policy (Catsambis Garland). These results confirm the importance of continued exploration of needs that students have during the transition to middle school and to high school, and roles that families play in supporting these transitions. The impact of school outreach is an important finding. School outreach and invitations to families and community members have a significant impact on the level and quality of family and community connections. In at least three studies, it has been found to have a greater impact than family characteristics on previous student academic achievement (Van Voorhis, 2000; Simon, 2000; Chrispeels Rivero, 2000). Simon found that when schools reach out, and families and community members feel that the school is extending invitations at a personal level, they respond with higher attendance at school-based activities and better quality of family involvement at home. The unique role that schools play in initiating and setting the tone for connections with families and the community cannot be denied. Researchers have also suggested that more research is needed regards to what motivates individual school staff members to reach out to parents and community and how  school staff can be further motivated and supported in building these relationships. STUDENT TRANSITION THROUGH EDUCATION LEVELS 4 There is a growing understanding of the role that relationships between staff in schools and community organizations play in the development of successful collaborations between school and communities. Jehlet al. (2001) suggests that there are â€Å"sticking points,† in organizational cultures and values that can hinder school-community connections. They suggest that these sticking points must be understood and addressed in order to build effective partnerships. These disconnects can be exacerbated by the lack of personal relationships that build trust and understanding between school and community staff (Center for Mental Health in Schools, 1999a). It is clear that family, school, and community connections can benefit children from before the time they enter Kindergarten until after they graduate from high school. Our charge in the educational field of study is to come together to address the issues highlighted in this synthesis paper and to clarify the concept and outcomes of family and community connections with schools. In doing so we will better understand these connections and create the knowledge needed to realize the potential of family, school, and community connections for student learning and student’s success. STUDENT TRANSITION THROUGH EDUCATION LEVELS 5 References Catsambis, S. , Garland, J. E. (1997). Parental involvement in students education during middle school and high school (CRESPAR Report 18). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University. ED423328. http://www. csos. jhu. edu/crespar/Reports/report18entire. htm Center for Mental Health in Schools. (1999a). Expanding educational reform to address barriers to learning: Restructuring student support services and enhancing school community partnerships. Los Angeles, CA: Center for Mental Health in Schools. http://smhp. psych. ucla. edu/pdfdocs/Report/Expand. pdf Fantuzzo, J. , Tighe, E. , Childs, S. (2000). Family involvement questionnaire: A multivariate assessment of family participation in early childhood education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(2), 367-375. Gutman, L. M. , Midgley, C. (2000). The role of protective factors in supporting the academic achievement of poor African American students during the middle school transition. Journal of Youth and  Adolescence, 29(2), 223-249. Jehl, J. , Blank, M. J. , McCloud, B. (2001). Education and community building: Connecting two worlds. Washington, DC: Institute for Educational Leadership, Inc. http://www. communityschools. org/combuild. pdf Starkey, P. , Klein, A. (2000). Fostering parental support for children’s mathematical development: An intervention with Head Start families. Early Education and Development, 11(5), 659-680. Van Voorhis, F. L. (2000). The effects of interactive (TIPS) homework on family involvement and science achievement of middle grade students. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Florida.

Nutrition During Pregnancy | Annotated Bibliography

Nutrition During Pregnancy | Annotated Bibliography Geraldine O’Sullivan, et al (2009) did this study to investigate the effect of feeding during labour on obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Prospective randomized controlled trial was used as design in this study. Setting of this study was at Birth centre in London teaching hospital. 2426 nulliparous, non-diabetic women at term, with a singleton cephalic presenting fetus and in labour with a cervical dilatation of less than 6 cm. were participants. In this study they provide light diet or water during labour and they measure the outcome of spontaneous vaginal delivery rate. Other outcomes measured included during this duration of labour, was need for augmentation of labour, instrumental and caesarean delivery rates, incidence of vomiting, and neonatal outcome. Result was the spontaneous vaginal delivery rate was the same in both groups (44%; relative risk 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 1.08). No clinically important differences were found during duration of labour (geomet ric mean: eating, 597 min v water, 612 min; ratio of geometric means 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.03), the caesarean delivery rate (30% v 30%; relative risk 0.99, 0.87 to 1.12), or the incidence of vomiting (35% v 34%; relative risk 1.05, 0.9 to 1.2).Outcomes of neonatal were also similar Hazel M Inskip et al (2009) conducted this to examine the extent to which women planning a pregnancy completely with recommendations for nutrition and life style .Design was used for this study were prospective cohort study. Setting was at Southampton, United Kingdom. Participants are 445 non-pregnant women aged 20-34 recruited to the Southampton Women’s Survey through general practices, 238 of whom became pregnant within three months of being interviewed. Result was the 238 women who became pregnant within three months of the interview were only marginally more likely to completely with recommendations for those planning a pregnancy than those who did not become pregnant in this period. Among those who became pregnant, 2.9% were taking 400 ÃŽ ¼g or more of folic acid supplements a day and drinking four or few units of alcohol a week, compared with of those who did not become pregnant. 74% of those who became antenatal mothers were non-smokers compared with 69% of those who di d not become antenatal mother (P=0.08). Women in both groups were equally likely to consume five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day (53% in each group, P=1.0), but only 57% of those who became antenatal mothers had taken any strenuous exercise in the past three months compared with 64% in those who did not become antenatal mothers (P=0.03).Concluded the study as only a small proportion of women planning a pregnancy follow the recommendations for nutritional diet and lifestyle. Greater publicity for the recommendations is also needed, but as many pregnancies are unplanned, improved nutritional diet and lifestyles of women of childbearing age is also required. Alison M. Stuebe,(2009) e tal did this study to identify modifiable risk factors for excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). Project Viva cohort study was used as a design. In this study they assessed associations of diet and physical activity with excessive GWG among 1388 women. Three hundred seventy-nine women (27%) were overweight (body mass index ≠¥ 26 kg/m2) and 703 (51%) experienced excessive GWG, according to Institute of Medicine guidelines. In multivariable logistic regression models, they found that intake of total energy (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.22, per 500 kcal/d), dairy (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00-1.17, per serving per day), and fried foods (OR, 3.47; 95% CI, 0.91-13.24, per serving per day) were associated with excessive GWG. In first trimester vegetarian diet (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28-0.78) and mid pregnancy walking (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.83-1.01, per 30 minutes per day) and vigorous physical activity (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60-0.97, per 30 minutes per day) were inversely associated with excessive GWG. Hannah Tait Neufeld et al. (2008) did this study to describe how aboriginal women in an urban setting perceive dietary treatment recommendations associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Design used was Semi-structured explanatory model interviews explored Aboriginal womens illness experiences with GD. Twenty-nine self-declared Aboriginal women who had received a diagnosis of GDM were participated .Result was participants associated fear, anxiety, and frustration with GDM. Emotional reactions appeared alongside negative relationships with food and other prescribed in lifestyle treatments. Results suggested that the experience of living with GDM can be overwhelming, as suggested by some of the complex factors influencing womens perceptions and reported behaviors. Discussions indicated that many felt socially isolated and had a poor self-image and sense of failure resulting from ineffective management GDM of practices. Penelope McLernon et al (2008) did this study. In this study, one of the most prevalent complications of pregnancy is asthma which is associated with an increased incidence of intrauterine growth restriction. The mechanisms that affect fetal development in pregnancies complicated by asthma were not clearly defined. Dietary fatty acids (FA) especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are particularly important during pregnancy due to their role in fetal growth and other development. The current study was designed to characterize the fatty acid profile in pregnant women with asthma to determine whether asthma severity or reduced fetal growth were associated with an altered FA profile. Maternal dietary intake and plasma fatty acid profile were examined in mother with and without asthma at 18, 30 and 36 weeks of gestation and maternal fatty acids levels were related to measures of fetal growth using Doppler ultrasound and birth outcomes. This was used as a method for data collection. R esults of this was that pregnant women with moderate and severe asthma had increased circulating plasma fatty acid levels at 36 weeks gestation but reduced dietary intake of fats compared to those women with mild asthma and healthy pregnant controls. In addition, women with moderate and severe asthma had increased circulating levels at 36 weeks gestation which was associated with reduced fetal and neonatal head circumference. Ruth M. McManus, (2007) et al did this study to compare the associated costs of actual food choices versus the cost of a constructed recommended diet. In this study costs associated with nutritious foods may be a barrier to healthy dietary choices and of particular concern to pregnancies complicated by diabetes. Survey was conducted in a tertiary care diabetes and pregnancy clinic to compare the associated costs of actual food choices versus the cost of a constructed recommended diet. Method which used this study was women with types 1, 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) completed 24-hour dietary recalls under the supervision of the research coordinator (Actual Diet). Recommended Diet for this population was constructed independent of responses of participants. Actual and Recommended Diets were standardized per 2000 kcal, priced and compared for content and cost of diet. Result was Seventy-five women participated: 27 with GDM, 29 with type 1 diabetes and 19 with type 2 diabete s. There were no significant cost differences between Recommended and Actual Diets .Food choices expressed per 2000 kcal: Recommended Diet $10.14 ±3.72; Actual Diet GDM: $11.30 ±3.88; Actual Diet of type 1 diabetes: $9.00 ±3.16; Actual Diet of type 2 diabetes: $10.24 ±3.92. Percentage of fiber intake was lower for Actual Diets than Recommended Diet for all, while percentage of protein intake was lower in Actual than Recommended Diet for women in type 1 diabetes.