The Negative Effects of High-Stakes Tests Essay -- Education, No Chil

Visualize a standardized test taken annually by millions of students in the U.S.A. that directly affects teaching methods, school budgets, and grade promotion. Presently, millions of schools are utilizing high-stakes tests to determine these major factors. The United States expects students to perform well on standardized testing, or school districts will suffer financial consequences under the No Child Left Behind Act (Au 502). This places pressure on everyone from administrators to students in a school district. Schools worldwide are stressed to succeed on these standardized tests when they only measure a fraction of a student’s intelligence. Standardized testing must be discontinued because it negatively affects school curricula, students’ and instructors’ mentality, and fairness of the test for all students. National standardized testing is a requirement under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which promises parents that: instructors will teach more efficiently, students will be motivated, and school systems will operate more productively (Nicolas 42). All of these promises are said to lead to better education for students, especially those who are raised within minority groups (Nicolas 45). The primary purpose of standardized tests is to evaluate students and show whether or not the standards of the standardized test was met in the school. However, the risks of these tests outweigh the benefits. A standardized test is not the sole test that determines the level of the student’s intelligence. Standardized tests place pressure on teachers to instruct a group of diverse students who are all on different academic levels. When students score poorly on standardized tests, school districts are coerced to lose federal education f... ...ngle test that does not even measure the entirety of a student’s intelligence. School districts who are afforded minimal test preparation cannot expect their students to successfully pass as well as the students in another school district who can afford a plethora or test preparation. Hence, these poor school districts suffer from the state education officials. Standardized tests cause schools to focus more or their instructional time on the test instead of focusing their teaching on the other skills students need to succeed in life. This test preparation even removes any chance of students being able to broaden their horizons with other supplementary education since test preparation commonly involves memorizing the same facts or knowledge. Standardized tests are an abomination to a student’s intelligence, teachers’ creativity, and school districts’ productivity.

Censored Literature Essay

There are many reason why states or international countries ban and censor literature. The question that arise when literature are integrated into the curriculum is â€Å"is the literature appropriate?† The reason for censored or banned literature is culture, language, religion, and age. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is literature that has been challenged and censored by many schools because of what the literature represents and inappropriate for children of a certain age. Although many schools banned and censored the literature, the literature can provide a positive in-class discussion and encourage group projects. Censoring The Lord of the Flies by William Golding The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a fictional book about British schoolboys being evacuated on a plane to escape war. The plane is shot down into a deserted island. Challenges are faced, rules are broke, and new laws are established on the island. The main character, Ralph, becomes the leader of the schoolboys. Ralph tries to establish order on the island, but the schoolboys vote against Ralph. Instead of establishing order and a civil group on the island, the schoolboys become savages, violent, and mischievous. As Ralph tries to escape the mischievous boys who are after him, Ralph stumbles upon the beach, where a British naval ship arrived on the beach. The literature is seen as a controversial book. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding was challenged at the Owen, NC High School in 1981. According to the American Library Association (2010), the book was considered â€Å"demoralizing inasmuch as it implies that man is little more than an animal† (The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding). The literature brings up the discussion of what constitutes a government vs. savages. Although to some, the literature may seem barbaric with inappropriate language, the literature provides knowledge and uses of symbolism. I agree the literature may be unsuitable ages; the book recommended for high school students can be a great tool for English studies and in-class discussion. The use of symbolism helps students to learn the depths and meaning of literature. Symbolism adds ideas and different meanings in literary works. Use of Literature in the Curriculum. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding can be used in the high school reading curriculum for English studies. Students will discuss the literature after reading two chapters. Student will identify the symbolism used in the chapters. Students will then discuss the issue of laws vs. savages. Upon discussion, students will then write down what constitute a government and laws. Student will then discuss his or her ideas in front of the class. Conclusion Literature banned and censored in many parts of the United States and other countries contain content material that may be unsuitable for certain age groups. However, censoring books may not allow students to experience certain situations that he or she may not experience, but can experience emotions. Some literatures may even contain valuable information on history or the way government works. Other literatures can provide discussion that can provide different perspectives or views of the story. It is important to incorporate literature in everyday teaching to enhance critical thinking skills. Reference American Library Association. (2010). Banned and/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe publishing course top 100 novels of the 20th century. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics/reasons

An Analysis Of Homer s Iliad Achilles - 948 Words

To be Honored or Dishonored? During the Trojan War, dying with honor, glory, and power at a young age was worth more than staying alive. Being honored as the central figure in songs that are passed from generation to generation is the goal of warriors during the Trojan War era, but what or who determines who is honored and dishonored? Does mental characteristics matter, or is it just by the number of men murdered and women captured? In Homer’s Iliad, Achilles is one of the most despised characters in the book, however, he and his infamous wrath is still discussed thousands of years later. Americans even uses the phrase â€Å"Achilles Heel† to describe a weakness in spite of overall strength. Achilles’ arrogance, attention seeking, and sociopathic behavior has earned him all the honor, glory, and power. So I ask, does the great warrior of Achaean, Achilles, deserve to be honored or dishonored? In the beginning of Homer’s Iliad to the end, we were introduced to many of Achilles behavioral traits. One of the first characteristics we encounter is Achilles’ whiner trait. In Book One he and Agamemnon are in a quarrel because Agamemnon has dishonored him and has taking away his prize, Briseis. Achilles than confides in his mother, Thetis, about how he has been dishonored. Introducing to us another character trait, selfishness, he then begs his mother to persuade Zeus to let the Achaeans fail without him, which she does. In the midst of the Trojan War, Achilles refuses to participateShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of The Iliad1562 Words   |  7 PagesHomer is the author of the Iliad and is known as the greatest Greek epic poet. He has had an enormous influence on the history of literature. The poem, Iliad, has been translated into different languages, one of which will be used in this paper, translated by Robert Fagles. The poem itself is about one simple word: rage. Thi s anger that infuriates everyone is transformed into a war that will not stop until one side, either Greeks or Trojans, wins. With the majority of the Gods taking sides, the readerRead MoreNotes On Ajax Life And Participation On The Trojan War 3814 Words   |  16 Pagessources: †¢ Buxton: p. 135-137 (â€Å"The Iliad† and â€Å"To the fall of Troy† –see also images on the bottom of p. 137) †¢ Greek Mythology Link: http://www.maicar.com/GML/Ajax1.html Type your answers under each question (It is important that you include the questions. Do not omit them!) Ajax is Achilles’ first cousin, a handsome man and formidable warrior, is called the â€Å"wall† of Achaeans for his strength and his huge stature towering all other Greeks. †¢ Read Iliad book 7 : 180-312 (The duel between AjaxRead MoreThe Trojan Horse1296 Words   |  6 Pagesthe spot where Troy was. She believed that there were multiple earthquakes that lead to a new tower inside Troy being built. 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Essay example1962 Words   |  8 PagesHollywood films alike, has been an attraction to visit for at least twenty-five centuries. Visitors such as Alexander the Great, who stopped at Troy in 334 BC while on route east to conquer Asia, came to Troy looking for the city immortalized in Homers Iliad. Presently, archaeologists visit Hisarlik, a site in northwest Turkey, as it is believed to be the location of the ancient city. Alexander must have been puzzled when he had arrived in Ilion, the name of the city at the time of his visit. IlionRead MoreComparing Achilles And King Of Troy2072 Words   |  9 Pagesfocusing on today are that of Achilles of Greece and King Priam of Troy, and their relationship through a film medium, in th e adaptation of Troy directed by Wolfgang Petersen. In this essay I will be discussing the significance of Achilles and King Priam’s relationship throughout the film of Troy, and will be doing this through evaluating the contrast of values within their relationship, discussing their significance to the story of Troy and furthermore explaining the director s purpose through theirRead MoreHow and to what purpose does Virgil use ekphrasis in the Aeneid3194 Words   |  13 Pagesdiscontinuing the narrative and describing scenes on artwork Virgil possesses the reader of a ‘strong need to interpret’.3 It is towards this interpretation the essay shall now turn. There are six ekphraseis in the Aeneid.4 A particularly close analysis of the murals in the temple to Juno, and of the shield of Aeneas will be given. It became clear during the research for this essay that the main three ekphraseis – the aforementioned ones, and the panels on the door to Apollo’s temple at Cumae -Read MoreHistorical And Cultural Context Of The Movie The Odyssey 2026 Words   |  9 Pagesheroes fighting against a normally insurmountable amount of enemies and triumphing against all odds seem like a modern day movie concept. In actuality, the first â€Å"western-style† action story was written by an eighth-century B.C. poet named Homer. It was titled the Iliad and it told of many great stories involving Greek gods and horrid monsters. The second of these epic poems was named The Odyssey. The Odyssey had to have been an intensely popular story to have survived for centuries and recognized asRead MoreAlexander Pope Essay6204 Words   |  25 Pages revised. In this later version he added the quot;machinery,quot; the retinue of supernaturals who influence the action as well as the moral of the tale. After the publication of The Rape of the Lock, Pope spent many years translating the works of Homer. During the ten years he devoted to this arduous project, he produced very few new poems of his own but refined his taste in literature (and his moral, social, and political opinions) to an incredible degree. When he later recommenced to write original