Many Colleges Dont Require Students to Take Classes in Basic Areas

A report commissioned by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) reveals that colleges are not requiring students to take courses in several core areas. And as a result, these students are less prepared to be successful in life. The report, â€Å"What Will They Learn?† surveyed students in over 1,100 U.S. colleges and universities – public and private – and found that an alarming number of them were taking â€Å"lightweight† courses to satisfy general education requirements. The report also found the following about the colleges: 96.8% don’t require economics87.3% don’t require an intermediate foreign language81.0% don’t require a basic U.S. history or government38.1% don’t require college-level math65.0% don’t require literature The 7 Core Areas Here are the core areas identified by ACTA that college students should take classes in, and why theyre important: Composition: writing-intensive classes that focus on grammarLiterature: observant reading and reflection that develops critical thinking skillsForeign language: to understand different culturesU.S. Government or History: to be responsible, knowledgeable citizensEconomics: to understand how resources are connected globallyMathematics: to gain numeracy skills applicable in the workplace and in lifeNatural Sciences: to develop skills in experimentation and observation   Even some of the most highly-rated and expensive schools are not requiring students to take classes in these core areas. For example, one school that charges almost $50,000 a year in tuition does not require students to take classes in any of the 7 core areas. In fact, the study notes that the schools that receive an â€Å"F† grade based on how many core classes they require charge 43% higher tuition rates than the schools that receive a grade of â€Å"A.† Core Deficiencies So what’s causing the shift? The report notes that some professors prefer to teach classes related to their particular research area. And as a result, students end up choosing from a wide-ranging selection of courses. For example, at one college, while students are not required to take U.S. History or U.S. Government, they have an Intercultural Domestic Studies requirement that may include such courses as â€Å"Rock ‘n’ Roll in Cinema.†Ã‚  To fulfill the economics requirement, students at one school can take, â€Å"The Economics of Star Trek,† while â€Å"Pets in Society† qualifies as a Social Sciences requirement. At another school, students can take â€Å"Music in American Culture† or â€Å"America Through Baseball† to fulfill their requirements. At another college, English majors don’t have to take a class devoted to Shakespeare.   Some schools don’t have any core requirements at all. One school notes that it â€Å"does not impose a particular course or subject on all students.† On one hand, perhaps its commendable that some colleges are not forcing students to take certain classes. On the other hand, are freshmen really in a position to decide which courses would be most beneficial to them? According to the ACTA report, close to 80% of freshmen don’t know what they want to major in. And another study, by EAB, found that 75% of students will change majors before they graduate. Some critics advocate not letting students choose a major until their second year.  If students aren’t even sure what degree they plan to pursue, it might be unrealistic to expect them – especially as freshmen – to effectively gauge which core classes they need to be successful. Another problem is that schools don’t update their catalogs on a regular basis, and when students and their parents are trying to determine the requirements, they may not be viewing accurate information. Also, some colleges and universities don’t even list definite courses in some cases. Instead, there is a vague introductory phrase â€Å"courses may include,† so the classes listed in the catalog may or may not be offered. College Graduates Lacking Important Skills However, the glaring lack of information gained from taking college-level core classes is evident. A Payscale survey asked managers to identify the skills that they thought college grads lack the most. Among the responses, writing skills are identified as the top skill missing in action among college grads. Public speaking skills are in second place. But both of these skills could be developed if students were required to take core courses. In other surveys, employers have lamented the fact that college graduates don’t have the critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills – all issues that would be addressed in a core curriculum. Other disturbing findings: 20% of students who graduated with a bachelor’s degree were unable to accurately calculate the costs of ordering office supplies, according to the National Survey of America’s College Students.   While schools, boards of trustees, and policymakers need to make the necessary adjustments to require a core curriculum, college students cannot wait for these changes. They (and their parents) must research schools as thoroughly as possible, and students must choose to take the classes they need instead of selecting lightweight courses.

How People Struggle With A Child s Home And Neighborhood

book how people struggle with that thin line and how the battle of living that way usually never ends for most people. Because of that constant ring of being on and off of welfare parents are forced to live in UN ruling neighborhoods and use UN reliable child care. The effects of doing this have a drastic result of the children living in the situations that they have no control over. Gould and glad discuss the unreeling effects living this way has on children stating. â€Å"- Two of the five leading causes of death among children over one year old, injuries and homicide, are closely connected to characteristics of a child’s home and neighborhood. â€Å"The fourth key goal is to stabilize living situations. Without housing subsidies, low-income families may have to struggle to pay rent, or rely on shelters and the couches and floors of a series of family members and friends. Such families are continually at risk of having to move. High levels of mobility— and housing insecurity more generally—can heighten stress and undermine physical and mental health†(136) Another point Gould and Glied point out is that most of these homes that these children are living in will have dangerous amounts of lead, and mold or a lack of proper plumbing. Which are all not just dangerous but can cause long term effects on the child’s physical health. † Environmental toxins in a child’s home, such as mold or lead paint, can cause diseases and disabilities. Poor housing conditions may also cause family stressShow MoreRelatedThe Environment : Shaping People Into Who They Are1188 Words   |  5 PagesEnvironment: Shaping People into Who They Are A recent study conducted by Dr. Matthews, the head of Division of Child and Youth Psychiatry at Saskatoon, stated Statistically, ten percent of the young population s [behaviors] are considered abnormal (Matthews). When a child begins misbehaving, many parents struggle to understand why their child is acting that way. The root of the problem lies in the environment that the child is raised in. The development of children s behaviors is determinedRead MoreCultural Diversity At Washington Elementary School883 Words   |  4 PagesFor my 5th EDUC Lab, I had to go to a local elementary school and take a walk around its neighborhood. I was told to observe cultural diversity, types of homes surrounding the school, and answer a variety of questions regarding the kinds of students that attend the school. I was originally a bit baffled by the kinds of questions on the sheet like are there any apartment buildings near by? or where do the children get food? I thought to myself Why do these t hings matter to a school? And thenRead MoreThe Other Wes Moore : Effect Of Drugs And Violence1630 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout history, there have been good people and bad ones, and a major deciding factor in this is background. The chances of being dissatisfactory are often increased if a person has a low income or the person is living in a poor neighborhood and is a person of color. These illegal activities that are commonly found in poorer areas often lead a person down the wrong path in life. These paths are not the path to success, but a path to a jail cell. The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore demonstrates theRead MoreReasons For Dropout Of School1133 Words   |  5 PagesThere are a lot of reasons why one might dropout of School. Some people just don’t feel motivated anymore while others have external reasons, such as family issues. Whatever the reason, there is an epidemic in the American school system. African Americans are dropping out at a higher rate than any rac e. According to Cde.ca.Gov: â€Å"Every year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States alone. That’s a student every 26 seconds – or 7,000 a day†. According to Mecurynews â€Å"InRead MoreThe Problems Of Pop Up Immediately1581 Words   |  7 Pagesover the four boys while she’s at work. Second, a long-term plan for this goal would to have Kevin eventually be given the responsibility of watching his younger siblings. If there isn’t anyone who could watch them in the mean-time, I would look into child services that could get them the help they require. Another huge problem, in my opinion, is that Kevin has no one to look up to and no goals to better himself. I would try to connect Kevin with a local big brother/big sister group in hopes of findingRead MoreThe Persecution Of African Americans1171 Words   |  5 Pageseffort to keep them in a state of persecution. This paper will discuss the persecution of the African A merican. The following documents the struggles, gut wrenching pain, and heart ache of African American people have endured and are still suffering with today. Pain can stem from so far back as childhood, your parents child hood, or even as far as your ancestors child hood. My ancestors were slaves; a long with the majority of African Americans that live today. Being a slave you would endure the mostRead MoreThe Lottery by Shirley Jackson823 Words   |  3 Pages1922). This work shows how even through diversity, enslavement, discrimination, and torture the black man one day will prevail, and has held onto the hope that his reliance on God will bring him and his people through that one say they will be treated as equal. â€Å"Besides they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed- I too, am America.† (Hughes, 1922). This fight is still prevalent today because the â€Å"presumably† a black man is considered dangerous because of his neighborhood, upbringing, or becauseRead MoreIssues Of Poverty And Multicultural Education Essay1545 Words   |  7 Pagesmight even come hand in hand. In some cases, a child might have to d eal with both of these in his/her education, as well as their own learning. To teach a multicultural classroom, one much teach the diverse groups of students in a way that all cultures, ethnicities, and national heritages can learn. Incorporating poverty, including white poverty, into a multicultural classroom means that the teacher must also teach according to their backgrounds and home life. I am passionate about reaching out toRead MorePoverty Is A Hot Topic On The Current World Of Politics1467 Words   |  6 Pagesreasons. Although transportation is provided by schools, parents lack the ability to provide resources for the child to attend school, such as, food, clean clothes and school supplies. Education is very important in childhood development. In a recent article, Edward Kennedy states, â€Å"Young children s potential rests heavily on the quality of the environment in which they learn, whether at home, in day care, or in a nursery-school classroom. When the environme nt is inadequate, gaps in achievement quicklyRead MoreThe And Chicano Works Of Literature1333 Words   |  6 Pagesrejects them. Their writing express that no matter how hard the Latino community tries, they will always seem to land up where they started. They believe, â€Å"The poor can t get poorer. We can t get worst off than we already are. That s why I don t worry. The ones who have to be on their toes are the ones who are higher up. They ve got something to lose. They can end up where we re at. But for us what does it matter? (Rivera p.97) In It s that it hurts, in which the protagonist, a young boy

Secretary Law and Legal Secretaries Free Essays

When people hear the word ‘Secretary’ – I’m pretty sure they picture someone behind a desk typing. Yes, this is pretty accurate but a Secretary in whatever field is so much more (and one can indeed spend much time running between their desk and any multitude of places! ). I remember learning a spelling mnemonic of sorts at school that Secretaries keep the secrets. We will write a custom essay sample on Secretary: Law and Legal Secretaries or any similar topic only for you Order Now Now I realise it’s perhaps more to do with the word’s derivatives but it’s stuck with me! Having finished a Legal Secretaries Level 3 Diploma course in which I have an overall grade of a Merit, I have found myself privy to these ‘secrets’ and the opportunity I wanted: to expand and specialise my skills in an administrative field. It has given me a goal, having not taken the most direct job path. It can be difficult to find the right next step to take in your working life. Law is a fascinating arena, even more so ‘backstage’. It might at times seem to be a far cry from the drama of the court room but without Legal Secretaries doing their part to make a difference with their input in the office, which affects the Solicitor who passes that effect onto the client, all aiming to reach the desired result, I’m not quite sure what would happen. Sometimes I think it takes an organiser, an administrator or a (Legal) Secretary to understand another – it takes one to know one. The day to day achievements can be small, but by getting a complex subject filed comprehensively, simply giving someone the assurance that their enquiry is being looked at correctly or preparing someone thoroughly for a meeting, you in turn ensure that the client is getting the best service possible (even though you may not be attending that meeting in person). These are things that I already do but in the sphere of law they become magnified – what starts as small, indirect input evolves into an integral part of the law process. That is quite something to be part of and I look forward to it. Within my reception role, I have had over 2 years of part-time work experience of dealing with clients and solicitors in an office environment. My role included answering the phone, getting personal details from callers and transferring to the appropriate member of staff. I learned to be patient, methodical and efficient. Flexibility is one of my strengths; I am also prepared to learn new skills. I have extensive experience of using computers. I have experience of Microsoft and Microsoft Excel in which I passed exams. I have used Word to produce documents such as letters, posters and minutes. I am able to prioritise my workload. Being flexible, I also have a positive attitude. This was particularly evident at The Broadcast Monitoring where I was able to concentrate all day even when working an early morning shift which began at 6. 30am. I also undertook nightshift to cover for staff on holiday. I work well under pressure. There were many deadlines throughout the day. This also involved good written and verbal communication skills which were required when report writing and dealing with colleagues. I have found that I am able to build up close working relationships with other members of staff; most recently at my time in Chipatiso Associates (I can appreciate client confidentiality). I am a good organiser and am able to work on my own initiative. I was efficient at delegating the department workload at the Solicitors firm. I have an editorial/press reader eye for detail. I am polite and reliable, trustworthy and conscientious. How to cite Secretary: Law and Legal Secretaries, Essay examples

Talking Is Hard by Walk The Moon free essay sample

Whether you’re cruising down the highway with your friends, listening to â€Å"Different Colors,† or reminiscing over adolescent infatuation with â€Å"Sidekick,† Walk the Moon’s second studio album, â€Å"Talking Is Hard,† will leave you with a good feeling. Four years after releasing their self-titled debut, Walk the Moon has made a huge comeback. The wait has definitely been worth it. With songs like â€Å"Up 2 U† and â€Å"Avalanche,† the band builds tension for the listener and channels an older era of ’80s pop-rock. Then the robust chorus comes in and separates the vocals like an explosion of ecstasy consisting of fast guitar riffs and upbeat synthesizers. These songs will easily get embedded in your memory. Intoxicatingly sugary, upbeat songs are what Walk the Moon does best. If you’re looking for poetic or inspirational lyrics, â€Å"Talking Is Hard† may not be for you. But if you are interested in ’80s-esque synthesizers, like those in â€Å"Portugal,† or the heavy vocal harmony found in â€Å"Work This Body,† this album is perfect. We will write a custom essay sample on Talking Is Hard by Walk The Moon or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The boy-meets-girl storyline in â€Å"Shut Up and Dance† evokes images similar to the band’s debut single â€Å"Anna Sun.† It is the perfect disco-?flavored summertime track we have all been unknowingly waiting for. You will be air-guitaring and dancing along before you know it! Another fun song is â€Å"Spend Your $$$.† It has a message that’s almost parodic but is very true. Loud guitars, humorous lyrics, and fast-paced drumbeats animate this song. Other tracks include â€Å"Come Under The Covers,† a slow, relationship-focused tune, and â€Å"Aquaman,† which has a relaxing, island-paradise vibe. â€Å"Down in the Dumps† is another cut that delivers on almost every level. It may seem slow at first, but the drums quickly kick in and the chorus turns into a riptide that doesn’t let you go. One of my favorites is â€Å"We Are the Kids.† With the lyrics â€Å"There’s mud on my shoes, there’s sun on my skin/I am brand new/We shout at the cops, we howl at the moon,† the song leaves listeners with a nostalgic, young-and-reckless feeling. Talking may be hard for the Cincinnati-based quartet, but their music speaks for itself. Their flavorful synth solos, quirky lyrics, and intoxicating guitar riffs culminate in happy-go-lucky tunes that leave a smile on your face and a song stuck in your head.