UK Teacher Numbers Drop by 10,000 in a Year

UK Teacher Numbers Drop by 10,000 in a Year The OE Blog A startling new government statistic revealed on the BBC News website has shown that the number of state school teachers in England has plummeted by 10,000 in a single year. Education Cuts The news comes amid rising fears that deep cuts to the education budget might be having an adverse impact on the quality of teaching throughout the English education system. First we saw lecturers and senior university teaching staff fighting for their jobs, leading to increased higher education class sizes and a competitive market system introduced for university places. Many feared this might lead to the commercialisation of the university sector, with the focus subsequently switching from academic excellence to customer satisfaction and value for money, as cuts forced universities to compete for applicants. Now commentators fear that a similar climate of belt-tightening is having an impact further down the education system, as the news of this sudden drop in teacher numbers is greeted by explanations of tight budgets and difficult financial decisions. The suggestion seems to be that with less money to go around, fewer teachers can be hired and many are even losing their jobs. Department for Education Excuses Ironically, the Department for Education told the BBC News website that the reason for the apparently shocking drop in numbers was simply the fact that many schools are becoming academies and thus organising teacher employment independently of the state system. But with more than half of schools in England applying for academy status, this seems unlikely to be the reason, as the 10,000 figure doesn’t seem high enough to fit such an explanation. In addition, it is ironic that the Department for Education should cite academies as a reassurance, when many of those concerned about the failing English state school system are particularly worried about the diversion of funds into new academies rather than focusing on the improvement of already unsatisfactory state school facilities. Downgrading Staff? Another interesting statistic that may shed some light on the problem is the news that the number of teaching assistants in English schools has trebled in the past decade. This strongly suggests echoes of the same situation we have seen spreading throughout other employment sectors since the onset of the recession, where more senior, highly-paid employees are gradually decreased as younger, less-experienced staff are brought in in low-paid roles to replace them at a cheaper rate. This is similar to the problem in the business world at the moment where many university graduates are finding themselves working their socks off in unpaid internships as companies juggle lower budgets but try to achieve the same high work output. Whatever the reason, such a dramatic drop in teacher numbers is unlikely to be allowed to be swept under the carpet â€" the Department for Education is going to have some more explaining to do before too long.

The Islamic State Of Iraq And Syria - 1592 Words

The radical Islamic terrorist organization, recently re-titled â€Å"the Islamic State,† has existed under several names since the 1990s. Its history is an epic of how modern terrorism progressed from a religious and political ideal into an obliterating cult. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a properly-armed group that is a threat to the global security. ISIS, whose merciless members delight in murdering innocent people, must be destroyed before its fanatical followers carry out further genocides. There is an ongoing debate on whether the United States ought to take stronger military actions against the extremist organization, ISIS, or not. Supposing that the United State does not act promptly, ISIS will fortify its territory and†¦show more content†¦They are sacrificing natural laws and human mortality in their pursuit to prevent corruption. ISIS forbids freedom of speech and implements their laws by force, ignoring the fact that every individual has the right to speak for themselves. By viciously persecuting those of different races and religions, ISIS implements extreme forms of Islamic law in the regions it controls (â€Å"Islamic State (ISIS)†). For instance, recently ISIS has carried out a mass beheading of twenty-one Christian, Egyptian individuals living in Libya and continually murder anyone who refuses to convert to Islam or refuses to follow their extreme regulations of Islam. Apart from extorting Iraq, the Islamic state sell Iraqis artifacts and tax civilians, to raise funds to carry out its unlawful movements (â€Å"Islamic State (ISIS)†). ISIS commits countless activities that are prohibited by many constitutional laws set in developed countries. Since the United States’ army has been involved in many major world wars, in addition to the Korean, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, it ought to be involved in the Global War on Terrorism to aid many innocent civilians who are being tortured without a cause. To remain as a world power and to secure its status and position in foreign countries, the United States is obliged to take a strong action against this radical group, remembering that if ISIS continues to spread there is no doubt that they will reach the west and United States’ borders.

Psychological Perspectives And Related Research Studies

An outline and evaluation of three psychological perspectives and related research studies Introduction The behaviourist approach transformed psychology in 1913 when John Watson put forward the theory that psychology should be about the study of observable behaviour ignoring all mental processes such as thoughts and emotions (Malim 1998). He viewed introspection as not being a reliable and objective method for psychological study and believed the aim of psychology should be to understand and control behaviour (ibid). He proposed that psychology should be seen as a science using controlled variables within experimentation (McLeod 2007a). This scientific approach made for a dependable method of assessing behaviour, however, critics of this approach argued that this method created artificial situations holding little ecological validity (ibid). Behaviourists also believe we are all born a blank slate and that all behaviour is determined from learning from a person’s own environmental experiences either through classical conditioning, associating an external stimulus and a behaviour al response, or through operant conditioning, association via consequences where behaviour is shaped through reward or punishment (Malim 1998). However this belief doesn’t take into account a person’s spontaneity, creativity or their ability to solve problems without the time consuming trial and error process that behaviourists believe is necessary (ibid). Furthermore it fails to take intoShow MoreRelatedLow Socioeconomic Status Essay1566 Words   |  7 Pagesone’s psychological well-being is well established. Prior studies show that low-SES not only impacts individuals’ mental well-being, but also affects their children’s developmental trajectories. This paper reviews one of these numerous studies and further discusses the influences of parental SES on one’s life outcomes, as well as intergenerational mobility and achievement gap through a developmental perspective. In particular, the study reviewed in this paper is a sequential research study whichRead MoreAdult And Early Intimate Partner Violence1586 Words   |  7 PagesThis essay will begin with a brief overview of attachment theory in adults and early intimate partner violence (IPV) research. After discussing this I will evaluate more research on different topics related to issues raised previously which include controlled studies, female violence, homosexual violence, the role of the victim and finally predictive research. These topics are the focus of this essays understanding of the different ways in which we understand IPV. Attachment theory was originallyRead MoreThe Field of Psychology840 Words   |  3 PagesPsychology is a discipline of social science that encompasses nearly every aspect of the human experience. The field of psychology addresses the entire gamut of human behavior and the complexities of emotion. Issues related to perception and cognition are included in psychological research. Neurobiology and neurophysiology also fall under the rubric of psychology. At the same time, psychology embraces less quantifiable variables in the human experience, such as emotional responses and altered statesRead MoreThe Effects Of Psychological Contract On The Human Resource Management Discipline1047 Words   |  5 Pages The psychological contract describes the relationship between employer and employee in terms of the unwritten, informal and implicit expectations that exist in the workplace (D’Annunzio-Green Francis, 2005). There are vast amounts of literature surrounding the psychological contract and its many impacts on the Human Resource Management discipline (Cullinane Dundon, 2006). It is suggested that the formation of the psychological contract begins in the recruitment process (Rousseau, 1990), andRead MoreObjectification Of Women And Women1462 Words   |  6 Pagesrepresentations of men and women and how they are related to levels of sexism and psychological well-being. The literature on objectification has mostly indicated the connection between viewing objectified media representations and women’s body displeasure and motivation to achieve a slim body. The goal of the current study was to further past research by studying the effects of objectified media images – considering both male and female models– on psychological well-being, self-regard, and support of sexistRead MoreNegative Effects Of Social Media1350 Words   |  6 Pagesuse of social media from many perspectives based on the academic discipline they were in. As their perspectives differed, they reached to different conclusions: some scholars concluded that the use of social media had positive impacts and that it was a helpful tool. On the other hand, many other scholars found out about various negative effects of social media and argued that the use of social media was not beneficial and that it created harm. On the psychological side, social media seems to beRead MoreAdolescent Psychology Essay 31067 Words   |  5 PagesWilhelm Wundt Question: What Is Psychology? One of the most common questions asked by students new to the study of psychology is What is psychology? Misperceptions created by popular media as well as the diverse careers paths of those holding psychology degrees have contributed this confusion. Psychology is both an applied and academic field that studies the human mind and behavior. Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain thought, emotion, and behavior. Applications of psychologyRead MoreResearch With Foster Children : Ethical Dilemmas1135 Words   |  5 PagesResearch with foster children Ethical dilemmas are one of the many sensitive issues that come with doing psychological research with human participants. As seen in several famous psychology studies such as the Stanford prison experiment, Milgram experiment, and Tuskegee experiment, ethics in psychological studies are important to protect both the individuals being subjected to research and the researcher. While these specific experiments did not include children, it does bring up an important conversationRead MoreFoundations of Psychology771 Words   |  4 PagesPsychology Psychology is an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. There is some tension between scientific psychology (with its program of empirical research) and applied psychology (dealing with a number of areas). Psychologists attempt to explain the mind and brain in the context of real life. In contrast neurologists utilize a physiological approach. Psychologists study such phenomena as perception, cognition, emotion, personality, behavior, andRead MoreThe Theories Of The Theory Of Psychology1493 Words   |  6 PagesBritish political philosopher named John Locke had re-disputed over this topic within the 1600s, allowing more ideas that contributed to the foundations of Psychology. Important milestones within psychology’s early development was when the first psychological laboratory in 1879 in Germany by a man named Wilhelm Wundt. Soon after, psychology was organized into different categories of structuralism, functionalism, and behaviorism. Although, the first two schools were only about structuralism and functionalism

Value of Diversity in the Workplace Free Essays

The global workplace has made diversity a significant issue. Companies have to adjust how they operate so they can accommodate the diverse customer base that is growing. It is important for any organization to consist of employees who can bring different skills, abilities, and culture to workplace. We will write a custom essay sample on Value of Diversity in the Workplace or any similar topic only for you Order Now Developing effective intercultural communication within the workplace will allow the connection between employees and customers with different cultural backgrounds and languages. Introduction In today’s society, a diverse workforce is needed to accommodate the different multicultural backgrounds that make it up. The value of diversity in a workplace is important because of the different sets of skills and backgrounds a company has to offer when trying to solve conflicts and provide effective solutions. This paper will recap an incident that happened at an insurance agency because of the lack of diversity, along with the ramifications, and strategies that may have facilitated a more successful resolution. Diversity issue in the workplace I have experienced how lack of diversity in the workplace can cause conflict for the organization. A few years back I worked for an insurance agency in south Louisiana. The agency consisted of the head agent and owner, who is a male, and four women who worked for him, to include myself. One day a Hispanic couple came in to purchase some insurance policies for their home and vehicles. The issue was the couple spoke only Spanish. The percentage of Hispanics in south Louisiana was very low at the time and there was not a high demand for bilingual employees who spoke Spanish. Because of the lack of diversity in the office, none of the employees spoke fluent Spanish to help the potential new customers. The employees who knew a little Spanish tried to communicate as best they could but to no avail. The couple became very angry at the insurance agency’s poor attempt to communicate with them. They left the office outraged and stated that would never recommend this company to anyone. Ramifications As a result of this lack of diversity in the insurance agency, the agency itself, employees, and potential customers were impacted. The agency lost a customer and revenue because of a lack of diversity in the office. Not only did the company lose one customer but also the potential of future customers that may be recommended from the couple. This issue left the employees upset and stressed about not being able to help a customer. Since the start of business the agency has been a customer- oriented company, and has taken pride in providing the best customer service in the area. This situation left the owner distraught because he lost potential income for his business. To make matters worse, the couple filed a complaint against the agency for not having a bilingual employee in the office. The agency had never received a negative complaint for customer service. Strategies. Diversity in the workplace can help companies avoid unnecessary issues in the workplace. Diversity also gives the company leverage over their competitors. In smaller companies a lack of diversity is almost inevitable, but if approached in the right way it can be avoided. The diversity issue the insurance agency was faced with could have been resolved if the agency had been aware of the influx of the Hispanic population in south Louisiana. In order to stay ahead of the competition, the agency should have kept up on the different types of people moving into the area. In order for the insurance agency to address the lack of diversity for the possibility of future occurrences, the hiring protocol the agency follows will need to be modified. â€Å"A diverse collection of skills and experiences (e. g. languages, cultural understanding) allows a company to provide service to customers on a global basis† (Greenburg, 2004). The possible issue that may arise from this protocol is finding a qualified person with this skill. This approach though would not benefit the agency right away because of the low turn around of employees and the low number of employees the agency is able to keep employed. Another way to address the issue would be for the insurance agency to pay for at least one, if not all, of the employees to attend a class that teaches the Spanish language. This task may be hard for the insurance agency to complete because of funding and for the employees because of extra time needed to attend the class. For the future, this type of training would benefit the insurance agency by increasing the potential number of customers it can provide a service to. Conclusion Diversity is becoming a necessity in the workplace in today’s global working environment. A multicultural society forces companies to employ a diverse workforce so they can adapt â€Å"to fluctuating markets and customer demands† (Greenburg, 2004). Having a diverse workforce will appeal to a larger diverse customer base that will benefit the growth for any company. References Greenberg, J. (2004). Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges and Solutions. The Multicultural Advantage: Career Management and Job Info for Professionals from Diverse Backgrounds. Retrieved from http://www. multiculturaladvantage. com/recruit/diversity/Diversity-in-the-Workplace-Benefits-Challenges-Solutions. asp How to cite Value of Diversity in the Workplace, Papers

Invasion Of Privacy Essays - Human Rights, Digital Rights

Invasion of Privacy Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. - U.S Constitution, First Amendment The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. - U.S. Constitution, Fourth Amendment - It's two o'clock on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon and your sleeping in your dorm room. The ringing of the telephone awakens you. You drudgingly get out of bed and pick up the phone and say, Hello! The voice on the other end says, Hi. This is Robert from the Stony Brook Intranet Monitoring Board and we have noticed that there has been illegal usage of university bandwidth from your computer. You are startled and you ask, What are you talking about? I have no idea, what you are talking about? The voice responds, We have been monitoring the university network and we have noticed that so-and-so from Hand College in room 417A has been receiving or downloading mp3s and other files from your computer. Surprised, you answer, Really? I didn't even know. The voice on the other end responds, Please take off any and all illegal information or data that you may have up on the network or else we will have to take action. Unsure about what he means, you say, Ok. I'll do it right away. You quickly h ang up and turn off your computer. You think to yourself, have they been monitoring everything I've been doing on my computer? This is a true story that occurs on the campuses of many colleges and universities around the country. The tale brings up a controversial debate on the rights of citizens as well as the rights of students. The major question, which is brought to attention, is that do educational institutions have the right to monitor what goes on in the school's network or is it an invasion of privacy to monitor the students? We live in a time, which we call the Information Age. Our society is evolving and progressing striving to obtain any and all information that exists in the world. The advances in the telecommunication technology have made it faster and easier to communicate and transmit information. During our march toward a more informed society, the right to privacy has been illegally violated and trampled. Schools have no right to search their student's computers for mp3s or any other information. Prohibited by the Fourth Amendment from making secret searches, law-enforcement and in this case educational institutions must announce themselves before entering and only seize property after showing the students a warrant. These illegal monitoring of student activity between computers could be seen as the same thing as eavesdropping on telephone conversations, which is illegal. Another issue regarding the violation of rights through the monitoring of student activity on the network is that the overhead supervision violates First Amendment rights, specifically the freedom of speech and freedom of press. What if the students created websites that contained mp3s on it? These websites would be uploaded on the school's network but would that give the school the right to censor or monitor what's being put up on the school's network? This question brings up concerns of the student's rights. It should be noted that when student's create a website, they are actually publishing a website. If the university was to censor or monitor the information being put on the website it would be a violation of a citizen's freedom of press. The question that comes up is that does a student lose some of his God-given rights when he becomes a student at a public or private educational institution. Students do have rights but once they have been registered into the universities databases they have to follow the restrictions and guidelines set forth by the school. Since students are placing their mp3s and other data on

Killer Angels by Walter Dean meyers essays

Killer Angels by Walter Dean meyers essays Expecting the unexpected is the perfect phrase that matches the historical but fictional novel, Fallen Angels. Richie Perry , the protagonist, had just joined the army and later fought for several months on 1967 and 1968 in the Vietnam War. When he first joined though, the author, Walter Dean Myers, gave Richie illusions to how war was supposed to be. Richie, like other soldiers in the novel, expected wars to be just like movies and stories. They always showed battles as heroic, glorious, etc. But during that time at war, those illusions were hardly close to the reality of what war was supposed to be. As a result, Richie found himself struggling to come to terms with the horrifying reality of war, which contradicts the myths about the war that he At first, Richie didnt want to let go of his beliefs on war. He believed that the good, smart, and careful soldiers were the ones that always survived while death came to enemies, unskilled soldiers, and just all-around bad people. The longer he stayed fighting in the war was the more he realized how wrong he was. Death, to him, was now unfair and random. One example of how death was unfair and random would be by a man named of Jenkins. Jenkins was young man who went to war only because his father wanted him to. He spent about two days in the war and as a result, he got killed instantly by stepping on a hidden landmine. This death was unfair because it wasnt his decision to go to war and he had no control over his death. It was random also because he had went through a little battle and later died just when he and the rest of the soldiers with him were reentering their camp. Richie also believed that life in the army would be much more simple than complex. He believed that all the soldiers would be heroic, glorious, and the army would have a lot of help and ...

The Role of the Congress in U.S. Foreign Policy

The Role of the Congress in U.S. Foreign Policy As with virtually all U.S. government policy decisions, the executive branch, including the president, and Congress share responsibility in what ideally is a collaboration on foreign policy issues. Congress controls the purse strings, so it has significant influence over all kinds of federal issues including foreign policy. Most important is the oversight role played by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The House and Senate Committees The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has a special role to play because the Senate must approve all treaties and nominations to key foreign policy postings and make decisions about legislation in the foreign policy arena. An example is the usually intense questioning of a nominee to be secretary of state by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Members of that committee have a great deal of influence over how U.S. foreign policy is conducted and who represents the United States around the world. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has less authority, but it still plays an important role in passing the foreign affairs budget and in investigating how that money is used. Senate and House members often travel abroad on fact-finding missions to places deemed vital to U.S. national interests. War Powers Certainly, the most important authority given to Congress overall is the power to declare war and to raise and support the armed forces. The authority is granted in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution. But this congressional power as granted by the Constitution has always been a flashpoint of tension between the Congress and the presidents constitutional role as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. It came to a boiling point in 1973, in the wake of the unrest and divisiveness caused by the Vietnam War, when Congress passed the controversial War Powers Act over the veto of President Richard Nixon to address situations where sending U.S. troops abroad could result in involving them in armed action and how the president could carry out military  action while still keeping Congress in the loop. Since the passage of the War Powers Act, presidents have viewed it as an unconstitutional infringement on their executive powers, reports the Law Library of Congress, and it has remained surrounded by controversy. Lobbying Congress, more than any other part of the federal government, is the place where special interests seek to have their issues addressed. And this creates a large lobbying and policy-crafting industry, much of which is focused on foreign affairs. Americans concerned about Cuba, agricultural imports, human rights, global climate change, immigration, among many other issues, seek out members of the House and Senate to influence legislation and budget decisions.