Theory for Film Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Theory for Film Practice - Essay Example Film form is thought to be the overall system of particular relations that can be found among the film’s elements. While all of them are classified either as narrative or stylistic, in this paper I will focus on the latter. To stylistic elements, mise en scene, editing, cinematography, and sound are referred (Keuthan). When the sound was introduced to the silent cinema back in 1927, its integration became the subject of hot debate ranging from passionate approval to criticism expressed by film critics of the time. Indeed, as Dale observes, â€Å"sound invasion in the cinema brought about many crises†, so that the techniques used to produce silent films were subject to complete revision (Dale 637). In the centre of the continuous debate was the role and necessity of sound, if it was thought necessary at all. While the public immediately fell in love with the sound film, a lot of film directors, aestheticians and many film critics argued that integration of sound in the f ilm â€Å"was a disaster that would destroy the cinema as a unique art form† (Fabe 59). Opposing the views expressed by the early sound theorists that sound creates obstacles to better conveying the film’s message, this paper contends that sound is crucial to conveying the film’s message through imagery. Let us first discuss the arguments by the early sound theorists against the integration of the spoken word into the cinema. In particular, the aesthetic disadvantages of the new technology need to be observed. Having done this, I will focus on pro-sound arguments developed by another set of film theorists at that time, as well as make references to the contemporary theory of film sound. One of the most passionate anti-sound theorists was Bela Balasz. He contended that the primacy of image ensures deep communicative force of the film. Since speech is far less expressive than the body language that accompanies it, the integration of the spoken word into the cinema would lead to audience’s desensitizing. To illustrate, Balasz said, â€Å"The silent film is free of the isolating walls of language difference. If we look at and understand each other’s faces and gestures, we not only understand, we also learn to feel each other’s emotions† (Balasz as quoted in Fabe 60). Similarly, the film theoretician and historian of art Rudolph Arnheim argued against the inclusion of literal voices into film supporting his argument with the claim that images themselves speak. Moreover, Arhnheim not only advocated the anti-sound position, he called for the silent film’s return. Close analysis of Arnheim’s views helps to understand the essence of most radical anti-sound views in the film theory. In his well-known essay â€Å"A New Laocoon: Artistic Composites and the Talking Film† written back in 1938, Arhneim discusses the irrelevance of spoken word in a film. One of his arguments is that the use of sound at the then level of technological development created to the feeling of uneasiness caused by the fact the attention of the audience was torn in two opposite directions. Specifically, Arnheim contends that in a film two different media are struggling with each other to express one thing rather than exerting a united effort and capture the message. The coincidence of these fighting voices results in violation of aesthetic laws by films with sound, as Arnheim posits it (Arnheim 164). Partially sharing Arnheim’s critical views on the use of spoken word in

Motivation in Work Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Motivation in Work Place - Essay Example , cultural orientation of employees decides the value system of employees which directly influence their motivation level to perform a specific work in workplace. For example, employees in USA get motivated by recognition, financial reward, workplace challenge, success etc whereas employees of Taiwan emphasize more on work-life balance and interpersonal relationships (Su, 2006). It is evident from the theoretical argument of research scholars that managers of modern organization face challenge to motivate all the employees in equal magnitude to perform well, hence the study has decided to investigate contemporary management issues regarding employee motivation in the workplace and find how managers are responding to those issues. Identifying the management skills for managers which will help them to motivate employees in efficient manner will also be the key purpose of this report. Contemporary Management Issue Research scholars such as Kinicki and Kreitner (2007) and Chen and France sco (2003) have stated that linking employee satisfaction to employee motivation is one of the contemporary challenges that face modern managers. According to Koys (2001), diversified nature of the workforce has created challenge for managers to maintain a satisfied workforce who are motivated enough to perform in effective manner. Another contemporary challenges manager’s face is to develop an organizational culture which can keep employees motivated. Third contemporary issues manager to face is to link culture of innovation as a source for motivation for employees in the workplace. Three contemporary issues for managers can be summarized in the following manner. Contemporary Issue 1- Creating an organizational policy can help an employee to be satisfied and motivated in the workplace.... This report makes a good example of the organizational culture of Google. Fortunate magazine has referred Google as best organization to work for; there are reasons behind such ambitious claims. For example managers in Google have created a working environment which can help workers to get motivated automatically, there is a website named as "Google Ideas" where workers can submit their ideas and recommendation regarding product development or any issues pertinent to improvement of organizational culture. Managers carefully examine the potentiality of suggestions made by employees and use the potential ideas by actively engaging employees who gave the suggestion while developing new products. Products like Google News, Froogle, Gmail and Google+ were created in the above mentioned process. It is evident from the above example that managers of Google have emphasized on creating intrinsic motivation for workers by reshaping its work culture To end this discussion the study will cite the example of Bonaventure Agata, who has dedicated his life to healthcare. According to Bonaventure, managers and leaders need to be honest to their subordinates and make sure that subordinates actually believe that their leader truly understand their problems). Hence modern managers need to be engaged with their workers in order to motivate them. Managers need to communicate the career opportunity in the organization to an employee in clear and concise manner. In some cases, managers should act as mentor for young employees who have the potential to handle higher job responsibility in future.

Tips for Effective Oral Presentations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Tips for Effective Oral Presentations - Essay Example In this easy, some tips on how to make an effective presentation are discussed. The issue of stage fright, which is a major hindrance to making an effective oral presentation and how to manage it, is also discussed. At the end of this discussion, there should be clarity on how one can make an effective oral presentation. Keywords: Oral Presentation, Effective, Stage Fright Introduction When making an oral presentation, it is very important for one to be able to present thoughts and ideas effectively. Oral presentations are usually very popular in job interviews, and especially when one starts working (Gupta, 2008). So everyone is encouraged to practice oral presentation even before friends and family so as to perfect the skill before the very important time. Ones ability in this area can either make or break his or her career. This is because a person can be very hard working in the job he or she is doing, but if he or she does not have good skills in oral presentation, his or her gr owth will not be seen (Aquino, 2008). There are people who have a certain potential for communication, but this does not mean that they are good at oral presentation. The techniques involved would be very beneficial to such people, to sharpen up their skills more. Effective oral presentation skills make a person more popular among colleagues, for example, a manager who has good skills in oral presentation is likely to be popular among his juniors (Gupta, 2008). What is Oral Presentation? Most of the time, people tend to confuse oral communication with oral presentation, but the two are totally different. According to Gupta, â€Å"oral communication is an interactive process of sharing information† (2008, p. 91) with people. Oral presentation on the other hand refers to a proper way of transmitting messages to an audience. It is important to note that effective oral presentations are important for the growth of a company or organization one is working for, especially when the partners or donors of the funds are present. Characteristics of an Effective Oral Presentation Purposeful: When being composed, an oral presentation should be directed to a definite purpose and one that is clear, because it is aimed at conveying a message to the audience (Rizvi, 2005). Interactive: Any oral presentation should involve the speaker, as well as the audience (Rizvi, 2005). Formal: This is what differentiates oral presentation from other forms of presentations. As said earlier, it is usually emphasized during job interviews. Thus, it is usually used in formal situations. Audience Oriented: This means that the topic has to be dealt with from the perspective of the audience (Rizvi, 2005). Importance of an Effective Oral Presentation Employers usually put great emphasis on oral presentation skills, than in any other form of communication skills. Gupta asserts that an oral presentation has the potential to educate, inspire and persuade more effectively than any other individ ual mode of communication (2008). At some point in ones career, he or she may be asked to make a presentation, and this is the reason why most of the business people rank oral presentation skills as among the most important factors responsible for their success. A good oral presentation can work wonders for any person who is looking for lucrative job offer from a company he or she has dreamt of working with

Production Method in Chicken Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Production Method in Chicken Industry - Essay Example In a wider point of view, some people may know utilitarianism as way to contrary Human Rights but utilitarian have answered to most of these questions or at least tried to bring a justification to disavow these ideas.7 "Utilitarianism consists of two doctrines: A theory of what is Right, and a theory of what is Good."8. In the first section of this case study we will try to bring enough justification via utilitarian principles to persuade the consumers that the Supply Chain's position is in the best form of it in the current situation of the Chicken Industry in the United Kingdom. (poultry) being cheaper in our supermarkets today than twenty years ago. The supply chain of the industry consists of four key elements, the breeders, the factory farmers, the abattoirs/packers and the supermarkets. Consumer groups have in recent times been critical of every stage of the supply chain. The RSPCA considers "suffering of broiler chickens as one of the most pressing animal welfare issues in the UK today". Fifty percent of chickens entering the food chain are also known to carry campylobacter; a cause of food poisoning. Supermarkets have been criticised for using chicken in marketing promotions such as "buy one get one free" that cause farmers substantial loss of income."9 As mentioned before utilitarianism consists of two doctrines. The first one or "What is right" is actually Varieties of "Consequentialism". The first one is "Act Consequentialism" that states that an action is right only if it brings us benefits no matter if is a wrong decision. In our case study, the supply chain decides to sell the products in any way to prevent serious detriment to the whole system in long run no matter if it harms the consumer or cause farmers substantial loss of income. The best decision is the decision that gives the supply chain a benefit or prevents huge detriment. It is not important if a minority hurts or even become sacrificed. Farmers does hurt but they are a minority of the population. Customers hurt too but the supply chain decides to give them some incentive such as bringing the price to 50% via "buy one get one free" policy. This way, the chain and the consumers are happy but the farmers are not. This isn't much fair but it

Global Crimes Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Crimes Analysis - Research Paper Example As a result, there is comparison and contrast of the various international criminal justice systems especially on addressing the major global crimes and criminal issues. Addressing some major global crimes Gangs provide significant contribution to crime activities such as firearms transactions and violence, drug sales and use, home invasions, car theft, homicide, graffiti, and other related major crimes in the world (Muraskin & Roberts, 2009). To address these issues, Muraskin and Roberts exemplified four generic programs such as prevention, intervention, suppression, and comprehensive strategies. In the US and even the world, punishments integrated with the justice systems are the usual way on how society addressed global crimes (Muraskin & Roberts, 2009). Furthermore, according to Muraskin and Roberts, in the US justice system so as to address major crimes especially those associated with terroristic acts, policy to address them requires sophistication and resources. This means, th e US has to advance further especially within its justice system when it comes to addressing global crimes. In the case of US’s war on drugs, which has become global, some advocates believe that there is a need for policy improvement and development in the justice system (Waller, 2009). For instance, based on Waller’s book, since the number of incarcerated law offenders is in an upward spiral in the US, taking for instance the figure from 1980 to 2001 which is 1,300 percent, it has become one of the bases for legalization of possession or sale of marijuana, cocaine and opium. According to some experts as pointed out from the book of Waller, this should be a remarkable indication that the US justice system has eventually failed on its war on drugs, which at some point have resulted to social consequences. At this point, Waller presents some significant facts that it is important to understand that the only means US could promote effective implementation of its policy as sociated with its war on drugs is to encourage the entire world to have its stand to fight on illegal possession and use of prohibited drugs. However, it is not only on fight against drugs is active in its participation. In fact, the fight against terrorism is not just a main concern of the US and the essential proof of this is the emancipation of international standards in the detaining of suspects in the said country (Hakimi, 2009). On the other hand, European governments are against transnational organized crime particularly on smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, and trafficking of firearms, which eventually lead to anti-political campaign for anti-trafficking interventions (Anderson & Andrijasevic, 2008). Although economic incentives are of primary importance in the organization of organized crime, non-economic nature associated with it such as cultural, social, and political issues are also remarkable prior to understanding and policing it (Arsovska & Kostakos, 2008) . There are many reasons why modern form of human slave in a form of sex trafficking and slave labor continue to persist today and these include debt as tool of manipulation, fraudulent practices which associate middle-men brokering across international boundaries, weak laws and weak enforcement of them, sponsorship laws in Persian Gulf States, lack of understanding of human

Great Expectations Essay Example for Free

Great Expectations Essay Why have the soldiers actually come to the Gargery house? – They are there to get a pair of 5. handcuffs fixed. 6. When the two convicts are found, what are they doing? – They are fighting. 7. What does the second convict claim the first convict tried to do to him? – He claims he tried to 7. murder him 8. How does Joe feel toward the first convict? – He is sympathetic; he doesn’t mind him eating the 8. pork pie if it meant he wouldn’t starve. 9. Who takes the blame for stealing the food from Mrs. Joe? – The first convict takes the blame. 10. Where are the convicts taken? – They are taken back to the prison ship. Great Expectations: Chapters 6 and 7 Questions 1. Why didnt Pip tell Joe the truth concerning the convict and the theft? – He was scared he’d lose 1. Joe’s trust. 2. What is probably the reason that Joe married Pips sister? – He probably married her to help 2. raise Pip. 3. What does Mr. Wopsles great-aunt run in the evenings? – She runs night school. 4. Even though Pip attends the evening school, who actually teaches Pip how to read and write? 4. Biddy teaches him how to read and write. 5. What does Pip find out about Joes education? – He finds out Joe never attended school. 6. What is the only word that Joe can read? – He can only read â€Å"Jo†. 7. Pip agrees to help Joe learn to read and write. Why must they keep it a secret from Mrs. Joe? 7. She may think Joe will want to rise and rebel against her. 8. What news do Uncle Pumblechook and Mrs. Joe bring home to Pip? – He says Miss Havisham 8. wants Pip to play at her house. 9. What does Miss Havisham ask Pip to come there to do? – She wants him to play there. 10. Who first takes Pip to Miss Havishams house? Mr. Pumblechook takes Pip first. Great Expectations: Chapters 8 and 9 Questions 1. What is the meaning of Satis? It means â€Å"Enough†. 2. At what time have all the clocks in Miss Havishams house stopped? – They have stopped at 20 2. minutes to 9. 3. Who opens the gate to let Pip in at Miss Havishams? – Estella let’s Pip in. 4. What game does Pip play with Estella? Beggar my neighbor is the game they play. 5. How is Miss Havisham dressed? She is dressed in a fine, but aged bridal dress. 6. How does Estella hurt Pips feelings? – Estella is unkind to him and insults him. 7. Who does Pip imagine he sees hanging from a beam in the brewery? He imagines he sees Miss 7. Havisham hanging there. 8. Why does Pip lie to Mrs. Joe and Uncle Pumblechook about his day at Miss Havish ms? He 8. wouldn’t be believed, he didn’t understand everything there himself, and he didn’t want to talk 8. about it with Mrs. Joe. 9. Pip cannot lie to whom? – Pip can’t lie to Joe. 10. On what subject does Joe lecture Pip? – He lectures him about telling lies. Great Expectations: Chapters 10 and 11 Questions 1. What does the mysterious stranger at the Three Jolly Bargemen stir his drink with? He stirs it 1. with a file. 2. What does the stranger give to Pip? He gives Pip two pounds. 3. How does Estella treat Pip in these two chapters? She is very unkind and insulting. 4. What is the Three Jolly Bargemen? – It is a pub. 5. Who are the people waiting with Pip in the large room at Miss Havishams? – They are relatives 5. of Miss Havisham 6. On what occasion are these people visiting Miss Havisham? It is Miss Havisham’s birthday. 7. Describe what Pip sees on the bri dal table. – He saw a bridal cake (though he didn’t know at 7. first) covered with cobwebs. 8. Where does Miss Havisham want to be laid when she is dead? She wants to be laid on the 8. bridal table. . What does Miss Havisham ask Pip to do on this visit? She asks him to play cards again with 9. Estella. 10. What do Pip and the pale young gentleman do? They fight. Great Expectations: Chapters 12 and 13 Questions 1. What does Pip worry about before he returns to Miss Havishams? He worries about being 1. punished for fighting. 2. What do Miss Havisham and Pip do every visit? – Pip pushed her in her wheelchair around her 2. Room. 3. Why does Miss Havisham ask Pip to bring Joe to her house? She wants Pip to become Joe’s 3. apprentice. 4. What does apprenticeship mean? It means to be bound to master to learn a trade. 5. What does Miss Havisham pay Joe for Pips apprenticeship? She pays him 25 pounds. 6. How does Joe embarrass Pip at Miss Havishams? -He has a crude appearance and rough speech. 7. Who does Pip confide in? Pip confides in Biddy. 8. What does Miss Hav isham instruct Estella to do? She instructs her to â€Å"break their hearts†. 9. Who takes the credit for Pips apprenticeship? Mr. Pumblechook takes credit for it. 10. How does Pip feel about his apprenticeship to Joe? – Pip is disappointed in it. Great Expectations: Chapters 14 and 15 Questions 1. Why does Pip want to educate Joe? He wants to educate Joe so that â€Å"he might be worthier of 1. my society and less open to Estella’s reproach. † 2. What is the reason Pip gives Joe for wanting to return to Miss Havishams? –He says he wants to 2. thank Miss Havisham 3. What is the real reason he wants to return to Miss Havishams? He wishes to see Estella. 4. Who meets Pip at Miss Havishams gate? He meets Sarah Pocket. 5. Where is Estella? She is â€Å"Abroad†. 6. When does Miss Havisham invite Pip to return? She invites him to return on his birthday. 7. What is the name of Joes journeyman at the forge? The journeyman is Dolge Orlick. 8. Who causes the fight between Orlick and Joe? Mrs. Joe causes the fight. 9. Who joins Pip and Mr. Wopsle on their walk home? Orlick joins them. 10. What happens at home while Pip is in the village? – Mrs. Joe was attacked. Great Expectations: Chapters 16 and 17 Questions 1. What important piece of evidence w as left beside Mrs. Joes body? – A leg iron was next to her. 2. Mrs. Joe lives, but how is she afflicted? – She has brain damage and is unable to talk. 3. What does Mrs. Joe repeatedly draw on her slate? – She draws a T shape. 4. When Mrs. Joe draws this figure, who does she want to see? She wants to see Orlick. 5. What does the T represent? – It represents a hammer. 6. Who are the two people Pip suspects could be Mrs. Joes attacker? –Orlick or the strange man 6. he saw at the pub. 7. Who comes to live at the forge and cares for Mrs. Joe? –Biddy comes to live at the forge. 8. When Pip returns to see Miss Havisham on his birthday, what does she give him? – He is given a 8. guinea 9. Who does Pip confide in that he wants to be a gentleman? – He tells Biddy. 10. What is the reason that Pip wants to be a gentleman? – He says he is unhappy with his place in 10. life Great Expectations: Chapter 18 and 19 Questions 1. Who informs Pip that he has Great Expectations? – Pip is informed by Mr. Jaggers. 2. What are the three stipulations of the inheritance? – He will be raised as a gentleman, cannot 2. know the identity of the person giving him his fortune, and his acceptance of the other conditions. 3. Who is to be Pips guardian while he is in London? – Mr. Jaggers is to be Pip’s guardian. 4. Who is to be Pips tutor while he is in London? – Pip’s tutor is to be Matthew Pocket. 5. When Mr. Jaggers offers Joe money to compensate for the loss of Pips services, what does the blacksmith do? Joe declines it. 6. Who does Pip believe is his benefactor? –He believes it is Miss Havisham. 7. Why does Pip visit Mr. Trabb, the tailor? – He visits Mr. Trabb to get a suit for London. 8. How does the reader know that Biddy understands Joe better than Pip does? – She asks Pip if he 8. ever consider that Jo e may be proud when he asks her to help Joe. 9. How has the behavior of Mr. Pumblechook and Mr. Trabb changed toward Pip? – They treat him 9. considerably better. 10. Where is Pip going at the end of Chapter 19? – He is going to London. Great Expectations: Chapters 20 and 21 Questions 1. What is the name of Mr. Jaggers clerk? – Mr. Wemmick is Mr. Jaggers clerk. 2. What is the name of the pale young gentleman? – The gentleman’s name is Herbert. 3. What is Pips impression of London? – He sees it as ugly, crooked, and dirty. 4. What is the name of the inn where Pip is to live? –He is to live at Barnard’s Inn. 5. What does Mr. Jaggers give to Pip? – He gives Pip’s his allowance. 6. Who walks Pip to Barnards Inn? – Mr. Wemmick walks Pip to the inn. 7. What kind of lawyer is Mr. Jaggers? – He is a criminal defense lawyer. 8. Where have Pip and Herbert Pocket met before now? – They met at the Satis House’s garden, 8. here they fought 9. What is Pips impression of Mr. Jaggers? – He is a frightening person. 10. What is the name of the prison located near Mr. Jaggers office? – It is called Newgate Prison. Great Expectations: Chapters 22 and 23 Questions 1. How does Herbert feel about Estella? – He is also attracted to her, but also knows about her 1. true character. 2. What name does Herbert give to Pip? –He names him Handel. 3. Why is Pip named Handel? – He names him after Handel’s The Harmonious Blacksmith. 4. What is one of the first lessons Herbert teaches Pip? – He teaches him table manners. 1. What relation is Estella to Miss Havisham? – Miss Havisham adopted her. 2. Does Miss Havisham have any brothers or sisters? – She has a half-brother. 3. Who did Mr. Havisham leave his vast fortune to after his death? – He left his fortune to Miss 3. Havisham’s fiance 4. What two men conspired to swindle Miss Havisham out of her money? – Her half-brother and 4. her fiance. 5. Which character is obsessed with peerage, titles, and nobility? – Mrs. Pocket is obsessed with 5. peerage, titles, and nobility. 6. Who are the other two students living at Matthew Pockets home? – They are Bentley Drummle 6. nd Startop. Great Expectations: Chapters 24 and 25 Questions 1. When Pip is invited to Mr. Jaggers home, who does Wemmick want Pip to notice? Does Pip go to see Joe, Biddy, and his sister while he is in town? –Pip doesn’t visit them. 3. Who rides on the coach with Pip? – Two convicts ride with Pip. 4. What does Pip overhear the convicts discussing? –How the convict Pip helped asked him to 4. deliver money to Pip. 5. When Pip arrives in his village, who does he find has taken all the credit for his good fortune? 5. He finds Mr. Pumblechook has taken all the credit. 6. Who admits Pip into Miss Havishams gate and is now working for her? –Orlick now works for 6. her. 7. How has Estella changed since the last time Pip saw her? Pip describes her as a ravishing young 7. woman. 8. What does Miss Havisham tell Pip to do to Estella? –She tell Pip to love her. 9. How does Pip recognize Estella when he first arrives? –Pip recognizes her by her eyes.

Why People Are Failing In High School Education Essay

Why People Are Failing In High School Education Essay Over the years, plenty of teenagers have had problems in a high school environment. Researchers have been getting statistics from all over the country to determine the amount of people dropping out of school or just failing in general. This topic has been an issue for many years. The percentages of high school dropouts have gone up and gone down. Most will say though that it is usually on the negative end. This is a huge problem and there has to be something done about it quick. The majority of dropouts come from a low income family. They need to provide for their family financially instead of opening a book. That is not the reason for everyone though. This research is going to explain the percentages and major reasons for students failing in a high school. Stay tuned. Failing in High School 1 Why are People Failing in High School? The Facts are here There are a lot of students that succeed in a high school environment and go off to a great university to find out what they want to achieve in their lives. However, not every student is blessed with the luxury to go to college or even finish high school. There are plenty of reasons on why students dont graduate from high school. Based on my research, the majority of the students that fail in a high school environment come from a low income family. These students fail because of having to deal with their families financial problems as well as being a part of an environment that is surrounded by negativity. We need to set goals for our children and help them grow as people. If we can do that, our future can look brighter and more positive. The following information will be exploring this huge problem. Can we find a solution towards the following facts? The students that drop out of high school are all types of races. The majority of the high school dropouts are black, Hispanic, or American Indian. The teenagers that are a part of these races generally live in the poorest parts of our economy. That is one of the main reasons why they fail. More Asians and whites graduate with a diploma and on time. Males are also less likely to graduate then females. All kinds of people of certain races drop out of high school. Basically, the students that dropout are the students who come from the gutter and arent given the right direction to succeed. Students drop out of high school for different reasons. Some get kicked out of school for fighting and get expelled for good. Some students get pregnant and have to deal with that instead. Then the father of that child may have to get a full time job and drop out of high school to support his child. Another reason may be because a certain student is having trouble keeping up with the school work. Some people tend to quit when they feel they are failing. That is where the parents need to come in. The kids that are a part of families with a low income have it the worst. I say that because they did not ask to be a part of that kind of environment. These types of students struggle through school because they need to help their parents by getting jobs to help the family and dont have time to go to school. They need to make money now. Being a part of a low income family and around poverty is not easy at all. It makes you angry and irritated. You are constantly around drugs, gangs, dope hea ds, pimps, drug dealers, and more. That is a lot of negativity to be around and when a teenager sees that, he or she may want to become a part of that lifestyle. Those types of lifestyles do not involve school and the future of your education. Those types of street professions involve making money and that is Failing in High School 2 why the low income parents tell their kids to go do that kind of illegal activity. A kid that comes from poverty may even decide for them self to make money on the street. It isnt always just the parents. They see it as easy money and also think to themselves that sitting in a classroom is pointless if I am making money now. Some of the parents that have a low income and are living in the projects do drugs or drink alcohol on a daily basis. When their kid sees that, he or she may want to start doing drugs also. Drugs will make kids lazy and not want to do anything. Certain drugs can effect a students motivation to succeed. Is Money Really That Important? A lot of those problems that I have just mentioned have to deal with people that are a part of a low income family. As I said earlier, that is the main focus on why students fail. They are surrounded by filth. A lot of people that are a part of poverty are nice and good hearted. They just have to do certain things because of the environment that surrounds them. I found some research concerning this problem. In 2005, the event dropout rate for students living in low-income families was approximately six times greater than the rate of their peers from high-income families (8.9 percent compared with 1.5 percent). Students from low-, middle-, and high-income families experienced an overall decline in event dropout rates during the three-decade period of the mid-1970s through 2005, including a downward trend during the first half of that period (1975 to 1990). From 1990 to 1995, students from low-income families experienced an upward trend in rates, while their peers from middle- and high -income families experienced no significant change. In the last decade (1995-2005), the event rates for low-income groups trended downwards, a trend not found among students from middle- and high-income families { National Center for Education Statistics, 2009, pg.1-2}. That was good information that was provided by the NCES. What this information tells me is that we need to make some serious changes and it makes me sick that money is the reason for some students not having the same chance to succeed. The main purpose for an education is to make money in the future. Some of these parents are basically telling their kids that they have to live by the day. They cant live and think about their future. That is not fair for a kid that has dreams and has the potential to succeed. Some of the parents did this to Failing in High School 3 themselves. They waste their own money on drugs and bring themselves down. The kids see that and may start living that life in the near future. Hopefully for our futures sake, we can start bringing hope to these kids and explain to them that an education is the most important thing to receive when you are a teenager. Who Are the Students That Fail In a High School Environment? The study found that seven in 10 students graduate from high school with a regular diploma. But about half of American Indian and black students graduate, compared with more than three-quarters of non Hispanic whites and Asians. The Hispanic graduation rate is 55.6%. Male students are consistently less likely to graduate than females, a pattern than can be found across every racial and ethnic group examined, according to the report { Report:1.2 Million Students Fail to Graduate High School, NSTA, Kristin Collins, 2006, p.3} Blacks and Hispanics have the highest rate not to graduate from high school. These two races also have the highest rate of being a part of a low income family. Trying to Make a Change Another resource that I found concerning this topic was in the Axia student library. This article is called Examining the high school dropout rate among African American and Hispanic students. The focus of this study was the problem of the high dropout rate among African American and Hispanic students enrolled in Westchester, New York, high schools during the 2003-2004 school year. A mixed method was used to collect data in this study. The 90 participants consisted of minority and nonminority high school students who had dropped out of school or who were still in high school as well as teachers, administrators, and parents from the Westchester high school districts in New York State. One group consisted of high school dropouts between 14 and 21 years old and potential high school dropout students between 14 and 21 years old with a grade point average below 2.0. The second group included parents, and the third group consisted of teachers/staff. The study was designed to establish the factors that contribute to the dropout rate among African American and Hispanic students enrolled in Westchester high schools. The results of the study showed that students who dropped out of Failing in High School 4 high school were influenced by socio-cultural, educational, and economic factors. The findings in this study helped identify specific factors that contribute to a higher incidence of dropping out of inner city high schools today to support a best practices approach. This approach included a profile for failure for African American and Hispanic students that can lead to the development of alternative strategies and an academic support plan for this at-risk group of students to help reduce the dropout rate in the urban high schools in Westchester, New York {Digneo, Mriam L., NorthcentralUniversity, 2009, pg 1}. A support plan can be a great help to these people. We need to start somewhere. This author gives a perfect example on certain races that are being affected by poverty and is trying to show that we are creating a strategy to change. Which City Has the Worst Graduation Rate? Another report from Kristen Collins was this, The report found that graduation rates vary widely across the nations largest school districts. For example, the graduation rate in Fairfax County, Virginia, (the nations 14th largest school district) was 82.5% while the Detroit public school system (the nations 11th largest school district) had a rate of 21.7% {Kristin Collins, NSTA, 2009, pg 4}. Those statistics scare me. I live in Michigan and I know how Detroit is. It would be a horrible place to live in some parts. It is nice though in certain areas. However, a graduation rate of 21.7% for a city that has the 11th largest school district in the nation is pathetic and embarrassing. The city of Detroit does have a lot of families that make a low amount of income. There is a lot of poverty out in that city and changes are trying to be made. This rate needs to change or else are future is in turmoil. No one in that city is being educated and the teachers have a lot to do with that also. The parents not caring whether or not their children go to school is a factor as well. Being a part of poverty is depressing and can stop someone of becoming who they were meant to become. Poverty Can Lead to a Variety of Things In Detroit and all over the world, there is a lot of violence and people joining gangs as well. If you fight in school, that is usually an automatic suspension and sometimes it can lead to getting kicked out of school for good. The majority of people who become a part of gangs come from a low income family. They join the gang and eventually start selling drugs, killing people, hurting people, and more. This can lead to that student dying themselves. Its just like a pattern. It keeps happening every day and we need to make a change. Forty-eight percent of all late high school dropouts come from families in the lowest quarter (bottom 25 percent) of the socioeconomic status distribution, and 77 percent of late high school dropouts come from the lowest half of the socioeconomic status distribution {Late High School Dropouts; Characteristics, Experiences, and Changes Across Cohorts, Ben Dalton, Elizabeth Glennie, Steven J. Ingels, 2009, pg 1}. It is no secret that money rules the world. I t is a shame as well. The Failing in High school 5 students that are a part of this economy should have just as good of opportunity to succeed as anyone else. We need to help these families in some possible way. Motion creates emotion. What can be done about these problems is very little. When it comes down to it, the student is in control of his or her own life. They have to put into their mind that they do not want to be around poverty forever. They want to create a change and education is the ticket for that. It may take time, but it will be worth it in the long run. These kids need to start thinking about the future and not just today. There is very little that we can do, but it could be enough to improve some students lives. We need the parents to motivate their children and stop caring about when their next buzz is going to come. That will help also. Poverty leads teens to think too much about the rich and famous also. They start to imitate what they see on T.V. and from rappers and it leads to negativity. It is very important to address this problem because our countries future is depending on it. As I said earlier, most people that dont have an education turn out to be bums, drug dealers, prostitutes and so on. There are some people that do succeed without a high school diploma. It is rare though. Those people are usually Hollywood stars, rap stars, or lottery winners. After finding all this research, I have realized that our country is going to have more problems as the years go by. There are too many people without an education and it already has caught up to us. If the population keeps growing, there will be chaos all over the country. We need to come up with a plan. A specific approach towards all these problems that create students failing in high school needs to be thought of. The kids of today will have to take care of us someday. Remember that. Failing in High School 6