Essay --

Tough times challenged a boy like Jesse James growing up in Missouri. Internal conflicts during the Civil War devastated the state. Missouri, a border state, tried to stay neutral, but it seemed that the people of Missouri held different ideas. Violence broke out between southern sympathizers who wanted to secede and those loyal to the Union. Jesse James, best known as a dangerous and ruthless thief, murdered many innocent people, but many in the deep south continued to regard him as a hero. Some compared James to Robin Hood and admired him for his daring deeds. Jesse James, like many of his contemporaries, experienced an innocent early childhood, until the atrocities of the Civil War transformed him into the marauder that history portrayed. Born in Clay County Missouri on September 5, 1847 to Zerelda and Robert James, Jesse Woodson James entered his life in innocence. Only three years after the birth of Jesse, Robert James contracted cholera and died shortly after leaving the family in debt. To keep the family afloat Zerelda married a wealthy farmer Benjamin Simms, but the marriage proved to be an unhappy union. In 1854, after Zerelda left Simms, Simms died from the injuries related to being thrown from his horse. Jesse, yet again, became fatherless. Zerelda’s final marriage took place in 1855 when she married Dr. Ruben Samuel. Conflicts between Secessionists and Loyalists erupted throughout Missouri. Unlike in other states where neighbors joined together in arms to fight for the Union or the Confederacy, in Missouri neighbors and lifelong family friends eyed each other with suspicion as they enlisted in regiments on opposites sides. Missouri also possessed a strong unionist influence from the German immigrants in St. Louis he... ..., the author of the letter is not verified but is assumed to be written by Jesse James. The letter showed the mindset of the robbers or was written to give support to the idea that the â€Å"bold-robbers† were not thieves and indeed resembled robin hood. In the letter, Jesse James apologized for the tragic accident of wounding the young girl, and said that he would personally pay for the medical treatment which helps his image with the public. He later compares himself with other great leaders such as Ceasar, Napoleon, and Alexander the Great, as they were all bold-robbers. Lastly he contrasts his actions with that of the president, trying to prove his resemblance to robin hood. He says that he is stealing from the rich, and giving back to the poor, while the Grant Party is stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. (Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War [Online])

Educational Policies and Practices Essay

â€Å"Change is a process, not an event. It can be planned or unplanned and can be influenced by forces inside and outside of the schoolhouse. † (http://wps. prenhall. com/chet_green_practicing_2/23/6137/1571248. cw/index. html). Current education reform has stressed the urgency of teacher learning in improving classroom education and expanding student success. Current education reform in the United States has increasingly described standard levels of mastery for learners and focused on holding schools responsible for student outcomes. As one approach for increasing student attainment, officials have zoned in on improving the quality of public school educators (Parise & Spillane, 2010). Certain policy plans concentrate on the dimension involved in refining the quality of educators coming into the area of teaching through state accreditation exams, more rigorous degree requirements, and recruitment efforts. In addition to the aforementioned, increased responsibility and stress on schools involve learning and modification for many of the educators already working within this capacity, as they are pushed to apply new instructional methods and advances in order to promote and foster student achievement (Parise & Spillane, 2010). Assessing the Condition: Loris High School Trevor Strawderman, principal of Loris High School, Horry County, South Carolina, reorganized educational structure to benefit the school. In 2005, Loris High School ranked in the bottom percentile among high schools, scholastically, in the state of South Carolina. Principal Strawderman knew that issues in the area of literacy plagued the school’s academic performance. Assessment statistics revealed that 74 percent of the 9th and 10th graders of the school were reading below grade level. As a result of this issue, dropout and class failings soared to extremely high figures (http://www. nassp. org/Content. aspx? topic=59746). Strawderman, the newly appointed principal at the time, and other leaders of the school were aware of this issue, but did not realize the severity until results were revealed from student assessments. It was determined that the majority of the 9th and 10th graders at the time were reading way below grade level. After examining the textbooks utilized in the school, it was discovered that the 9th and 10th grade level books were written for 10th/ 11th grade reading comprehension. Upon the discovery of the low reading skills, Strawderman met with faculty to inform them that changes were necessary to improve reading skills of the students. Data collected about the student reading assessments was Mr. Strawderman’s proof as he provided information for this needed change (http://www. assp. org/Content. aspx? topic=59746). Implementing Necessary Change The school’s leadership team began to read and study about ways to improve on reading. Through the study it was discovered that providing more reading would be the best solution. The leadership team identified a process that could be utilized to achieve the vision. Through the vision of Strawderman and the leadership team, a ho meroom reading initiative was put in place immediately. Two days for 50 minutes a week have been designated for this activity. Students were grouped by grade level and lexile level. Strawderman and his team stressed the importance of steering away negative connotations with this activity, and felt that grouping by lexile level was pertinent (http://www. nassp. org/Content. aspx? topic=59746). Challenges and Rewards As with change, Mr. Strawderman faced defiance by some faculty members. Comments like, â€Å"Some students are going to think this is stupid and childish,† were used to discourage this new activity. As the process began, aproximately $70,000 was spent on high interest inventory reading. Strawderman and his committee did all of the work, not putting the strain on the teachers with implementing this program. This process was made easy as possible for the teachers. After the program began, it was discovered that the students loved the program. The majority of the at-risk students enjoyed it the most. What was also discovered, is that every student may act is if they do not like to read, but they all want to know how to read (http://www. nassp. org/Content. aspx? topic=59746). Within this program celebrations were rendered and awards are given as incentives. This program provided an additional 33 hours of reading in the school for the year and has provided a positive outlook for the school’s reading deficit. Since Strawderman became principal, the school has made noteworthy and substantial cultural and meaningful changes that have led to effective progress for each student. Strawderman understood that the necessary changes implemented could not done by him solely. Along with making improvements for students, Strawderman also realized the importance in providing leadership and support for his staff members. â€Å"He envisioned a school of professional learning communities in which teachers worked together ‘to choose every day to make a difference in the lives of our students’ (http://www. assp. org/Content. aspx? topic=59746). First Order or Second Order Change? First and second order change are natural occurrences involved within settings of change. It has been reported that uninterrupted, first order change happens without interference to the system in place. Within this particular order of change the leader is involved in pushing for improvement within the productivity an d value of a school or program without making major alterations to what has been established among teachers and students. In addition, this conflict often faces less confusion and divergence (Green, 2013). Second order change, on the other hand, faces uneasy transitions because of change and interruption to the system in place. In this particular order of change the existing order is taken in another direction for the good of the school or program. Furthermore there are new objectives, as well as changes in structure and programs in which individuals are asked to function differently within their role (Green, 2013). Becoming principal of Loris High School, opened doors of opportunity for Trevor Strawderman to make necessary changes for the betterment of the school. Strawderman initially took some matters in his hand to push for this change by presenting data figures to faculty as proof of the situation in need. As a result of this new change every teacher was given a task to apply â€Å"student lexile levels from the Measures of Academic Progress -Reading (MAP-R) computerized assessments to gauge students’ mastery of basic reading skills† (http://www. nassp. org/Content. aspx? topic=59746). Because implementing these changes required disruption to the already established program curriculum, Strawderman and his team faced some defiance. This situation is reflective of the second-order change. The Good and the Bad Although the reading program at Loris High School has brought forth much success, negativity surfaced at the beginning stages of implementing this program. Mildly disgruntled teachers gave notion of their dislike of changing their already established curriculum without consulting them fully. Before allowing the situation to escalate with these faculty members, Mr.  Strawderman could have met with the teachers to answer questions and to address concerns about the immediate change once he brought it forward. (http://www. nassp. org/Content. aspx? topic=59746). Working collaboratively with faculty could have also presented a variety of innovative ideas. Michael Fullan’s reports on research indicates that institutionalization of modification and change is extremely challenging. Moreover, additional reports reveal that school improvements that are substantial and long-term rarely can be set, authorized or guided by organizations or individuals (Fullan, 1993). When change occurs in a school setting the following attitudes may arise: â€Å"teachers may feel a sense of in adequacy or lack of preparation, or they may fear the unknown or perceive a loss of power or control† (Green, 2013). Conclusion Through this assignment an abundance of useful information was grasped regarding leadership and instructional change. Due to the changes in time, it is pertinent for all leaders to foster the ideas of bringing forth instructional change in a school setting. The way children are educated must change because children, the world, and economics are changing daily. At times change is considered taboo and frightening. However, when handled effectively and efficiently, it may be the cure to an ailing situation. There is much confidence among the reorganizers of school and researchers in the field of education that enhancing the learning opportunities of practicing teachers will boost and develop teacher performance and progress to developmentally improved student outcomes (Parise & Spillane, 2010).

Essay about The Brain and The Origins Of Violence

Is The Brain To Blame? Searching For The Origins Of Violence From the dawning of man, violence has always been one of the defining characteristics of humankind. Throughout all of history we see evidence of mans tendencies toward acting violently in response to his emotions - everything from anger, fear, to just plain enjoyment. But to where can we trace the true origin of violence, the place where it all begins? Does the root of violence stem from societal and cultural values or can we point the finger at a deeper cause, one with a neurobiological basis? Can we successfully predict the violent tendencies in individuals, and if so, how? And if there is a biological basis for violent behavior, where does that leave our society and our†¦show more content†¦From the amount of school shootings that have occurred in the past 5 years, as well as a plethora of unpublicized acts of intimidation, threat, and simple assault occurring in the classroom, it is reasonable to conclude that for many young children, school is not the safe haven that it was once believed to be. Instead, it is a place of constant fear, where the possibility of harm is an undeniable threat. In places where violence in the community is not a threat, children are still bathed with violent images at every turn, simply at the click of a button. Now more than ever the media has been flooded with aggressive acts ranging from the punches and kicks of the newest videogame, to the gruesome murders of the last big-screen thriller. It has also been estimated that by the time a child turns 18, he or she will have viewed at least 200,000 acts of violence on television (1). Even if the child has grown up with a solid, emotional and social background, he is still vulnerable to these overwhelming displays of media violence and is often left with a greater tendency towards aggressive and antisocial behavior (1). For those who do experience violence in the household, watching these powerful acts on television serves to reinforce the cultural values they see modeled in their everyday lifestyles (1). But for the majority of children, the greatest threat of exposure to violence comes from the home. In a 1995 FBI report, it was concluded that 27% of all violentShow MoreRelatedBrain Dysfunction913 Words   |  4 Pages Brain Dysfunction in Criminal Behavior Jose Luis Abreu CRJ308: Psychology of Criminal Behavior (BLG1319A) Instructor: Cheryl Cabero May 27th, 2013 Brain Dysfunction in Criminal Behavior After viewing the ABC video â€Å"The Brain and Violence: Secrets of Your Mind† I do believe that people are predisposed to violence. I do maintain my position that even if the same Neurological and genetic factors that lead to crime are present in a person the lack of a healthy environment is what will causeRead MoreBrain : Brain And Behavior995 Words   |  4 Pages Brain Dysfunction in Criminal Behavior Catherine Vivi CRJ 308 Instructor: Stephanie Myers November 2, 2015â€Æ' Brain Dysfunction in Criminal Behavior It may be possible that with the addition of negative environmental experiences criminal behavior develops and that without such negative environmental experiences a biological tendency may never otherwise transform into criminal behavior. In Criminal psychology, the author states, â€Å"Psychopathy is a personality disorder that is characterized by aRead MoreThe Relationship between Genetics and Violence Essay1442 Words   |  6 PagesThe world has a problem with violence. It is not a new problem, and it not one that is likely to disappear soon. It is estimated that around 1.6 million people die of violence each year. Half of these deaths are attributed to suicide, while the other half are attributed to homicide, war and other conflicts combined. Historically, violence was seen as a social ill. Before the 1970’s, when genetic research began to take hold, most researchers believed that violence was caused by a number of socialRead MoreTheme Of Violence In Macbeth1186 Words à ‚  |  5 Pagesplay Macbeth by William Shakespeare, violence is a recurring theme much appreciated by the audience of the 16th to 17th century, yet it is much more than just sword fight and action. Violence is a tool that Shakespeare uses to reveals the psychological state of the characters. Throughout the piece, different levels of dishonourable violent actions reflect a character’s sanity level. Honourable violence shows a sane mind, whereas dishonourable physical violence starts the descent toward madness andRead MoreThe Psychological Causes of Homicide1533 Words   |  7 Pagesin a elementary school. Although this incident is the most fatal public school shooting in the United States. So, what causes people to kill? Due to irrational emotions and psychological imbalances in the Anterior Rostral Prefrontal Cortex of the brain which is important for processing emotions, fear and social and motor skills, people commit violent crimes that hurt others (Kate Kelland). Adam La nza was diagnosed with, sensory integration disorder†, also now known as sensory processing. PeopleRead MoreVideo Games: Another World or Reality?1658 Words   |  7 PagesVideo Games: Another World or Reality? The origin of the harmfulness of video games originates with pong; the first video game invented. â€Å"How is pong harmful? It’s a ball with two vertical bars.† It had nothing to do with the content of the game, but the addictive nature of it. The Surgeon General at the time, C. Everett Koop, was the one who made the comment about the games addictiveness. He believed that, because of the addictive nature could turn players violent. According to a study performedRead More Pornography Causes Desensitization, Aggression, and Alienation1265 Words   |  6 Pagesassociated with pornography distract from any exploration of the term, but just like anything else pornography does have a history. The word pornography is derived from the Greek word pornographos, meaning writing of harlots. Despite its Greek origins, the word pornography did not show up in the English language until somewhere between 1755 and 1857. Even then its meaning referred to prostitutes and prostitution. So, when did pornography switch from prostitution to materials that depict eroticRead MoreSchizophrenia: Disease of the Brain845 Words   |  4 PagesSchizophrenia is a complex brain disorder. Like many other illnesses, schizophrenia is believed to result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. All the tools of modern science are being used to search for the causes of this disorder. The term schizophrenia is Greek in origin, and in the Greek meant split mind. This is not an accurate medical term. In Western culture, some people have come to believe that schizophrenia refers to a split-personality disorder. These are two veryRead More The Nature of Aggression (or is it Nurture?) Essay1462 Words   |  6 PagesAnimals compete with each other over food, mates, and dwelling spaces, often showing aggression and occurring among virtually all vertebrate species, including humans. However, if aggression is an effective way of maintaining social order, reckless violence appears to be a poor survival mechanism. Nevertheless, this trait has not been wiped out. Since it hasnt disappeared, it is logical that researchers have tried to understand the nature of this behavior. In doing this, there has been an ongoing argumentRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay1037 Words   |  5 Pagessociety (human). This debate has been a controversial issue since the beginning of sociology, the study of society and its impact on the humans that live in it (Stolley), and it will remain controversial due to the inability of humans to know the origins of life. Some believe that without authoritative controls, people are inherently evil and savage because of human nature and evolution, while others believe people are only products of their environment and society. If the belief that