Mr. Rios And Juvenile Criminal Justice System - 858 Words

Mr. Max Rios, a 35-year old divorced male, who has been incarcerated at the Cook County Department of Corrections for several months, has been waiting for his trial. As the Cook County Jail is primarily for holding pre-trial detainees, he was recommended by the local criminal justice system for a psychological evaluation before his trial due to numerous encounters with the law. Before the psychological evaluation was performed, Mr. Rios’s medical and juvenile/adult criminal records were requested to be examined along with a meeting with his ex-wife, former employer and parents. According to his medical records, Mr. Rios shows a history of anxiety along with episodes of depression also. As for his criminal record and a background check, it showed a history of problems with the legal system regarding extortion, aggravated assaults, identity theft, money laundering and numerous arrests for minor misconduct offenses along with a string of civil suits as well. In the one-on-one mee tings with his family and ex-boss, they were able to describe Mr. Rios’s behavior in more detail. His wife indicated he charmed her and seductively persuaded her to marry him within the 3 weeks of their first date. Soon after their wedding day, Mr. Rios moved into her home. Several weeks later he had liquidated her bank accounts and maxed out her credit cards. When he was confronted by his wife about their financial situation, Mr. Rios became arrogant and irrational in which he kicked her out of herShow MoreRelatedPrison Education Essay4573 Words   |  19 PagesUniversity of Wisconsin La-Crosse La-Crosse, Wisconsin April 16 - 18, 2009 Prison Culture, Education, and Recidivism Rates Caleb L. Fry and Lauren T. Rios Department of Anthropology Lake Tahoe Community College One College Drive South Lake Tahoe, California 96150 USA Faculty Advisor: Daryl G. Frazetti Abstract Given the number of inmates in the prison system and the high level of recidivism, it is important to seek out possible solutions to this growing problem. By implementing more educationally and

Case Study Bill and Melinda Gates Leadership - 2126 Words

Case summary 1. What do you think Bill and Melinda Gate’s personality traits are for each of the Big Five dimensions? Compare the two. Big Five Dimensions * Surgency: leadership amp; extraversion traits * Agreeableness: traits related to getting along with people * Adjustment: traits related to emotional stability * Conscientiousness: traits related to achievement * Openness to experience: being willing to change and try new things Comparing (Xem cà ¡i bá º £ng trong slide) * Bill Gates * Melinda Gates 2. Which of the nine traits of effective leaders would you say has had the greatest impact on Bill and Melinda Gates’s success? Compare the two. Bill Gates * First is dominance. Bill Gates is†¦show more content†¦This explains why she can become a manager at the age of 31. When she had the first child, she stopped working at Microsoft because her foremost concern is that her children can grow as normal as possible. But at that time, she still continued to serve on corporate boards, including that of Duke University. * High enegy: Melinda French (Gates) grew up in Dallas in a hard- working, middle-class family. And she heritages the hard-workingness from her family. * Self- confidence: Melinda also owns self confidence. That’s the reason why at the age of 22, she was the youngest recruit in Microsoft and the only woman among ten MBAs. After 9 years working hard and bringing much achivements, she was appointed to the position of general manager of information products, who managed 300 inferior members. * Melinda also has had stability trait that refers to the adjustment Big Five dimension. She is not to emotiona l but emotionally control of herself. She is known as a strong team builder, who always strives for collaboration in decision making. She is decribes as a loving and charming person because she defeats other by her persuasion. * She is intelligent. Unlike Bill, melinda graduated from collegue, earning a BA and an MBA from Duke University. Melinda also has emotional intelligence to motivate others to achieve her vision. * Melinda is a sensitive woman who is compassionate and not afraid of get involved. She travels all around the world to held people.Show MoreRelatedCase Study Bill and Melinda Gates Leadership2118 Words   |  9 PagesCase summary 1. What do you think Bill and Melinda Gate’s personality traits are for each of the Big Five dimensions? Compare the two. Big Five Dimensions * Surgency: leadership amp; extraversion traits * Agreeableness: traits related to getting along with people * Adjustment: traits related to emotional stability * Conscientiousness: traits related to achievement * Openness to experience: being willing to change and try new things Comparing (Xem cà ¡i bá º £ng trong slide) *Read MoreBill Gates s Role Of Leadership And Command1723 Words   |  7 PagesBill Gates was born on October 28, 1955 to William and Mary Gates. His father was a prominent attorney and his mother a former teacher and member of the board of directors for First Interstate BancSystem. Bill had younger and an older sister, and there was always competition in their family. Bill had an extremely close relationship with his mother, and as a young child would often accompany her to civic meetings and school visits. The kids grew up in a competitive yet fun atmosphere, with a rewardRead MorePfizer And Developing Country Access For Essential Medicines2117 Words   |  9 PagesPart A: GlaxoSmithKline and developing country access to essential medicines The case study emphasized the spread of the HIV/AID s virus especially in the Least developed countries (LDC s) where it was not possible for the poor people to be able to afford the expensive drugs used to cure the disease. The pharmaceutical companies were consistently pressurized to take a solution out of this to provide the medicines to the victims. Survey reports indicated that many deaths were happening and manyRead More Corporate Charities The Right and Wrong Ways for Big Business to Give Back to the Community4190 Words   |  17 Pagesdo are not charitable out of the goodness of their heart but do it purely to make themselves look better in the eyes of the public. In this paper I seek to demonstrate a spectrum of corporate charities. Through four case studies – namely, Wal-Mart, Cisco Systems, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Ted Turner – I show what four companies/company founders have done in the realm on philanthropy and attempt to distinguish between those that do what they do only to hike up their public image between those whoseRead MoreEssay on Factors to College Dropouts827 Words   |  4 Pagescard debts coupled with education aids than academic failures. For example, in a research study conducted in 2009 among 600 young students, 37 percent received no financial support or grants that caused them to leave school because they have incurred unpaid student loans ranging from $5,000 to $14,000 and they have no means to pay these debts. Pursuing further, Amy Azzam a writer on Educational Leadership stated: â€Å"Most of the dropouts blamed themselves rather than their schools or teachers. ManyRead MoreThe Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Changing Goals at Microsoft2167 Words   |  9 Pageswith disabilities who have the qualifications to work at Microsoft a division for accessibility and disabilities was formed by the company. The goal going forward was to make valuing diversity and accessibility an article of faith at Microsoft. Leadership and Management Challenges Corporate culture is a difficult thing to pin down. It is continually in a state of flux, elusive, and unspoken. Although corporations make it a practice to declare their mission and values, these are not the same asRead MoreWarren Edward Buffett : World s Most Successful Investor Essay1516 Words   |  7 Pageshis children will never inherit a substantial amount of his wealth and he would give them just sufficient to feel doing anything, but not-so-much wealth to feel doing nothing. He has also indicated that he would give most of his wealth to the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation and this would be the greatest donation to have ever made in history. Evaluation of the Models Psychoanalytic and Neo-analytic Theories Postulated by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalytic theory expresses the dynamics of organizing or developingRead MoreThe Faults of a One Size Fits All Education System Essay1529 Words   |  7 Pagesinflexible goals difficult, or are unable to reach them at all in order to keep up with the fast pace that is implemented with this style of learning, will be left behind. More often than not, students will require extra time working on certain aspects of study to be able to fully grasp and better understand it. If the time that these students need is not already built into the standard, then the student will begin to struggle and fall behind. The No Child Left Behind act, which was enacted in 2001, and againRead MoreGuinea Worm Eradication Program ( Nigep )2183 Words   |  9 Pagesdespite the long term presence, there had been little effort to quantify the burden or to prevent the disease until the inception of the Nigerian Guinea Worm Eradication Program (NIGEP).6 NIGEP was developed with t he goal of eliminating guinea worm cases in Nigeria. However, this program also aimed to better understand the full burden and distribution of the disease in Nigeria and to define a framework to begin to initiate prevention measures for the disease.6 The announcement of the inception of NIGEPRead MoreCsr - Should It Be Made Mandatory4531 Words   |  19 Pagesfrom the following link https://docs.google.com/a/mandevian.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_USamp;pli=1amp;formkey=dDI5Y0R4SXpJS1NreVJoa3VjTE03a3c6MQ#gid=0 Our secondary research aims to study the various activities that have been taken up under the gambit of CSR activities in the countries. Also, the study aims to pin point the problems and the role of the government so far in this field. Based on the findings of the primary and the secondary research, we would make recommendations supplemented

Men At Forty Free Essays

â€Å"Men at Forty† is a very well written poem so clearly the diction was chosen well. There are so many things that can be considered diction when writing like if you want to be more sensuous which means you write to appeal to the senses or you have the choice to make it emotional of even esoteric so only the few amount of people who have the proper knowledge to understand it do. A couple of words that describe how this poem was written are precise, emotional, abstruse and esoteric could even tie in with that. We will write a custom essay sample on Men At Forty or any similar topic only for you Order Now Precise writing is marked by exactness or accuracy and â€Å"Men at Forty† in my eyes is very accurate. I do believe that what Donald writes about is exactly what happens once a man gets to forty. In the first stanza it says â€Å"Men at Forty Learn to close softly The doors to rooms they will not be Coming back to. † This is a metaphor about how since he is older he must come to terms with the fact that he might never reach some of his goals in life. Emotion is a big part of writing because what’s the point in writing if there is no emotion. No one will even want to read your writing because they get bored easily with it. In stanza 3 it states â€Å"And deep in mirrors They rediscover The face of the boy as he practices tying His father’s tie there in secret† this is very emotional because the man Is looking in the mirror and he still feels young but that is on the inside the outside shows he is growing old, and no one likes growing old because it’s a sad reality that we are getting closer and closer to death. This poem can be very abstruse because It could go over some peoples’ head. How to cite Men At Forty, Papers

Gambling In The US Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Gambling In The U.S. Essay, Research Paper Gambling With the Future In the last twelvemonth Americans have wagered $ 482 billion dollars in the United States. Over 85 per centum of this beting took topographic point in casinos that are now legal in 27 provinces. In the past decennary there has been unbelievable growing in the gaming industry. Twenty old ages ago if a individual wanted to chance they had to go to Nevada. Nowadays, there are merely six provinces in which no signifier of legalized chancing exists. Advocates of the gaming industry feel that this is a good thing and that it is assisting the national economic system. But we should see the states morality. There are many oppositions of chancing that feel it is aching households and society. Indeed, there needs to be a bound set on the growing of the gaming industry. Although this industry does hold some virtue, they don t outweigh the costs to society. We will write a custom essay sample on Gambling In The US Essay Research Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Defenders of the gaming industry insist that gaming is good clean merriment and that if so many people enjoy something that it can t be incorrect. In fact, they are speedy to indicate out that merriment is non the lone issue ; in add-on, these new casinos have created 1000s of occupations. Furthermore, non merely have casinos created new occupations, but at that place has been an addition in revenue enhancement gross for the metropoliss that have casinos. Honestly, the addition in revenue enhancement grosss has helped to reconstruct some rundown interior metropoliss and river front countries. These people argue that there is small to worry about chancing because most people merely lose a little sum of money and will hold a merriment clip losing it. As for the truth on the gaming industry, the oppositions are watchful in concentrating on the jobs it contains. Most of the occupations created are low paying and offer small chance for the worker to come on. Furthermore, the creative activities of these casino occupations have taken away occupations from other countries of the economic system. For a good illustration, eating houses near casinos are being forced out of concern by the cheep counters offer to pull people in. Many people argue that casinos have non created any important additions in the figure of occupations. Some analysis s point to a four per centum growing in countries with legalized chancing which is about the same as the remainder of the state. Add itionally, it seems that most of the concern for these new casinos is coming from the environing countries conveying in few tourers. Consequently, there is no existent growing and all this does is travel the money around in the same economic system. If you think about it, many of the people that are passing their money gaming are the 1s that can least afford to lose it. For illustration, the lottery is most to a great extent advertised in hapless vicinities where it is advertised as a manner out of poorness. I feel that chancing is like a revenue enhancement on the hapless. Those doing under 10s thousand a twelvemonth are passing more money in proportion to their income than any other group. These people who can least afford it, are passing money on a dream. The proliferation of casinos and legalized chancing promotes the dream of striking rich instead than the tested and true methods of accomplishment ; instruction, and difficult work. Advocates may reason that chancing is merriment, but with this merriment comes many jobs in the society. Wherever there is a big sum of money and intoxicant, there is traveling to be offense. Indeed, wherever casinos move into countries, so do felons. Crime rate has been noted to lift significantly in countries with gaming. The rise in offense causes metropoliss to engage more constabulary officers and construct gaols. This is non the lone job gaming can present on society. Gambling can take a heavy toll on the household. There are many people who can pass a little sum of money gaming and so discontinue, but there are a significant figure of people that can t command their gaming. To these people chancing is an dependence and can be compared to alcohol addiction. There have been legion instances of divorces, separations, loss of occupations, bankruptcy, and even suicide. Gambling does non look so fun when the large image is considered. I believe the gaming industry should non be allowed to spread out across the state any farther. Even though casinos have created assorted low paying occupations, the cost to society is greater than the benefits. I personally have seen what chancing can make to a individual and their household. Finally, cipher knows what sort of permanent impact chancing will hold on society. The manner I see it, one thing is for certain ; a small merriment is non deserving all the jobs that chancing causes.

The Day of Doom by Michael Wigglesworth free essay sample

â€Å"The Day of Doom† by Michael Wigglesworth The Day of Doom is not just any ordinary poem. Michael Wigglesworth, the poet, wrote this poem in such a way that the reader in the end should ask themselves this question, what must I do to be saved? The words of each stanza are crafted in ordinance with scriptures of the Bible. â€Å"The Puritans believed that the Bible was God’s true law, and that it provided a plan for living† (Kizer). Wigglesworth’s ultimate goal in writing this poem as a Puritan minister was to stress the ramifications of sin but also to glorify the reward of salvation. Words of hell fire and brimstone flowed from the mouths of eloquent ministers as they warned of the persuasiveness of the devil’s power† (Kizer). Puritans viewed sin as vile in the eye sight of God. â€Å"The Bible describes sin as the breaking, or transgression, of God’s law† Wigglesworth describes in stanza 2 how comfortable men and women became with sin in their life. We will write a custom essay sample on The Day of Doom by Michael Wigglesworth or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page â€Å"Wallowing in all kind of sin, /vile wretches lay secure:/The best of men had scarcely then/ their lamps kept in good ure. /Virgins unwise, who through disguise/amongst the best were number’d, /Had closed their eyes: yea, and the wise/ through sloth and frailty slumber’d† (9-16).The tone of this particular stanza is an attention getter because of three particular words that are used. Frailty, sloth, vile all describe moral demeanors which Wigglesworth carefully placed at the beginning of this poem to capture foreshadow of something unexpected to come. Sloth in particular is a sign of an unexpected outcome because according to â€Å"Christian moral tradition, it is one of the seven deadly sins† (Spain). Wigglesworth is telling us that sin is apparent but the soul must be ready at all times because no man knows the hour or the day when God would come back to Judge his people. He illustrates this revelation in stanza 4 which states â€Å"They put away the evil day,/and drowned their cares and fears,/Til drowned were they, and swept away/by vengeance unawares:/So at last, whilst men sleep fast/In their security,/Surprised they are in such a snare/as cometh suddenly (25-32). Puritan believers are taught to live a strict lifestyle and to adhere to the word of God. This is why the ramifications of sinful behavior are punished by God. Wigglesworth not only described the unfavorable side of sin, but he also included in his poem the reward of sustaining from it.Sustaining from sin was far harder than it seemed but â€Å"the regenerate would reign with Christ eternally† (Baym, and Levine 239). The Day of Doom speaks to the hearts and minds of all believers who sacrificed their â€Å"earthly† lifestyles in order to gain something more joyous than what couldn’t possibly be received here on earth. The Puritans believed â€Å"God was at the fore front of their minds, He was to motivate all of their actions† (Kizer). This is why Wigglesworth voice about salvation in his poem spoke loud in reference to the precious reward of salvation.He not only wanted his readers to picture what it would be like to enter the Kingdom of Heaven but to realize that it is far better than entering the Kingdom of Hell. In stanza 221 he use words such as glorious, divine and bright to persuade us that Heaven is definitely where you want to end up after ascending from earth. â€Å"O glorious place! Where face to face/Jehovah may be seen, /By such as were sinners whilere/and no dark veil between. /Where the sun shine, and light divine, /of God’s bright countenance, /Doth rest upon them everyone, /with sweetest influence† (1761-1768).As a minister, Wigglesworth had a duty; a covenant with God to make sure the souls of the people did not perish. This poem is a very imperative message for all believers to make up their mind and decide what side they want to be sitting on when that final hour appear before the m. Do you want to sit on the right side, which is the symbol for Heaven or the left side, which is the symbol for Hell? The Day of Doom could definitely fit in the category of a Puritan Document. This poem speaks volumes in reference to the Puritan faith and how easy it is to forget about the Puritan morals and values if you are not careful.This is why the Puritan religion was not a religion that was â€Å"only practiced on Sunday; it was a way of life† (Emerson). By the amount of stanzas in the poem, it can be concluded that Wigglesworth wanted to make sure he covered all the important issues that Christians face with their lifestyle of salvation. He didn’t leave room for believers who backslid as well as nonbelievers to have any excuses as to why the Wrath was as it was. â€Å"One day, one week, wherein to seek/ God’s face with all your hearts, /A favor was that far pass/ the best of your deserts. You had a season, what was your reason/ such precious hours to wa ste? / What could you find, what could you mind/ that was of greater hast† (865-872)? I believe this poem was popular in its day because it kept the Puritans focused on their ultimate goal which was to ascend to Heaven with God. This poem was a reminder of where you would spend eternity if you did or didn’t do the right things in the eyesight of God. Although the bible is truly a source that could be referred to in a time of uncertainty, The Day of the Doom brought bible verses to reality.I believe the Puritans memorized the poem so they would have a quick reference just in case the thought of backsliding occurred. â€Å"Actions spoke louder than words for the Puritan faith, so actions had to be constantly controlled† (Kizer). Not only was memorizing this poem important for the adults, but the children were taught to memorize it as well. Wigglesworth definitely poured his heart into this poem which was demonstrated by his word choices and the length of the poem. Salvation and only that, it was he stood for.

Western separatism essays

Western separatism essays Since Confederation over one hundred years ago, the Central and Eastern Regional Governments have exploited the entire area west of the Ontario/Manitoba border, both economically and politically. They also made it impossible for western Canadians to reach a point where they would have any opinion in determining their own political and economic well-being. The previous government had continued to ignore the weak ineffective voice of western Canada. Because of this, many people asked themselves, should the west separate from Canada? Is a province allowed to separate from Canada? The Supreme Court and the Parliament of Canada both said that it is legally attainable. All that is required is a clear referendum question, a clear majority and political will. The separation of the west would have included Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. If separation would have occurred, British Columbia and Alberta would have been able to form new countries. There are many reasons why the west wanted to separate from Canada. One of the reasons is taxes. Why were the taxes so high? To fatten the parasite of Ottawa which eats up good men, turning their backbone into jelly, first. This government which destroys freedom in the name of security eats up prosperity in the name of Canadians ownership and takes the resources of the west mercilessly to support their Bay Street Transportation policies have ensured that it would cost more to ship from the west to east than from the east to west, so that a western manufacturer would not be able to compete with an eastern manufacturer, because of high shipping costs. The most important reason why western Canada wanted to separate is the fact that their future had always been decided elsewhere. The realization of this creates the motivation to do something to chance it. It is goi...

Impact of Media Technologies on the Structure of Environment Essay

Impact of Media Technologies on the Structure of Environment - Essay Example The environment which is deemed to be a messaging system in itself, is supposed to have a bearing on what people see and say and therefore how they act, how roles are assigned to people and the boundaries in which these roles are discharged in a society (Postman, 1980). It is observed that with rapid growth in media technology, physical spaces have shrunk and there is an integration between the physical and the social sciences. As pointed by Monberg (2005) "changes in media technology change patterns of social interaction, and changing patterns of social interaction have political consequences". The author likens the advancement of media technology to the "steel era" because steel changed the way people lived, worked, travelled, and fought wars. It is believed that new media technology will do just that in the 21st century. The impact of new media is also worth evaluating because of the notice convergent media nexus has received by the international community. It is acknowledged that media technology has an impact in facilitating or impeding man's chances of survival (Postman, 1980). As pointed by Bhuiyan (2006): "with the rapid growth of new media technology including the internet, interactive television net... It is also predicted that media technology will help preserve free speech and privacy and strengthen communication opportunities, largely owing to the use of digital media technologies such as PCs, the internet, computer games, cell phones in the ever shrinking global community. Such advancement has resulted in the advent of telecommunications, print, broadcast and computing into new domains to create a product that coalesces the elements of all these technologies, to create a brand new channel of communication and information storage. So consumers use iPods to make their own music playlists, personal video recorders to customize television schedules, digital audio broadcasting or DAB Digital Radio pumps static-free music to their homes and cars. With the heavy reliance on new media technologies, wired and wireless, into our daily life, the impact is such that it not only influences those who are using it but also those who are not because they have no access to them, lack the necessary skills, or simply do not want to. The world around is changing quickly. How it is changing is discussed in the following pages. The digital culture New media technologies have a telling effect on the culture we live in. Culture, as pointed by Stalder (2005) is "systems of meaning articulated through material and immaterial symbols". The culture is now becoming digital. The impact is felt even in the world of tangibles like chairs, automobiles, and buildings, which are designed digitally and produced through a process of information flow. Given that digital information is easy to copy, distribute and transform, it has become easier to incorporate the work of others not by

Palaeolithic-type diet and the metabolic syndrome Essay

Palaeolithic-type diet and the metabolic syndrome - Essay Example metabolic syndrome were randomized to a two-week dietary intervention with either a Palaeolithic-type diet (n=18), based on anthropological researches or a healthy diet reference (n=14), based on the guidelines of Dutch Health Council. Both primary and secondary outcomes of the study were measured. Oral glucose tolerance and characteristics of MetS (blood pressure, glucose levels, abdominal circumference, cholesterol levels) being primary. Intestinal permeability, inflammation and salivary cortisol were measured as the secondary outcomes. Emphasis was put on prevention of weight loss. 9 men and 25 women with an average BMI of 31.8 kg/m2 and average age of 53.5 years were evaluated. The Paleolithic type diet resulted in an overall decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol levels as compared to those who were subjected to the reference diet. However, the waist circumference decreased in all the subjects. Even though body weight was supposed to be kept stable, there was an overall reduction in weight of those who were subjected to the Paleolithic type diet as compared to those who were subjected to the reference diet. No changes were noted in the intestinal permeability, salivary cortisol or

Fast Food and Natural Food Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fast Food and Natural Food - Essay Example Sometimes processed vegetarian in packaged form is not good for well-being as they have many harmful chemical which is difficult to digest. Schlosser correctly finds that obesity rate is highest in USA than any other nation among first world. Around fifty percent of grown up Americans and about twenty five percent of American kids are in the category of either obese or overweight. This proportion has grown very rapidly in last ten years as it is almost twice the obesity rate in comparison to last part of 1970s. Steffen(2008) said in "Burgers, fries, diet soda: metabolic syndrome blue-plate special" published by American Heart Association rapid access journal report , "Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors including elevated waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol and high fasting glucose levels. The presence of three or more of the factors increases a person's risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Benchmarking as a Tool to Improve Business Practices

Benchmarking as a Tool to Improve Business Practices BenchmarkingÂÂ  (best practice benchmarking or process benchmarking) is a process used in management and particularly strategic management, in which organizations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best practice, usually within their own sector. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time, and cost. Improvements from learning mean doing things better, faster, and cheaper. This then allows organizations to develop plans on how to adopt such best practice, usually with the aim of increasing some aspect of performance. Benchmarking is often treated as a continuous process in which organizations continually seek to challenge their practices. NEEDS AND BENEFITS FOR BENCHMARKING Organizations use benchmarking for a variety of purposes. Some organizations position benchmarking as part of an overall problem-solving process with a clear mandate for organizational improvement .Others position benchmarking more as a proactive mechanism to keep themselves aware of the state-of-the-art business practices. Some of the reasons organizations use benchmarking processes are: STRATEGIC PLANNING It requires a thorough knowledge of the market place, the likely activities of the competition, the state of the art regarding products or services being produced, financial requirements for doing business in market, and the customer base. Benchmarking is useful tools for gathering information in these areas during the process of strategic planning. This type of information can shape a business strategy in a more realistic direction, or at least help identify the risks of doing business in certain markets. FORECASTING Benchmarking information is often used to gauge the state of the marketplace and to forecast market potentials .it also provides a source of information regarding the business directions of key players in the marketplace, trends in product/service developments, patterns of consumer behaviour and so on. in many industries, the business direction of a few major companies can shape the direction of an entire marketplace.forecastion the activities of these types of organizations often provides their competitors and support services companies with important information about future implications for their businesses. NEW IDEAS Benchmarking is an excellent source of new ideas. One of the primary large scale benchmarking is that it exposes individuals to new products, work processes, and ways of managing company resources.benchamarking requires that individuals establish formal contacts outside their oragainizations.the reward is exposure to different ideas and approaches to conducting business. It also provides an opportunity for employees to think out of the box to consider alternative paradigms and to engage in What if thinking. PRODUCT/PROCESS COMPARISONS A common type of benchmarking involves the collection of information about the products or processes of competitors or excellent companies. This information is often collected and used as a standard of comparison for similar products or services of the benchmarking organization. This type of benchmarking confirms more costly with traditional competitive intelligence activities. in these competitions product or service is compared feature by feature with the product or servic3e of the company performing the analysis. GOAL SETTING Benchmarking is used as a means of identifying best practices. The standards set by excellent companies in many cases define what is possible on a state of art performances scale.These goals can help organizations accelerate their performance curves as they strive for continual improvement.Many small to medium size companies cannot hope to achieve the levels of performance of excellent companies that have far greater access to technologies,capital,or other resources.However,these companies can benefit dependant on organizational resources. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT TOOL Benchmarking is defined as the process of identifying and learning from the best practices in the world. By identifying the best practices, organizations know where they stand in relation to other companies. The other companies can point out problem areas and provide possible solutionsBenchmarking allows organizations to better understand their administrative operations, and targets areas for improvement. In addition, benchmarking can eliminate waste and improve a companys market share. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TOOL Benchmarking is increasing in popularity as a tool for continuous improvement. Organizations that faithfully use benchmarking strategies achieve a cost savings of 30 to 40 percent or more. Benchmarking establishes methods of measuring each areas units of output and costs. In addition, benchmarking supports the process of budgeting, strategic planning, and capital planning. ENHANCED PERFORMANCE TOOL Benchmarking also allows companies to learn new and innovative approaches to issues facing management, and provides a basis for training. Benchmarking improves performance by setting achievable goals. ENHANCED LEARNING TOOL Another reason to benchmark is to overcome disbelief and to enhance learning. For example, hearing about another companys successful processes and how they work helps employees believe theres a better way to compete. GROWTH POTENTIAL TOOL Benchmarking may cause a needed change in the organizations culture. After a period of time in the industry, an organization may become too practiced at searching inside the company for growth. The company would be better off looking outside for growth potential. An outward-looking company tends to be a future-oriented company usually leading to an enhanced organization with increased profits. JOB SATISFACTION TOOL Benchmarking is growing and changing so rapidly, benchmarkers have banded together and developed how-to networks to share methods, successes, and failures with each other. The process has successfully produced a high degree of job satisfaction and learning. HELPS OVERCOME PARADIGM BLINDNESS Benchmarking is a powerful management tool because it overcomes paradigm blindness. Paradigm Blindness can be summed up as the mode of thinking, The way we do it is the best because this is the way weve always done it. Benchmarking opens organizations to new methods, ideas and tools to improve their effectiveness. It helps crack through resistance to change by demonstrating other methods of solving problems than the one currently employed, and demonstrating that they work, because they are being used by others. COMPETITIVE BENCHMARKING Some authors call benchmarking best practices benchmarking or process benchmarking. This is to distinguish it from what they call competitive benchmarking.ÂÂ  Competitive benchmarkingÂÂ  is used in competitor analysis. When researching your direct competitors you also research the best company in the industry (even if it serves a different location) .(MichaelJ.Spendolini n.d.) BENCHMARKING PROCESS: Identify your problem areasÂÂ   Because benchmarking can be applied to any business process or function, a range of research techniques may be required. They include: informal conversations with customers, employees, or suppliers; exploratory research techniques such as focus groups; or in-depth marketing research, quantitative research, surveys, questionnaires, reengineering analysis, process mapping, quality control variance reports, or financial ratio analysis. Identify organizations that are leaders in these areasÂÂ   Look for the very best in any industry and in any country. Consult customers, suppliers, financial analysts, trade associations, and magazines to determine which companies are worthy of study. Survey companies for measures and practicesÂÂ   Companies target specific business processes using detailed surveys of measures and practices used to identify business process alternatives and leading companies. Surveys are typically masked to protect confidential data by neutral associations and consultants. Visit the best practice companies to identify leading edge practicesÂÂ   Companies typically agree to mutually exchange information beneficial to all parties in a benchmarking group and share the results within the group. Implement new and improved business practicesÂÂ   Take the leading edge practices and develop implementation plans which include identification of specific opportunities, funding the project and selling the ideas to the organization for the purpose of gaining demonstrated value from the process. THE ETHICAL ASPECTS OF BENCHMARKING In benchmarking, ethics is defined as principles, guidelines, or standards that determine a protocol of interaction between individuals and organizations. Many ethical questions may arise in the course of a benchmarking procedure. Two of the main questions which Johnson deals with are: * Can the recipient take credit for developing the idea, approach, and so forth? * If the benchmarking partner received information of tremendous value, can they take credit for it in their advertising? These questions cannot be answered quickly or easily. Partners in the benchmarking process need to communicate their expectations and feelings on these issues, and to follow some basic guidelines. They should establish specific and detailed ground rules. This includes the notion that ideas are not shared to gain competitive advantage, but are shared so both partners can improve or benefit. Questions should not be asked about a companys sensitive data; partners shouldnt be pressured to divulge this information to continue the benchmarking process. Data should be treated as confidential; it shouldnt be used to limit competition or to gain business. (MichaelJ.Spendolini. THE BENCHMARKING BOOK. AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION-AMACOM.) COST OF BENCHMARKING Benchmarking is a moderately expensive process, but most organizations find that it more than pays for itself. The three main types of costs are: Visit costs This includes hotel rooms, travel costs, meals, a token gift, and lost labour time. Time costs Members of the benchmarking team will be investing time in researching problems, finding exceptional companies to study, visits, and implementation. This will take them away from their regular tasks for part of each day so additional staff might be required. Benchmarking Database Costs Organizations that institutionalize benchmarking into their daily procedures find it is useful to create and maintain a database of best practices and the companies associated with each best practice now. TYPES OF BENCHMARKING Process benchmarkingÂÂ   The initiating firm focuses its observation and investigation of business processes with a goal of identifying and observing the best practices from one or more benchmark firms. Activity analysis will be required where the objective is to benchmark cost and efficiency; increasingly applied to back-office processes where outsourcing may be a consideration. Financial BenchmarkingÂÂ   Performing a financial analysis and comparing the results in an effort to assess your overall competitiveness and productivity. Benchmarking from an Investor perspective- Extending the benchmarking universe to also compare to peer companies that can be considered alternative investment opportunities from the perspective of an investor. Performance BenchmarkingÂÂ   Allows the initiator firm to assess their competitive position by comparing products and services with those of target firms. Product BenchmarkingÂÂ   The process of designing new products or upgrades to current ones. This process can sometimes involve reverse engineering which is taking apart competitors products to find strengths and weaknesses. Strategic BenchmarkingÂÂ   Involves observing how others compete. This type is usually not industry specific, meaning it is best to look at other industries. Functional BenchmarkingÂÂ   A company will focus its benchmarking on a single function to improve the operation of that particular function. Complex functions such as Human Resources, Finance and Accounting and Information and Communication Technology are unlikely to be directly comparable in cost and efficiency terms and may need to be disaggregated into processes to make valid comparison. Best-in-class BenchmarkingÂÂ   Involves studying the leading competitor or the company that best carries out a specific function. Operational BenchmarkingÂÂ   Embraces everything from staffing and productivity to office flow and analysis of procedures performed. Energy BenchmarkingÂÂ   Developing an accurate model of a buildings energy consumption with the purpose of measuring reductions in usage. As mentioned earlier, many companies use the benchmarking process: Avon Products, Exxon Chemical, Microsoft, Ford, and General Motors. Xerox is known as the pioneer of benchmarking. By benchmarking, Xerox cut quality problems by two-thirds, cut manufacturing costs in half; cut development time by two-thirds; and while increasing volume cut direct labor by 50 percent and corporate staff by 35 percent. All improvements were not a direct result of benchmarking: The improved process and climate indirectly improved the rest of the organization. General Motors (GM) compares itself to the best-in-class company. This benchmarking shows GM where they are going wrong and that it is possible to do it better. The company compared its labor hours per vehicle to Fords: GM had 30 labor hours per vehicle; Ford only had 19 a dramatic gap. GM also benchmarked from Toyota. Toyota was superior in four areas: defects per vehicle, warranty cost per vehicle, order response time, and fasteners per car. GM needed to improve in all these areas for future success. The company also looked at Suzuki, regarded as a leader in properly painting vehicles the first time. Finally, GM looked at NUMMI in three areas: external JIT parts, internal JIT parts, and fastener part numbers. Due to the suffering automotive market in the early 1980s, Ford needed to change its operations to cut costs. Ford managers believed they could improve processes in the accounts payable department. After gathering, analyzing, and comparing data with Mazdas accounts payable operations, Ford retooled its own accounts payable operations and reduced costs by 5 percent. (DEAN ELMUTI 1997) CONCLUSION Benchmarking has consequences which are beyond the process itself: it reforms all the levels of the company.; modifies the process of manufacture of the product leads(drives) ; also reforms the hierarchical organization of the company, the product itself, and the state of mind of the employeesThere is no doubt that benchmarking is here to stay. Any company should benchmark if it wants to attain world-class competitive capability, prosper in a global economy, and above all, if it wants to survive. These trends are not an option for companies anymore; they should be done by all who want to remain competitive. All companies strive to be profitable, competitive, and successful. Benchmarking can help any company succeed-as long as it is applied correctly ABSTRACT Benchmarking is the search for industry best practises. Improvements from learning mean doing things better, faster, and cheaper. This then allows organizations to develop plans on how to adopt such best practice, usually with the aim of increasing some aspect of performance. Benchmarking is often treated as a continuous process in which organizations continually seek to challenge their practices.Benchmarking is a way to move away from tradition and one of the major strategic management tools. It carefully dissects the organization into segments, and then removes and inserts pieces to account for changing environments. Changes occur once the process has started, and will continue to change and mold the organization for as long as individuals are continuously striving to make it better.

17th century english writers Essays -- essays research papers

The Pen Is Mightier Than The King The 17th century saw a king’s head roll and an English Caesar sit the throne, in the midst of all of this a new class was rising. England in the 17th century was rife with change, there was much work to be done before the industrial revolution could fully grip the nation. For hundreds of years the monarch had dominated the political landscape, now that was changing radically. Although their remained a Monarch in power for most of this period they had seen their powers limited to the point of reducing them to the status of figurehead. As farming techniques and technology had improved, the population in England had increased steadily and the use of this new technology created a new class in society.(1) This merchant class was on the rise due in large part to the captured markets in North America and the West Indies which had made many a merchant richer than their aristocratic brethren. The British Parliament had seen its power expand over the last hundred years and would continue that trend in the 17th century finding itself with the power to behead even the king.(1) As Parliament flexed their new found muscle the king was forced to find the funding for his political intrigues among the new merchant class. In addition to this new found monetary prowess the middle classes had been exposed to a rich variety of philosophers who espoused the right of the people to rule themselves.(1) Revolution in the New World and in parts of Europe increasingly made the lower classes aware of their right to self-governance. The parliament a representative of the people showed its power in the 17th century by enacting the â€Å"Glorious Revolution† and crippling the English monarchy for the rest of time.(1) Indeed in the next century the French Revolution would show that not only a government body had the power to remove royalty, the common people could also spill royal blood. As a result of this change in the class structure Monarchs and parliament where forced to recognize the power of the common people and they would from then on need to seek the peoples favor. The danger of an uprising was quite real and could not be controled by marshal means, as there was no standing police force or army.(1) In addition leaders of the time where selected by birth and not by political prowess and as such many of them lacked the eloquence to persuade the pe... ... lost their power and the war ended soon after this publication.(1) Each of these men has come to be associated with literary greatness and deservedly so, however at the time of their death they may not have felt the sense of accomplishment that they had earned. With the possible exception of Milton the early 17th century authors were limited both in the ideas that they could legally express and in the career opportunities that they could pursue, these men Dryden, Locke and Milton paved the way for the later authors and the freedoms that they enjoyed. In all of their cases they came from modest middle class backgrounds and were educated with money earned by their merchant class parents. The leaders of their time sought them out for this very reason as it allowed them to more effectively communicate their point of view to the increasingly powerful middle class. Although the rulers who sought to use them for their skill in communication may have gained some temporary benefit from their services, it is all subsequent English speaking authors who have be nefited the most from their labors in that they do not have to chain themselves to the prevailing sentiment in society to be heard.

Mendez vs Westminster Essay

We all know of the famous trial that happen on May 17, 1954, a trial that ended all segregation in school districts all over the United States of America. With this law being enforce by the 14th amendment, it change the whole nation, colored people were now being allowed to enter into real academic schools, and compete for a better future. Of course I am talking about the Oliver Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, better known as Brown vs. the Board of Education. Even though this trial was a large stepping stone in the United States, it was not the first attempt at the desegregation of the school system. There was another case that was the creation of Brown vs. the Board of Education. This case has been forgotten over time due to the huge popularity of Brown vs. the Board of Education. Even though Brown vs. the Board of Education was more popular, both cases were important and had a large amount of similarities. The only differences were that the first was fought seven years prior to the second and a difference of ethnicity. Both cases were important in many ways, the only problem is, why is it that only one is credited and the other not? Both cases were fought for the same reason. Mendez vs. Westminster was the first big court case that stopped segregation in all the schools systems of the state of California. The reason I say this is the stepping stone of Brown vs. the Board of Education is because The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the favor of Mendez vs. Westminster, which concluded to the desegregation of schools all over California; this was the stepping stone to Brown vs. the board of Education because it was seven years prior to the ruling of Brown. The Mendez case was used to back up the Brown vs. Board of Education case and helped shape the ideas of a young NAACP attorney, Thurgood Marshall, it very surprising to people to see that Thurgood Marshall was also a lawyer in the Mendez case. You may be thinking that only LULAC (which is a Latino organization) was the only one involved with this case; but as you now know, the NCAAP contributed their part (Maria Blanco, The Lasting Impact of Mendez v. Westminster in the Struggle for Desegregation, Thu, Mar 25, 2010, http://www. immigrationpolicy. rg/perspectives/lasting-impact-mendez-v-westminster-struggle-desegregation). This was great because it forced two different ethnicities and cultures join together for the same cause, which was to have the same education as white individuals and to desegregate school campuses. We are going to be looking more into the history of the trial Mendez vs. Westminster, as well as how and why it started and similarities between both the Mendez case, a s well as the Brown Case. On April 1947 there was a decision ruling on the Mendez vs. the Board of Education. The United States of America Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco ruled in favor of Mendez and the other parents that stood up to the Westminster School District. Judge McCormick stated that â€Å"according to California Laws the segregation of Mexican-American public school children in the absence of a state law mandating their segregation violate California law as well as the equal protection of the law clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution (A History of Mexican Americans in California, Wed, Nov 17 2004 10:00:00 pm PDT http://www. cr. nps. gov/history/online_books/5views/5views5h99. htm)†. The reason this lawsuit did not go all the way to the Supreme Court was because in the Court’s ruling, it noted that the United States Supreme Court’s segregation decisions were not controlling because, at this time, there was no Hispanic race; In this era all Mexican Americans were considered Caucasian. â€Å"The key fact . . . was that California’s Education Code did not specifically provide for segregation of children of Mexican origin. . . . And since California law did not allow for separate Mexican schools, the requirement that children at tend such schools could be considered arbitrary action taken without ‘due process of law. †(Charles Wollenberg, All Deliberate Speed, 1976, p. 127) This case could not have gone to the Supreme Court because the law of the state said nothing about segregating Mexican Americans in the Constitution (http://www. cr. nps. gov/history/online_books/5views/5views5h99. htm)†. On Brown vs. the Board of Education it was a little different, because Black was considered a different race; and according to the Plessey vs. Ferguson case of 1896, it states it could segregate a race, as long as it provides a separate but equal law (http://www. cr. nps. gov/history/online_books/5views/5views5h99. tm). Now that we know a little bit more information about the trial, lets learn why all the Mexican American parents got together in order for their kids to get the same education as all the other Caucasian kids in the neighborhood. It all started in the late 1920s-1930s. As the Mexican and Mexican American population started to increase in California, more white Americans started getting scared; this led to segregation in schools. Not only were schools getting segregated but housing was also being segregated as well (Maria Blanco, The Lasting Impact of Mendez v.  Westminster in the Struggle for Desegregation, pg. 2 Thu, Mar 25, 2010). It all started in 1945 with Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, who were new to the city and had just moved to a farm in Westminster. The reason they moved to Westminster was because they had leased a farm there from a Japanese family, due to Roosevelt’s executive order 9066. As the Mendez family sent their kids to the public school closest to their neighborhood one early morning, which was the Seventeenth Street School, Westminster, in Orange County. The parents were shocked when both kids had to return, because they could not attend the school do to their race. They had to attend the Mexican American School that was further away. That was not the only case, the Mexican American schools that were built for the children, were unethical. The 17th Street School was not only brand new, but it also had had a beautiful playground, it had a nice cafeteria, it had good educators that could help the students, and do not forget a non-electronic fence. How could you compare that with Hover, which was the Mexican school? Hover was old and next to a cow pasture that was made out of old barracks WESTCOTT, JOHN. â€Å"OUR LEGACY: MILLENNIUM MOMENTS Family Rejected `Mexican School’; Mendez Vs. Westminster Ended State Segregation Ahead of U. S: MORNING Edition. † Orange County Register,1999). Robbie who was one of the Mexican American students, that was supposed to attend 17th Street School, but because of his ethnicity had to go to the other school Hover explains his experience, â€Å"†¦It was a terrible little shack, I don’t even remember having any monkey bars or any swings or anything like that to play with. In fact when we had to eat lunch, we would go outside and eat lunch at the tables that were next to the cow pasture. There was wire around the cow pasture to keep the cows out, but it was electrocuted. There was a little bit of electricity; at that time it was allowed to have a little bit of electricity on the wires to keep the cows from getting too close to the fence†¦ (Espinosa, Martina, California hidden curriculum: institutional Discrimination in the Fourth Grade, pg. 57)†.

Free sample - The Place of Technology in Marketing. translation missing

The Place of Technology in Marketing. The Place of Technology in MarketingTo begin with, quest to establish the place of technology in the marketing sector has been a matter that has been of great alarm. The most effective and cost effective technologies in use in the market have also been a matter of concern amongst scholars and businessmen. In line with this, cost effectiveness of technology and its impact to the customers has been a matter of apprehension. In this context, there are past studies as well as literatures that have been directed towards expounding on the matters mentioned as to be of great concern in the contemporary corporate world. Arguably, Hastings Saperstein (2008) is an example of literatures that have carried an in-depth research on the place of technology in marketing. According to this account, integration of technology and marketing is a recipe for top achievements in the market place. In this context, it has been argued that technology can be used to maintain a holistic customer management without much struggling and thus achieve maximum benefits. In line with this, Hastings Saperstein (2008, p.71), further points to technology as to have transformed marketing from backwater to mainstream. As such, technology has been pointed to change and facilitate consumer behavior towards purchase and loyalty. However, the IT has not served marketing well up to the current times though (p.71-72). Oldroyd Oldroyd (2007, p.230-234) provides that technology allows marketing solutions to be directed to the needs of the specific customers. In this sense, the authors points to the example of Tesco which is the world’s largest online retailer (p.230-234). It has actually made a lot of profits owing to the use of technology. As such, it has been established that technology has a greater role to play in bringing about growth and developments in the marketing sector. In the same line of thought, Zajas Church (1997, p. 243-245), points out to the fact that marketers have employed use of advertisements through TVs and internet which is the emerging technology to market their products. As a result, this has led to great sales and increased market share for their products. Together with this, Ray Acharya (2004, p.463) has examined the applications of IT in marketing. In this context, successful application of using technology in marketing has been identified with the examples of A mazon.com with the sale of books and search engines like Yahoo which market different products and others as such (Ray Acharya 2004, p.463). The greatest challenge however, is that most of the businesses have not yet established how to efficiently and cost-effectively apply technology in marketing. The review of the literature shows that technology has a place in marketing though this has not yet been effectively integrated.  Ã‚  Ã‚      References Hastings H, Saperstein J, 2008, Improve your marketing to grow your business: insights and innovation that drive business and brand growth, Wharton School Publishing, New Jersey. Oldroyd, M Oldroyd, M 2007, Marketing Environment 2007-2008, Butterworth-Heinemann, Massachusetts. Ray, AK Acharya, T 2004, Information Technology: Principles and Applications, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. Zajas, JJ Church, OD 1997, Applying telecommunications and technology from a global business perspective, Routledge, New York.

Shakespeares Essay Essays - Characters In Hamlet, Hamlet

Shakespeare's Essay Essays - Characters In Hamlet, Hamlet Shakespeare's Essay Alan Massy-Shakespeare's plays speak to us today with an extraordinary and an unfailing immediacy. There are themes in the play that are relevant to life today such as when mans social, political and ethical worlds are out of balance. This lack of balance is symbolized by a disjunction in his own health and in nature. In other words natural illnesses or occurrences are symbolic of the illness in his thinking. This happens today and is also illustrated in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Man often equates his own physical illness with the break down of his political system. In the opening scene of Hamlet Francisco says 'Tis bitter cold, / And I am sick at heart (1.1.9). His discomfort is a result of the political instability brought about by the death of Hamlet's father and the appearance of what they believe to be his ghost. Correspondingly in today's world many suffered and grieved greatly when Princess Diana passed away. She was loved by many and was seen as a remarkable person. Similarly, man often sees supposedly abnormal occurrences in nature as symbols or warning about the breakdown of political, social or ethical systems. In Hamlet Act I, Scene I, Lines 120, Horatio says the moon Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse. He compares the forthcoming downfall of Rome with the pending destruction of Denmark. He takes natures happenings to be a sign of future misfortunes for the state of Denmark. Today, people still do the same thing. For instance many religious groups take nature's destructive force, El Nino, to be forthcoming of Earth's Armageddon. Hamlet's timelessness can be seen through the themes that it portrays. Political, social and ethical corruption will never disappear. As long as time stands their will always be these moral dilemmas which we still face today and seemingly forever.

SMART Goal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

SMART Goal - Assignment Example In working out the core competency, some critical aspects must be considered. The aspect to be put on considerations is the skill, knowledge and attributes (KSA) that is related with this competency. The only KSA that is related with core competencies is using evidence to guide nursing practice. In unison, the core competence and the KSA will be used to form a leadership development smart goal. I will research on benefits of using evidence-based practice on employees who commit errors while doing nursing procedures in hospital, after I seek approval from the hospital manager. Review nursing procedure manual and guidelines, and convene a meeting with organizers of continuous medical education. Review scholarly articles and credible databases to obtain information on how using evidence to guide your practice can benefit the employees by November 24, 2014 (MacLeod, 2012). As policy dictates for any other institution, one has to seek approval before any investigative or research is done. This is usually done to safe guide the interest of others who might be implicated on the research if the motive of the research is bad. To avoid researches that might wrongfully implicated on any research the motive must be assessed. On approval one need to display the proposal of the research and what he or she is seeking to achieve. With this very reason, I had to seek for the approval from the hospital manager in order to get the consent and a go ahead letter to pursue my research on the benefit of evidenced practice in the hospital set up on the employees that commit many errors for the absence of using evidence to guide their practice. This should come first on the action plan. Next on the action plan was to review the procedure manuals and the guidelines being used in the practice. The intention is to identify the most current position of the employees with regard of material being used to practice in the hospital. This one of the problem

Students, Taxpayers Forced to Pay for Abortions on College Campuses Essay

Students, Taxpayers Forced to Pay for Abortions on College Campuses - Essay Example The report elicited much outrage from pro-life activists and taxpayers across the nation who wished for this hole in the federal legislation (put in place to stop taxpayer funding of abortions) plugged. Before one can comment on the validity of either the pro-life or pro-abortion viewpoint in this situation, it is important to understand the legislation in question namely, the Hyde Amendment. Passed by the Congress in 1976, the Hyde Act is a legislation that removes abortion from the healthcare services provided to low income groups by the federal government through Medicaid (ACLU, 2004). The only exception to this law was made in cases of rape, incest or when the woman’s life was endangered by a physical disorder, illness or injury. Though the act has to be renewed every year, it is quite clear in its stand that federal funds are not to be used to fund abortions. The Act was adopted by most states as were subsequent similar legislations that permitted insurance companies to r efuse cover to patients for abortions or counsel and referrals related to abortions. In addition to poor women, the act also affected Native Americans, federal employees and dependents, Peace Corps volunteers, federal prisoners, military personnel and their dependents and disabled women relying on Medicare. The study on healthcare in universities by Students for Life of America (SFLA) examined the systems in 200 universities across the states with regard to university sponsored or subsidized healthcare plans. With data retrieved from the Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System (IEPDS), SFLA discovered that a number of universities (such as in North Carolina) required students to have healthcare plans and automatically enrolled them in plans that covered elective abortions (SFLA 2011). To be precise, 33.5% of the schools surveyed made it mandatory for students to have healthcare coverage, 97% of these offered school sponsored healthcare plans, 44.3% of this segment offered pl ans that included cover for elective abortions, and 44% of these schools automatically enrolled their students in these programs. Also, 33% of the 200 schools automatically enrolled the students in school sponsored plans to their accounts and 57% of these plans covered elective abortions (SFLA 2011). While one might argue that the university was being responsible and considerate in ensuring that medical problems and especially unwanted pregnancies did not interfere with the education of their students, there were many who found it hard to digest. There were two main reasons for this, one being that the healthcare plan was believed to encourage carelessness among youngsters, counteracting decades of sexual awareness campaigns and the second being that this provision was in direct contradiction of the Hyde Amendment and other similar legislations. Grants such as the Pell Grant offered to students use federal funds provided to universities to bridge the gap between the economic capacit y of the student and the actual fees of the course. Since some of these universities include their health plans in the students’ fees by default, it indicates that the federal funds are indirectly used to pay for health insurance that covers elective abortion

Economics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Economics - Assignment Example Instead of closing out contracts with cash settlements, a common procedure on the commodities market, the Hunts took delivery on silver. They then stockpiled this silver and used their large cash reserves to buy up even more futures. The billions in demand triggered the rise of silver to more than $50 per ounce.† (Beattie, 2010) If speculation can have this much of an impact on the price of a fixed commodity – and the silver price plummeted when the Hunt brothers’ market corner was toppled – then the market cannot be totally reliable for an egalitarian distribution of resources. In this instance, a small minority with excess capital reserves could easily create massive market movements in price. It is the same with any commodity if a large capital interest takes hold in the sector and accumulates not from the need of supply, but based on speculation, then the aspects of banking and finance can come to determine even the price of coffee and tea. A free market based upon supply and demand and a free market fueled by speculation may not function in the same manner in determining market prices. If one reviews the ability of a group of brothers like the Hunts to move prices in silver, what could a nation-state, for example, accomplish if it were to try to monopolize a sector of commodities, or accumulate from a perception of scarcity. One example of this would be the Chinese State-owned and financed oil companies or loans being given to businesses by State-sponsored banks to buy commodities like copper, driving up the price. Q.2 - In free market economics, government interference and influence in the economy is rejected, in favor of the pure dynamics of supply and demand being determinant in driving prices, investment, capital flows, and other aspects of trade, manufacturing, and business activity. In this theory, the market operates naturally and

Brand sense Essay Example for Free

Brand sense Essay In measuring the Brand Experience of the target segment, companies focus on the response and understanding of their customers and their reactions on the part of the particular five senses while handling the brand in question. Further, this array of experiences of the customer reveals the perception of the user extending the issue to question the self; about the identity or for using a certain brand, what image the customer gets about the self. Speaking strictly, who am I? This is a kind question that seeks the image or the perceived image of the person; thus, the personality. Relating the perceived image of the user and the brand in use; Brand Personality of the brand can be derived. In this entire process the essence of a brand can be identified by using different senses for different kinds of brand with need and experience of different customers, the employees involved with the brand and the particular target segments. To make a cross-section of this marketing idea; the unique presentation of the senses and the allied questions to the brand, can be observed in the brand sensory wheel that segregates the divisions of the total composition of the senses (Brand Sense, 2001). Source: Harvest Consulting Group LLC. The discovery of the sensory approach has enabled companies to unfold the essence of the current service and the possibilities of the future avenues. Author has logisised this that it will enrich the brand loyalty and makes the existing relationship deeper. Behind this happening, the five senses can play a crucial role. To know the fate of a brand conducting the sensory audit is a vital step to forecast the brand’s multiplication power on its sensory touch point. Ascertaining the brand’s stimuli, enhancement, and bonding capabilities, decides the execution of the above knowledge. The essence of this approach is the simple fundamental of including more senses to make the brand base stronger. We also follow this while evaluating the brand and its surroundings too. To explain, a visual encounter of Starbucks retail follows the suite bellow: Sight: Brand logo on building, cups, and bags Sight/Sound: Uniform and customer approach Sight/Sound/Touch: Interior aesthetics (sofa, colors, wall paper, music) Smell/Taste: Distinct aroma of freshly ground coffee This process also unveils the concept of smashability factor, which measures the strength of an individual sense for a brand and hoe much impact it can give. A real-time example of the application of the auditory sense reflects from the recent transformation of the Cadillac brand. For the hard penetration of the European and Japanese car makers into the American luxury car segment, Cadillac Source: brand papers. had to bear the burn of declining sales figure during late 80s and early 90s. To retrieve the brand from the grip of the downward graph, the same has been assessed, disassembled, reassembled, and re-positioned by late 90s. To do so, the brand invested in molecule analysis to create a new meaning to its design and market preference. This entire process has remodelled the brand from its â€Å"grandpa drove into a fast, sexy, and desirable product† concept to the recent Caddy commercial with Led Zeppelin playing â€Å"been a long time† that blaring out from the speaker (Brand papers, 2009). the innovation of the sensory branding has opened a plethora of concepts to associate the brand with the target group and it has no end to create feel factors. This is because, the central theme of this process is entirely depending on the nature, which again is the adobe of the man kind. Reference Brand Sense.(2001). Building Brands with Sensory Experiences. New York: Harvest Consulting Group LLC. Brand papers. (2009). Sensory Approach. Retrieved March 14, 2009, from http://images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http://www. brandchannel. com/images/papers/272_gm_flagship_cl. gifimgrefurl=http://www. brandchannel. com/papers_review. asp%3Fsp_id%3D680usg=__eiohIvWqTVwC7vNmelzj2n_t4JQ=h=315w=400sz=52hl=enstart=14um=1tbnid=Ny3PU6pNRmcVVM:tbnh=98tbnw=124prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrand%2Bsense%252BMartin%2BLindstrom%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1 Lindstrom, M. (2005). Brand Sense: Build Powerful Brands through Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, and Sound. New York: Simon Schuster Adult Publishing Group. Additional Reading Johnson, L. and Learned, A. (2004). Dont think pink: what really makes women buyand how to increase your share of this crucial market. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. Ornbo, J. ; Sneppen, C. and Wurtz, P. F. (2008). Experience-Based Communication (illustrated). Springer.

Attachment And Associated Disorders In A Classroom Education Essay

Attachment And Associated Disorders In A Classroom Education Essay EE and JE are two brothers, age eleven and eight respectively, who attend the same mainstream primary. Both children were identified as having difficulties considered consistent within Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and therefore each was issued with a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Statement. Both children have recently started to experience social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD) at an intensity which is of great concern for those professionals working with them. A more detailed description of these difficulties will be outlined in the following section. The school they attend opened an ASD Resource Base (RB) in September 2009. The siblings have been timetabled in the Base according to their language and cognitive developmental levels. They were mapped for this wave 3 intervention with the view of increasing their successful inclusion in the mainstream educational offer. For EE, initial assessment lead professionals to allocate 60% of his school time in the RB, along with eight other students of different ages but similar educational needs. All nine children have been assessed within P Scale levels (QCA, 2005). JEs learning difficulties are of a moderate nature and therefore he was grouped in a different ability group with other three students. All children in this group were assessed to be working at National Curriculum level 1. JEs group was scheduled four weekly sessions in the Base with the view to provide additional support in the development of the childrens Literacy, Numeracy and Social/Emotional skills. All teachers involved in their education are developing a shared understanding of the use of Provision Maps (PMs), personalised documents that provide an overview of the childrens allocated wave 2 and wave 3 interventions, as well as their long and short term educational targets. PMs are used to inform teachers planning, both in the mainstream classroom and in the RB. In addition, they provide staff with a shared understanding of each childs educational needs (Gross, 2008). PMs also contribute to the schools inclusive ethos, supporting Riesers (1995) proposal that SEN should be part of the schools equal opportunities policy rather than being considered as a separate issue (cited in Cowne, 2000). Any child on role at this primary can access to the provision that is additional to or different from the mainstream offer at any time their needs indicate so, whether they present with SEN or not. The purpose of this essay is not necessarily to challenge the subjects ASD diagnoses but to analyse the nature of the behaviours they are currently manifesting, which may provide some relevant explanations and result in useful interventions once and if attachment disorders are considered. Johnson (1992) and Williams, OCallaghan and Cowie (1994), authors cited in Geddes (2006), maintain that childrens attachment experiences have implications for those seeking to support them in their learning process. It is the authors assumption that the two boys in this study are using behaviour as a way to communicate their emotional needs. This essay will attempt to give meaning to their current behaviour using Geddes Learning Triangle Theory (2006) and apply this analysis to inform future practice. Recent behavioural changes in both siblings if considered jointly may contribute to critically identifying possible parenting issues, which could prove significant as both children are currently being assessed as potentional candidates for the Child Protection Register. Identifying Problem Behaviours: an outline of background information and recent behavioural observations. EE is the eldest of the siblings and will be moving to secondary education in September 2010. He was diagnosed with ASD when he was almost 3 years old. EE presents with severe difficulties in the three areas of development which constitute the triad of impairments at the core of the autistic spectrum: social and emotional understanding; all aspects of communication; and flexibility of thought and behaviour (Jordan, 2005). During his primary education, EE has been known as a compliant boy, very quiet and tranquil. He tends to keep to himself but responds well to adult lead activities. He finds it hard to stay focused on activities that are not of his own choosing but understands boundaries and responds well to positive behavioural management approaches used with individuals with ASD, such as making connections with key adults, clear expectations, and verbal praise (Kluth, 2003). Over the past two months, EE has shown increasing signs of anxiety in response to other children suddenly b ecoming upset. On one occasion, a little girl in his RB group accidentally hurt herself and began to cry inconsolably. The change in his muscle tone was very apparent to those working with him. He became very rigid and placed his hands on his stomach. After a minute or two, and once the girl had calmed down, EE asked to go to the toilet, which he never had done before during lesson times. While it is reported that EE has been receptive to criticism in the past, he is currently very sensitive to any sign of disapproval, getting easily upset if he feels he is in trouble and often denying any wrongdoing. If another child hurts him/herself and a graze is apparent, EE tries to communicate the incident to an adult. He has begun relating these incidents to his own experiences, intentionally expressing these connections to the adults working at the RB and consequently disclosing events of concern. He has pointed at scars on his body while naming his brother. When asked what happened, EE usu ally responds mummy slaps JE. EEs language difficulties are a barrier to him expressing his needs and historically he has not initiated a conversation with another person. The contexts in which EE feels the need to share his own thoughts are related to others or himself being in physical pain. Recently EEs appetite has also worsened and he is reluctant to join in at snack time, having to be regularly encouraged to eat. It would then seem reasonable to consider EEs behaviours, such as the changes in his appetite, noticeable anxiety and withdrawal, as symptoms possibly associated with a specific emotional disorder, such as depression or anxiety (DfEE, 2001). JE is a year 4 student and the second child of what is about to become a family of four siblings. JE also was diagnosed with ASD at the age of four. He has always had a very loud and active nature. His language impairment is more apparent in his expressive skills, especially when involved in some kind of conflict with his peers. JE is known for his tendency to be non-compliant. When contradicted or challenged, he initially would protest verbally, but would comply with key adults like his teacher or LSA. He had not shown any physical aggression until two months ago. JE regularly appears in a heightened state of anxiety and he has become increasingly negatively fixated on one particular child, with whom he has experienced difficulty interacting with throughout his schooling. His sensitivity to criticism has accentuated recently and his difficulties in initiating and maintaining positive and trusting relationships with both peers and adults are escalating. JEs most challenging behaviour is his determination to always be in control at whatever the cost, both in class and at playtimes. He appears increasingly restless and has expressed lack of sleep. The nature of JEs SEBD is gradually proving more challenging to those working with him, to the extreme of being at risk of permanent exclusion. He is developing a pattern of flight and fight (Geddes, 2006), demonstrating an increasing violence against school property and/or adults. Physical restrain is met with spitting, kicking, punching, and even with the shouting of false accusations. Sometimes the trigger to his outburst can be peers succeeding in tasks or behaviours which he has declined to attempt himself. At other times, the outburst occurs when he has been denied permission to go to the toilet or to access to a preferred activity. His ability to remain on task is deteriorating. When a member of the mainstream staff referred to calling his father to report his behaviour, JE begged for it not to happen, alegating that his father would hit him with the belt. Despite knowing of his tendency to lie, the leadership considered all recent developments involving both siblings, and the schools child protection officer referred their case to Children Services. Circular 9/94 (DfEE, 1994) defines (S)EBD as difficulties presented in a continuum between behaviour which challenges teachers but which can be considered within normal developmental bounds and that which is indicative of serious mental illness. In EEs case, the behaviours he is presenting could be considered typical within the autistic spectrum, yet it is the sudden change parallel to those observed in his younger brother that has alerted professionals working with him, triggering a multidisciplinary analysis of the possible causes underlying these behaviours. JEs disruptive and disturbing behaviours, the deterioration of his social skills and his escalating distress, have lead the author of this paper to consider a possible overlap between his SEBD and mental health difficulties (SEBDA, 2006). It would appear that his current case scenario fits within the DfES (2001) definition of conduct/anti-social disorders: Conduct disorder is a term used by mental health specialists to describe a syndrome or core symptoms, which à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ involve three overlapping domains of behaviour: defiance of the will of someone in authority; aggressiveness; and anti-social behaviour that violates other peoples rights, property or person. (DfES, 2001 p.24) A referral to Children and Adolescence Mental Health Services (CAMHS) followed this hypothesis, but in the interim that assessment is undertaken by the designated professionals, staff involved with JEs education relates to Geddes (2006) assertion of the practitioners need to reflect upon the effect that he is having on those working with him. Professionals agree that the severity of JEs behaviour at times of crisis appears to be negatively affecting professionals ability to think and respond using best practice, thus the system is becoming reactive with an increase in punitive responses and fixed term exclusions. JE is gradually becoming more rejected and unpopular amongst his peers and the adults around him, which is having a detrimental effect on his self-esteem and consequently his academic performance is decaying hastily. Difficulties in interpersonal relationship skills correlate highly with self-esteem, affect school performance and other psychosocial domains (Dana, 2009). JEs emotional and social difficulties seem to be spiraling within Danas assertion. Greenhalgh (1994) emphasizes that for those children affected with emotional and behavioural difficulties, their ability to learn is strongly linked to the childrens ability to relate to others. His assertion could be then considered in connection with the pioneer work of Bowlby (1969; cited in Bowlby, 1988) on Attachment Theory. Bowlby explains attachment behaviour as a set of behaviour patterns meant to develop during the childs early months of life. He adopts an ethological approach to the understanding of parenting and identifies the need for protection as the reason for the development of attachment between infant and caregiver. Attachment can be explained as the emotional bond that develops between the two, providing the infant with emotional security (Peardy, 1998). Cooper, Smith and Upton (1994) considered that behaviour problems in schools could be caused by the emotional difficulties emerging as a consequence of difficult family backgrounds or physical/sexual abuse. Ainsworths experiment called The Strange Situation (1978; cited in Geddes, 2006 and Pearce, 2009) contributed to the identification of the essential input of the mothers sensitivity to her infant in the development of attachment patterns. It is reported that JEs social and emotional difficulties, specially his inability of developing trusting and long lasting relationships, have always been present during his schooling, but has taken a more anti-social direction in recent times. Prior to critically analysing the attachment patterns observed in the teaching and learning environment of the RB thus the individuals SEBD can be analysed under the Attachment Theory framework -, it appears relevant to first consider the Attachment Theory in relation to children diagnosed with autistic disorders. Attachment patterns in children with ASD. Parenting children with ASD can be highly stressful (Koegel et al. 1992 and Dum et al. 2001; cited in Rutgers et al. 2007). Rutgers et al. (2007) explain how a number of researchers maintain that impairments in social interaction may have their impact on parental interactive behaviour, suggesting that parenting is particularly affected by the childs lack of adaptability, his/her demandingness and the parents acceptability of the childs disability. Despite this fact, Rutgers et al. (2007) conclude that children with ASD are able to show secure attachment behaviours to their parents regardless of their impairments in social interactions. The results of their study, also indicate that children with ASD who present with attachment disorders, follow a disorganised/disoriented pattern. Pearce (2009) describes this pattern as that defined by the childrens bizarre and contradictory behaviours towards the caregiver, exhibiting incomplete movements and poor affective displays. Rutgers et al. ( 2007) attribute the cause of these differences to the detrimental impact that the childrens social and language impairments can have on their parents interactive behaviour, especially when the children have severe difficulties in conventionally displaying their emotions. These authors maintain that with children with ASD, more sensitive parenting is not necessarily associated with more attachment security, whereas for children without ASD, more sensitive parenting is associated with more attachment security. These findings could be significant when identifying differences in the possible underlying causes of the siblings current SEBD. As outlined in the introduction of this essay, the aim of this present analysis is to underpin possible connections between the subjects SEBD and what Ainsworth et al. (1978, cited in Geddes, 2006; Rutgers et al. 2007; and Pearce, 2009) referred to as insecure patterns of attachment. Before considering possible attachment disorders as possible causes of the childrens SEBD, the siblings language difficulties have been taken into consideration. Teaching staff consulted the RB Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) in relation to a possible link between the childrens recent change in behaviour, their communication disorders, and their self-awareness. Law and Garrett (2004) cited the work done by Baker and Cantwell (1985) in order to determine the exact nature of the relationship between behavioural disorders and communication disorders. These authors concluded that early communication difficulties and behavioural problems are integrally linked in a common developmental trail that may beco me stronger as the child grows older. Both children have been receiving language therapy at school and since the opening of the RB, the hours of direct contact with the therapist have increased. During the first weeks of the school year, both children shown better than expected progress in all academic areas and SALT reported considerable improvement in their language and communication skills. Both children are demonstrating a strong need to communicate. Whether this need is to point at what is upsetting them or to link their present experiences to other environments is unknown. In consultation with the SALT, and in terms of their language development, it was agreed that both children are making good progress. It was then assumed that answers to the subjects change in behaviour needed to be found elsewhere. Understanding the nature of early experience and its disorders in the classroom could help staff understand the meaning of the childrens behaviour in school and indicate what kind of response and intervention may be effective (Geddes, 2006). Attachment patterns observed in the classroom: differences between the two siblings. Clements (2005) asserts that behaviour is driven by interactions between the individual and the environment, adopting an ecosystemic approach when understanding behaviour in children with ASD. Attachment Theory is yet another ecosystemic framework within which professionals have the opportunity to view pupils and their social and emotional difficulties holistically (Geddes and Hanko, 2006; Gross, 1987). Consequently, staffs understanding of the impact early experiences can have on the childrens behaviour at school could contribute to the emotional heath and well-being of all pupils (Geddes, 2006). Dowling and Osborne (1985; cited in Geddes, 2006) stress that children develop an understanding of relationships based on their experiences with parents and siblings, friends and extended family. Through these primary experiences, Dowling et al. explain how children will develop an understanding of rivalry for parental affection, sharing and ownership. Stern (1985) maintains that experience s of being in the company of an other are to be seen as active acts of integration, rather than as passive and unsuccessful intends of differentiation of their self. Both siblings seem to have recently suffered deterioration in their emotional well-being, yet they appear to be expressing these difficulties in very different ways: while EE is approaching adults for comfort, JE is attacking them. These differences, explains Bee (1997), could find an explanation in the biological argument explaining temperament and personality. The biological perspective considers that each individual is born with characteristic patterns determined genetically, which then establish the individuals responses to the environment and to other people (Ayers, Clarke and Murray, 1999; Bee, 1997). Goleman (1996) supports this statement and adds that each individual inherits a series of pre-set emotional features, which determine his/her temperament. It would seem, however, as if by adopting a biological perspe ctive to explain the differences in the siblings behaviours, the birth order of the children would then not be accounted for, nor any environmental factors. This would then contradict the advice of a number of researchers who advocate for the need to adopt an eclectic approach to the analysis of SEBD (Cooper et al., 1994; Cooper, 1999; Jones, 1999; Visser, 2002; Visser, 2005). JE is the second of three siblings and the family is currently expecting a fourth baby. EE was diagnosed with ASD soon after JE was born. Sterns (1998) assumption that experiencing the self in the company of another is to be seen as an experience towards integration might not have been such for JE. Links between Attachment Disorders and Mental Health Problems can be found in Greenhalghs (1994) work when he refers to Kleins (1946) concept of the paranoid-schizoid position, which is characterised by the individuals strong need for omnipotence, or in another words, the need to have things ones own way. They relat e omnipotence to the fear that allowing others to get their ways will stop the individual from preserving the experience of things being good. When identifying the problem behaviours in previous sections of this essay, it was mentioned JEs need to dictate his own way (e.g. he is to go to the toilet any time he wants to, not when he is scheduled to; he finds it very difficult to cope with the adults authority, often challenging it and reacting violently when feeling contradicted). Geddes (2006) applies the principles of the attachment patterns originally determined by Ainsworth et al. (1978; cited in Geddes, 2006; Rutgers et al. 2007; and Pearce, 2009) to the classrooms teaching and learning dynamics. She does so with what she names The Learning Triangle, established between the child, the teacher and the task. Rutgers et al. (2007) reached the conclusion that children with ASD tend to be less secure and more disorganised in their attachment pattern. This assertion could provide a th eoretical basis to critically consider JEs SEBD difficulties as being caused by a disorganised /disorientated attachment. When describing pupils whose attachment pattern is of this type, Geddes (2006) identifies the following responses to their schooling and learning: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the pupil is likely to: appear in a heightened state of anxiety; be highly vigilant and notice any slight distraction; have an absence of trust in the authority of adults; be insensitive to others feelings; place considerable importance on objects rather than relationships; may bully others perceived as vulnerable/reminders of their vulnerability; get into trouble a lot in relatively unsupervised settings such as the playground; experience overwhelming affect (feeling) which has no apparent meaning; sudden react to unseen triggers; be extremely sensitive to criticism and implied humiliation; have little development of the capacity to reflect à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and sadly appear to enjoy very little. (Geddes, 2006; pp. 108) JEs problem behaviours seem to be consistent with most of the patterns described above. When JE joins a lesson in the RB, he is asked about his mood. All pupils in his group are invited to register themselves according to six basic emotions. JE has only managed to identify two of the choices, excitement and anger. Over the past month, JE has regularly indicated feeling angry but he cannot express the reason behind his emotion. Research on the origins of anger and rage link aggression and violence to weak bonding in infancy and weak parenting (APA Commission on Violence, 1993; cited in Geddes, 2006). Geddes (2006) also quotes Holmes (2001) definition of outbursts of rage as a form of displacement activity resulting of an individuals dilemma between fear and need. She also classifies the learning profile of disorganised students as that of being omnipotent and controlling when approaching the classroom, reaching to the same consideration as other authors previously refer to (e.g. Klein , 1946 in Stern, 1998). On the other hand, EE is responding well to a nurturing approach to his emotional needs, which Clements (2005) identifies as one successful strategy for those individuals with ASD who like EE are sensitive or anxious and ready to avoid situations. When considering Geddes Learning Triangle to critically analyse EEs SEBD, the evidence compiled with the SALT; the fact that he is approaching the adults in the RB when feeling upset and/or distress; his growing ability to work independently with the support of visual aids; and his good response to the nurturing approach staff is adopting, could contribute sufficient evidence to consider EE as a securely attached pupil who over the last two months has been experiencing some external strain. His condition of first-born and his kind and gentle manner would appear to have contributed to his development of a secure attachment with his mother. Over the years, he has demonstrated a capacity to adapt to school and to respond to the demands of the academic and social setting in which learning takes place, which Geddes (2006) identifies as features characteristic of secure attachment, a social and emotional skill that children with ASD are capable of achieving (Rutgers et al. 2007). Geddes goes to describe the secure attached pupil as a child who presents with high scores of ego-resilience and self-esteem, less dependency on the teacher with the past of time, but with a growing affect for him/her. The securely attached pupil can increase the intentionality in his/her interactions with others and s/he is generally more co-operative. This would seem consistent with the recent improvement in EEs expressive skills assessed by the SALT as well as his ability to allow a key adult to help him focus back on task after an incident that may have upset him. Conclusions and advice for further practice It would seem that EEs emotional distress needs to be further assessed within the work of a multi-disciplinary team in order to bring some light to his family situation. His anxiety could be rooted to home events that are yet to be clarified. From an educational point of view, staff needs to advocate for his emotional well-being and continue offering a nurturing approach to his current needs (Clements, 2005). The conclusion reached in this discussion regarding the possible implications of an identified attachment disorder for JE, along with the nature of his behaviours, imply that the educational priority for the immediate future is to provide JE with safety, reliability and predictability (Geddes, 2006). Visual cues, such as visual timetables, are already being used. Clear expectations and behavioural boundaries are common and consistent practice amongst the staff of the RB and, in few occasions, JE has shown some positive responses to the authority of one of the teachers. It appears necessary that these same boundaries are consistently used in the mainstream provision. In order to guarantee that, the teacher with whom he seems to be developing a positive relationship could be allocated as his key worker for a period of time. For children identified as having a disorganised/disoriented attachment pattern, Geddes (2006) also recommends the use of a physical container as a possible therape utic strategy. She advocates that this resource can be interpreted as a secure base. This approach needs to be further explored, but taking into account that JE is very fond of comic characters, providing him with a toy that he can place in and out of a box during the school day as required by his emotions could facilitate him with a tool with which to explore and regain interest in the world around him. JE shows interest in playing with his peers and it is often his lack of skills to initiate positive interactions at playtimes that causes him trouble. JE could benefit from adult support at playtimes to facilitate good role models and assertive approaches to conflict, social skills strategies recognised as useful in helping individuals to improve their self-concept and achieve optimal levels of self-esteem (Roffey, Tarrant and Majors, 1994). EE and JE have both been displaying abnormal behaviour patterns and despite very similar diagnoses of ASD, they have been exhibiting markedly different responses to what is assumed as external factors possibly stressed within the home. Through this examination of attachment and associated disorders, it has been hypothesized that the variation in the boys response could possibly be due to JE suffering from an attachment disorder in addition to his original diagnoses of ASD. For this supposition to be validated it is acknowledged that there is need for an extensive multidisciplinary investigation in the home dynamics and further analysis of JEs mental health. The value of investigating attachment and associated disorders when analysing possible causes of individuals SEBD is that it can inform staff to look further than the original ASD diagnoses. If the supposition of JE presenting with an attachment disorder of a disorganized/disorientated pattern is correct, working on developing JEs attachment to and trust of staff, as well as maintaining the specialised ASD provision within the RB, can only be of benefit to him. Unlike EE, JE is not responding to the strategies advised as best practice for children with ASD.