A-Level Exam Time May Change

A-Level Exam Time May Change The OE Blog The government has put forward a progressive scheme to alter the timing of A-level exams in order to allow pupils to apply to university using the grades they have actually achieved, rather than relying on ‘predicted grades’ as they do under the current system. Proponents of the scheme argue that it would result in a much fairer allocation of university places, particularly giving a better chance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However there are also some concerns about the impact the plans would have on sixth form education. On the surface the plan seems to make a great deal of sense â€" with our higher education system in turmoil following the introduction of raised tuition fees and the ever increasing demand for places, why not at least simplify the application procedure by selecting candidates on the basis of their actual achievements rather than vague and potentially biased predictions? Startling evidence shows that a much higher proportion of students from state schools and the most disadvantaged backgrounds actually out-perform the grades they are predicted, compared to private school pupils from better-off areas who are more likely to meet or miss their predicted achievements. However, university places are allocated on the basis of predictions, not concrete grades, and the short ‘adjustment’ window during which pupils have the opportunity to try and find a place at a more prestigious university on the basis of better-than-expected grades is far too short to provide a practical opportunity for alteration. Even George Turnbull, of the examinations division of qualifications watchdog Ofqual, claims that the ‘transfer window’ leaves too “little room for manoeuvre”. Universities Minister David Willetts agreed that the system must be “re-engineered” to allow places to be allocated on the basis of actual achievement rather than “speculative applications”. If it is truly the case that enabling students to apply after receiving their results would provide a fairer system to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, the scheme must be applauded, but there might also be an argument for simply adjusting the system of grade predictions so that theirs are brought into line with those of other students instead. Changing the timeline of the entire academic year seems a rather dramatic solution to a problem that might surely be more simply tackled at the source, by new guidelines and boundaries for grade predictions and closer monitoring and checking of the accuracy of teachers’ suggestions. Changing the entire academic system to bring A-level examinations early enough in the year to allow time for the results to be processed before applying to university would create many difficult problems as well as solving them. For a start it would leave a yawning gap in the second and third terms of the final A-level year when sixth form students would have nothing further to study, creating huge problems for schools who would have to invent pointless syllabus fillers or allow effective truancy. Furthermore there would be a discrepancy between the dates on which students would receive their results depending on examination boards, subjects and retakes, creating an unfair advantage for those who would be able to apply earlier than others. These problems might be solved in several ways â€" it could, for instance, be extremely useful to transform the final A-level term into an opportunity for apprenticeships or work experience to be undertaken, but such a dramatic change would take a great deal of planning and organisation. In the meantime it seems facetious not to ask why universities don’t simply use AS-level results as a fair indication of a student’s academic level. At this stage the government is merely considering proposing the changes as part of the upcoming white paper due to be published in the months to come, but a great deal more thought and debate would have to be put into fine-tuning the scheme if it were eventually to be put into practice.

A Philosophy Of Education Analysis Of The Meno And Protagoras

A Philosophy of Education Analysis of the Meno and Protagoras The method of questioning that Socrates utilizes in the Meno is a type of poetic tale that is meant to reveal the idea of intelligence existing in the soul before birth. This type of story defines the importance of using allegory or using geometric figures to prove that a slave had a previous memory of geometry without being educated by a teacher. These types of questions seek to expose the fraud of sophistry by encouraging students to have faith in their â€Å"inner soul†, since it has memory of all that it has learned in previous lives. Therefore, Socrates attempts the trick the listen into understanding his point of view through a â€Å"mythos† or poetic tale. More so, the question of teaching virtue is also extended into the Protagoras dialogue, which defined a relativistic accounting of knowledge as not being absolute. These are important aspects of teaching methods that define how the Platonic dialogue defines inborn knowledge and the absolute nature of virtue in the soul. In the Meno, it is important to understand the concept of â€Å"knowledge† because the underlying argument for absolute truth is put forth by Socrates in the dialogue. Plato believed in the soul’s ability to know an absolute truth, which was carried within the soul before, during and after the life of the individual. However, the sophists believed that truth and knowledge was relativistic, which was different for every person. Attempting toShow MoreRelatedCan Virtue Be Acquired? An Examination of the Laches, Meno and Protagoras2955 Words   |  12 PagesCan Virtue be Acquired? An Examination of the Laches, Meno, and Protagoras In the Socratic dialogues of Plato, Socrates often argues against the pretence of knowledge in his interlocutors. In the case of the Laches, Meno, and Protagoras dialogues, the pretence is the knowledge of virtue, among other things. The Laches seeks a definition of arà ªte (virtue), the Meno examines the teaching of virtue, and the Protagoras offers a known expert the chance to defend that virtue can, indeed, be taught. UsingRead MorePlato And Aristotle s Political Situation2648 Words   |  11 Pageshigh-ranking class as his father acted as a physician to the Macedonian royal family, resulting in Aristotle’s access to an exceptional education through private tuition. In this way, Aristotle is similar to Plato, as he had the foundations of a brilliant education across a vast range of subjects and so, in 367 BCE, he was consequently sent to Athens to study philosophy with Plato. However, although Plato was his tutor, Aristotle did not agree with everything he was taught abo ut language theory. In

Translating So to Spanish

So is one of those English words that has so many meanings that it can be translated to Spanish in dozens of ways. As such, it can be a confusing word for Spanish students — as a strategy when translating so, youre often better off thinking of a synonym for the way it is used and translating that instead. This lesson looks at a few of the ways so is used and suggests possible translations. In all cases, the translations used are not the only ones possible. Translating So as an Adverb Meaning Very Most of the time when so is used as an adverb meaning very it can be translated as tan. However, muy is sometimes acceptable as well. I was so happy that I jumped in the air. Yo era tan feliz que saltà © en aire.My love for you is so strong. Es tan fuerte mi amor por ti. (Alternative: Es muy fuerte my amor por ti.)He did it so poorly. Lo hizo tan mal. (Alternative: Lo hizo muy mal.)The city is so small that once you leave downtown theres nothing else. La ciudad es tan pequeà ±a que una vez que te sales del centro, ya no hay nada.Why is it so difficult for us to be happy?  ¿Por quà © es tan difà ­cil que seamos felices?The meat was so tasty that it needed only salt. La carne era tan rica que solo necesitaba sal.   Translating So in Approximations As the context requires, various ways of expressing approximations can be used when so is used for that purpose. I need to lose 20 pounds in two months or so. Necesito perder 20 libras en dos meses mà ¡s o menos.Im going to buy myself an aquarium holding 100 liters or so. Me voy a comprar un acuario de 100 litros aproximadamente.They stole about 20,000 pesos from her. Le robaron alrededor de 20 mil pesos. Translating So When It Indicates Causation A common use of so is to indicate why something is done. Various phrases of causation or purpose can be used. Often, such sentences cant be translated word for word — whats important is to get the proper connection between the different elements of the sentence. I will give you one so you dont forget me. Te darà © uno para que no me olvides.I was afraid, so I left. Me fui por miedo.I am innocent, so I am not going to go into hiding.  No me esconderà © porque soy inocente.Evil exists so we can appreciate what is good. El mal existe para que podamos apreciar lo que es bueno.There was violence, so many children were evacuated from the city. Muchos nià ±os fueron evacuados ciudad por causa de la violencia.  You can edit your digital photo so it seems like a painting. Podrà ¡s editar tu foto digital de modo que parezca una pintura. Translating So as a Transition or Filler Often, so can be left out of sentences without much of a change in meaning. In such cases, you can simply leave it out of the translation, or you can use a filler word such as pues or bueno if leaving out a word such as that would seem too abrupt. So, where are we going? Pues  ¿adà ³nde vamos?So now comes the best time of the year. Pues ahora llega la mejor à ©poca del aà ±o.So lets begin. Bueno, vamos a empezar.So what do you know?  ¿Quà © sabes? Translating So Meaning Also Usually, tambià ©n will work fine when translating so carrying meanings such as also or in addition: Youre from Texas? So am I!  ¿Eres de Tejas?  ¡Tambià ©n yo!I slept and so did they. Yo dormà ­ y tambià ©n ellos. Translating So in Set Phrases When so is used in various phrases or idioms, you can often translate the phrases as a whole for meaning, as in the following examples: The book has recipes for shakes of fruits such as apples, oranges, strawberries, kiwis and so on. El libro tiene recetas de batidos de frutas como las manzanas, naranjas, fresas, kiwis, etcà ©tera.Hes not a citizen. So what? No es ciudadano.  ¿Y quà ©?Every so often I imagine a good future. De cuando en cuando imagino un buen futuro.These are treated just so. Estos son tratados con sumo cuidado.I am going to buy raspberries, applies, blackberries, peras, strawberries, and so on. Voy a comprar frambuesas, manzanas, moras, peras, fresas, etcà ©tera.

Michael Phelps Free Essays

Michael Phelps was born in 6.30,1985 in Baltimore of the US. Unfortunatly, he got a very terrible and unhappy time in his childhood. We will write a custom essay sample on Michael Phelps or any similar topic only for you Order Now His parents always quarreled and quarreled. Little Michael felt so sad,so he put himself into the swimming pool. It seemed to be the only way for him to keep happy. When he was 15 ,Michael competed at the Sydeny Olympics. But the reault seemed a little disappointed. He didn’t win a medal. But he never gave up. After that,he swam every day,no Christmas,no New Year,even no brithdays. A famous saying goes†Where there is a will,there is a way. After 4 years training,he did a nice job in the Athens Olyimpics. He got 8 medals. And 6 of them are gold medals. Now he is one of the greatest swimmers in the world. I still remembered what he said after the Athens Olyimpics. He said â€Å"I don’t want to be Mark Spitz No. 2 ,I just want to be Michael Phelps No. 1. â€Å"Now he realized his dream. He won 8 gold medals in the Beijing Olyimpics. He broke the world records,he made the history. Of course he made him famous to the whole world. Stephen Hawking has ever said†Life is not fair,so you have to do the best in your own situation. â€Å"Michael sets a very good example to us. Or the dream factory has always been the high standard, the screen exquisite detail, vivid characters vivid, touching story twists and turns, the most important thing is it in the most simple and easy to understand that the way of a token, that is – there is no shortcut to the world and Cheats, the only winning Famen is believe in themselves. This film was absolutely amazing. I have spent hours re-watching various scenes and noticing all the perfection with which they are acted and directed. It’s not the violence or action sequences that make this movie so great (although they are well done†¦ ), but rather moments like where Mathilda knocks on Leon’s door. It would be so easy to just film the door opening, but instead we see light illuminating Natalie Portman’s face, symbolizing something angelic. And the moment has so much more meaning. How to cite Michael Phelps, Papers Michael Phelps Free Essays Michael Phelps Michael Phelps is a through and through true Olympian. He has amazing capabilities and has proven it many times. I would definitely call him a great athlete. We will write a custom essay sample on Michael Phelps or any similar topic only for you Order Now Michael Phelps stole the limelight through the best performances in Olympic history. In his early life Michael Phelps had already started his rise to the top. When Michael was born he had two sisters already in the sport of swimming which he entered very soon. â€Å"As a seven-year-old, he refused to put his face in the water. Not surprisingly, the first stroke he mastered would be the backstroke† (â€Å"JockBio† 1). He started training in the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under training of Coach Bob Bowman. Under this direction he entered the U. S. National B team in 1999. In his division he broke a record in the 200 meter butterfly, what is said to be his best stroke. â€Å"At Olympic tryouts he place 2nd and became the youngest swimmer to compete in Olympic history in 68 years† (â€Å"JockBio† 1) He was just 15 and was already competing with grown men and sometimes beating them. Michael Phelps was slow on land but fast in water. Very fast indeed. He competed in many tournaments and won wherever he went. In the 2004 he entered the Athens summer Olympics. He was trying for the illusive 7 gold medals in swimming, the record held by Mark Spitz but came up short with six gold and 2 bronze. Well he decided that wasn’t good enough so the next year he came back with a whopping 8 gold medals! â€Å"I think it’s probably one of the greatest things sport in general has ever seen,†(Crouse 1). â€Å"At Sunday’s start, the Person’s Republic of Michael would have ranked fourth in gold medals and been ahead of all but 14 countries in the medal count†(Crouse 1). Phelps dominated all the events he came swam in and brought home the greatest record known to swimming. Famous is an understatement for what Phelps became through the course of his swimming career. In every swim he competed in, he broke world records and astounded the crowds, judges, and even his competitors. â€Å"I just feel very privileged that I got to watch Michael Phelps win eight gold medals. That’s been the highlight of my Olympics† (Crouse 1). He just keeps going and doing what he came out to do. He swam to win and he did in every race he entered. â€Å"â€Å"Michael is doing what he’s doing,† she said, â€Å"and it kind of makes the rest of us look like if we don’t win a gold medal †¦ Hoff’s voice trailed off. †(Crouse 2). Even the other athletes felt they came up short or didn’t match up to the amazing feat he pulled off. He is a Phenomenon and a public character that is now one of the most influential people in the world for doing your best. It is safe to say that Michael Phelps is the best swimmer in Olympic his tory. He has proven it and will remain that way until another rises to greatness. He has taken the eyes of the world off of the rest of the Olympics and placed them on himself through his complete physical dominance a prowess. How to cite Michael Phelps, Essay examples

Lyric poem Essay Example For Students

Lyric poem Essay Autumn was written in the 19th Century by John Clark. It is a lyric poem with a rhyming scheme of a quatrain and a couplet and is a tribute to the month of Autumn intended to make us feel Autumn is the best month. It is in written in first person narrative which gives the poem a more personal feel as we are inside the consciousness of the poet. The title of the poem is straight to the point and tells us the poem is about Autumn. The first technique I can find is the personification of the wind in line one. It says the wind is a fitful gust, and the word fitful makes us imagine a healthy and strong, yet playful person, so it is comparing the wind to a healthy and strong, yet playful person. Also in this phrase there is the alliteration of the letter f. F is a very drawn out sounding letter which emphasizes the fitful nature of the wind. The next point of interest I can find is the way it says the wind takes the faded leaves from the glossy elm-tree. This implies that the wind is hard working, which is a contrast to the previous image we were given of it. This makes me think that the wind has both a playful and serious side, much like humans. Next it says the wind deposits the leaves with thousands of others down the lane. This reminds us of the summer, but also reminds us that it doesnt last and that it leaves Autumn to do all the clearing up. This makes us think that Autumn is a good season, while summer isnt. The next technique I can find is one the first line of stanza 2. The poet says he sees the shaking twig dance till the shut of eve. This is personification of the twig as a twig cannot dance. This again makes us feel that Autumn is a playful season. Then it says the sparrows chirp would make believe that spring was just now flirting by. This suggests a dreamlike quality, as if spring isnt a real month like autumn. Also in this quote is the phrase flirting by. This makes it seem as if Spring is just like a flirt, not really serious. This again makes us believe that spring isnt a serious month and that autumn is better. Next it says hat spring is going to lie in summers lap. This makes it seem as if Spring and Summer are both lazy months and arent hard working like Autumn. The next point of interest I can find is on the third stanza. It says the poet sees the cottage smoke curl upwards through the trees. This is a very good description and it allows you to visualise the scene. After this, I cannot find any literary techniques until the first line of the fourth stanza. That line contains the phrase The feather from the ravens breast. The raven is a symbol of death and decline and as such it tells us what to expect from the following stanza. I find it to be highly effective, though it is very subtle. Next it says the acorns fall from the tree. This again makes us feel that the end of autumn is coming, though the acorns make us believe that everything will be renewed. This hope is stopped on the next line though, as it says the grunting pigs eat the acorns. This closes the poem with a very effective sense of finality.  This poem is quite effective in conveying that autumn is a good month as it uses a good variety of literary techniques in most of the poems to get the point across. The lack of techniques in the third stanza does let it down somewhat though. Also, I found the ending to be very effective as it was a great contrast with the rest of the poem which contained so much life.

Herpes Essays - RTT, Purines, Herpes, , Term Papers

Herpes Herpes is the number 1 STD in the World. At least seven herpes viruses are in the world today. The most common viruses are Herpes Simplex 1 and 2. Other types are Epstein-Barr virus(EBV), Varicella Zoster Virus(VZV), which also causes Chicken Pox and Shingles, Cytomegalovirus(CMV), And Human Herpes Virus(HHV). Also, there are lots of herpes viruses for animals. Most of these are not infectious towards humans. Herpes is spreading at a rate of 1/2 million people a year. 1 in 6 adults have the virus. Herpes is spread only by direct contact. If you have herpes somewhere on your body, it won't show up anywhere else, unless you touch the active virus and then touch another part of the body or someone else's body. Herpes can also be carried in saliva. It can be transmitted from and open sore. Herpes can be spread during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone with the active virus. During childbirth, a mother can give it to her baby. The herpes virus is an icosahedral capsid surrounded by an envelope. It's diameter is approximately 100nm. This contains the dsDNA genome. This envelope will break open and release the negatively stained virions into the body causing herpes. Symptoms of the virus show up between 1-30 days after having sex. Sometimes people don't even have any symptoms. The symptoms are Flu-like feelings, itching or burning, painful blisters on the sex organs or mouth. These blisters will last 1-3 weeks. Even if the blisters do go away you will still have the herpes virus, there is no cure. The blisters may come back. Even though there is no cure for herpes there are some treatments. Some of forms of treatments are prescription drugs, herbal remedies, Cold sore treatments, nutritional changes, vitamins, psychotherapy, etc. There are other drugs that help to reduce the severity, frequency of occurrences, and the duration of herpes. These drugs are Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famciclovir. Acyclovir has been around now for about 13 years. Herpes is a very serious issue for many people. It is annoying, aggravating, and inconvenient. It is not a fun thing to be involved with and is very common. If you have herpes you are not alone there are many other people who have this virus, and anyone can receive it. So be careful and don't be caught with Herpes. Bibliography 1. http://members.aol.com/herpesite/index.html#info 2. http://www.utc.ac.za/depts/mmi/stannard/herpes.html 3. http://www.pps.co.uk/ihmf/ihmf0009.htm 4. STD Facts Brochure.

About the United States Congress - Overview

About the United States Congress - Overview The Congress of the United States was created by Article I, section 1, of the Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, providing that All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. The first Congress under the Constitution met on March 4, 1789, in the Federal Hall in New York City. The membership then consisted of 20 Senators and 59 Representatives. New York ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1788, but did not elect its Senators until July 15 and 16, 1789. North Carolina did not ratify the Constitution until November 21, 1789; Rhode Island ratified it on May 29, 1790. The Senate is composed of 100 Members, 2 from each State, who are elected to serve for a term of 6 years. Senators were originally chosen by the State legislatures. This procedure was changed by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1913, which made the election of Senators a function of the people. There are three classes of Senators, and a new class is elected every 2 years. The House of Representatives comprises 435 Representatives. The number representing each State is determined by population, but every state is entitled to at least one Representative. Members are elected by the people for 2-year terms, all terms running for the same period. Both the Senators and the Representatives must be residents of the State from which they are chosen. In addition, a Senator must be at least 30 years of age and must have been a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years; a Representative must be at least 25 years of age and must have been a citizen for at least 7 years. [Â  How Much Do Members of Congress Really Make? ] A Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico (elected for a 4-year term) and Delegates from American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands complete the composition of the Congress of the United States. Delegates are elected for a term of 2 years. The Resident Commissioner and Delegates may take part in the floor discussions but have no vote in the full House or in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union. They do, however, vote in the committees to which they are assigned. Officers of CongressThe Vice President of the United States is the Presiding Officer of the Senate; in his absence the duties are taken over by a President pro tempore, elected by that body, or someone designated by him. The Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House, is elected by the House; he may designate any Member of the House to act in his absence. The positions of Senate majority and minority leader have been in existence only since the early years of the 20th century. Leaders are elected at the beginning of each new Congress by a majority vote of the Senators in their political party. In cooperation with their party organizations, leaders are responsible for the design and achievement of a legislative program. This involves managing the flow of legislation, expediting noncontroversial measures, and keeping Members informed regarding proposed action on pending business. Each leader serves as an ex officio member of his partys policymaking and organizational bodies and is aided by an assistant floor leader (whip) and a party secretary. [Â  How to Write Effective Letters to Congress ] The House leadership is structured essentially the same as the Senate, with the Members in the political parties responsible for the election of their respective leader and whips. The Secretary of the Senate, elected by vote of the Senate, performs the duties of the Presiding Officer of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President and pending the election of a President pro tempore. The Secretary is the custodian of the seal of the Senate, draws requisitions on the Secretary of the Treasury for moneys appropriated for the compensation of Senators, officers, and employees, and for the contingent expenses of the Senate, and is empowered to administer oaths to any officer of the Senate and to any witness produced before it. The Secretarys executive duties include certification of extracts from the Journal of the Senate; the attestation of bills and joint, concurrent, and Senate resolutions; in impeachment trials, issuance, under the authority of the Presiding Officer, of all orders, mandates, writs, and precepts authorized by the Senate; and certification to the President of the United States of the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification of treaties and the names of persons confirmed or rejected upon the nomination of the President. The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate is elected by and serves as the Executive Officer of that body. He directs and supervises the various departments and facilities under his jurisdiction. He is also the Law Enforcement and Protocol Officer. As Law Enforcement Officer, he has statutory power to make arrests; to locate absentee Senators for a quorum; to enforce Senate rules and regulations as they pertain to the Senate Chamber, the Senate wing of the Capitol, and the Senate Office Buildings. He serves as a member of the Capitol Police Board and as its chairman each odd year; and, subject to the Presiding Officer, maintains order in the Senate Chamber. As Protocol Officer, he is responsible for many aspects of ceremonial functions, including the inauguration of the President of the United States; arranging funerals of Senators who die in office; escorting the President when he addresses a Joint Session of Congress or attends any function in the Senate; and escorting heads of state when they visit the Senate. The elected officers of the House of Representatives include the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Chaplain. The Clerk is custodian of the seal of the House and administers the primary legislative activities of the House. These duties include: accepting the credentials of the Members-elect and calling the Members to order at the commencement of the first session of each Congress; keeping the Journal; taking all votes and certifying the passage of bills; and processing all legislation. Through various departments, the Clerk is also responsible for floor and committee reporting services; legislative information and reference services; the administration of House reports pursuant to House rules and certain legislation including the Ethics in Government Act and the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995; the distribution of House documents; and administration of the House Page Program. The Clerk is also charged with supervision of the offices vacated by Members due to death, resignation, or expulsion. Clerk of the HouseThe Sergeant at Arms maintains the order of the House under the direction of the Speaker and is the keeper of the Mace. As a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms is the chief law enforcement officer for the House and serves as Board Chairman each even year. The ceremonial and protocol duties parallel those of the Senate Sergeant at Arms and include arranging the inauguration of the President of the United States, Joint Sessions of Congress, visits to the House of heads of state, and funerals of Members of Congress. The Sergeant at Arms enforces the rules relating to the privileges of the Hall of the House, including admission to the galleries, oversees garage and parking security of the House, and distributes all House staff identification cards. Congressional CommitteesThe work of preparing and considering legislation is done largely by committees of both Houses of Congress. There are 16 standing committees in the Senate and 19 in the House of Representatives. The standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives can be viewed from the links below. In addition, there are select committees in each House (one in the House of Representatives), and various congressional commissions and joint committees composed of Members of both Houses. Each House may also appoint special investigating committees. The membership of the standing committees of each House is chosen by a vote of the entire body; members of other committees are appointed under the provisions of the measure establishing them. Each bill and resolution is usually referred to the appropriate committee, which may report a bill out in its original form, favorably or unfavorably, recommend amendments, report original measures, or allow the proposed legisla tion to die in committee without action.