Education in Britain 1979 to Present Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Education in Britain 1979 to Present - Essay Example The period from 1979-1997 can be referred as neo-liberalism era as it was characterised by marketisation especially of public services. According to Gillard (2011) it was also a period of social and economic restructuring whereby Thatcher applied her unpopular aggressive policies earning her the title of ‘iron lady’. Prior to conservative government taking over office tremendous changes had been made in the education sector especially resulting from the 1944 Education Act. This Act saw the introduction of free and compulsory education to pupils aged 5-16 and also the famous selection tests known as 11+ (Jones, 2003: 25). The schools were put on Local Education Authorities who were involved in funding and management of schools. Parents, in this case, did not have much choice as to what schools their pupils should attend. Although the Act was aimed at creating equal opportunities for students’ social class differences were still apparent as students from the middle class attended good schools while those from poor backgrounds ended up in technical schools. It was a three tier system comprising of grammar schools, technical school, and secondary modern. Exclusion thus persisted. While in office, the secretary for education James Callaghan had instituted a youth opportunity program for 16-18-year-olds in 1978 after a great debate on the nature and purpose of education. When Thatcher came into office she did not abolish the system but rather expanded it in 1980 and renamed in 1983 to be the Youth Training Scheme. However, the debate in her time was one sided ads she did nit involve other actors such as parents, teachers and governors. In 1980 she also started the Assisted Places Scheme to help those poor students who passed entrance exams to get free places (Chitty, 2004: 45; Gillard, 2011). The first agenda for Thatcher concerning education was to do away with the 11 plus selection exam but her efforts were thwarted since comprehensive schooling still enjoyed great popularity (Richmond, 2007). The curriculum in place is determined by the government of the day hence prone to a lot of changes. The selection exam was

ECMT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

ECMT - Assignment Example From table 1 we find that the computed t-statistic is 0.275, and the p-value is 0.78. Recall that the critical t-value at the 5% level is 1.96. Therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis. Thus, we fail to reject that the coefficient of D2 is statistically significantly not different from zero. Yes, there is evidence to support that inclusion of central air conditioning leads to higher prices. This is evident from the fact that the estimated coefficient on the variable â€Å"central air† is positive and significant. The dummy variables for coastal proximity are D1 and D2. If the coefficients of these turn out to be significantly different from zero, we can conclude that coastal proximity does indeed lead to differences in prices. We have already tested for significance of the coefficient on D2 in part (e). Using the same methodology of a t-test of = 0 against the alternative of 0, we find that the calculated t-value is 1.714 which is significant only at the 10% level but not at the 5% level (p-value = 0.09). Thus we conclude the coefficient is statistically insignificant as well at the 5% level. Thus, since neither coefficient turns out to be significant, we conclude that we do not have any evidence to suggest that proximity to coast makes any differences to the prices with 95% or higher

Labor unions. Workers, Industrialization and Happiness Essay

Labor unions. Workers, Industrialization and Happiness - Essay Example Reaction from family The movie brings out the aspect of the different family members' reaction to one’s involvement in union activities. After hearing Reuben’s speech Norma starts participating in union formation activities. This invokes negative reactions in her husband who feels Norma is not spending enough time with her family (Canby). In a way, this shows that he has some resistance to the idea of her involvement in the movement. However, his opinion changes with time with Sonny, Norma’s husband, telling her that he loves her and supports all decisions. Her father is also opposed to the idea of the movement seeking to form a union among the workers of the mill. This is because of he is a stockholder which makes him wary of the union. Her mother who works in the mill is also apathetic which is not expected of her (Canby). This shows the lack of support from family members and relatives when advocating for the formation of unions and improvement of working cond itions, which discourages the formation of the movements. Winning the battle The aspect of finally winning the struggle in the form of union formation and better working conditions is also brought out. The struggle for labor rights is usually an uphill task that is not for the faint hearted (Canby). A large number of challenges pose the threat of derailing the process. However, with deep emotional strengths that inspire courage and a complex network of feelings for the workers being ill-treated the activists almost always succeed in their endeavors to see improved rights in the labor sector of industries maintained by unions. This is the case in the movie where Norma ends up with a post in the cotton mill union. II. Workers, Industrialization and Happiness Researchers have made a... Labor unions. Workers, Industrialization and Happiness The American labor sector of today contrasts greatly with the labor sector of the early industrial days. The movements drew clear lines between the management of the industries and the labor aspects that based on the issues between the two. This was aimed to advocate for the improvement of their working conditions. It is sentiments like these that the screenwriters and the director of the movie â€Å"Norma Rae† shared and sought to evoke among the audience. The movie highlights the processes and trials experienced in the starting of a workers union (Canby). It shows that although the start of worker unions is marred by challenges, their successful formations eventually result in improved labor conditions. Challenges to labor union formations Victimization The employers victimize the founding figures of trade unions when they start advocating for the rights of the workers. The movie gives a clear illustration of this aspect that is replicated in nearly all scenarios involving t he establishment of labor unions. After hearing a speech from Rueben Warshowsky, Norma decides to unionize her workmates. This does not augur well with the managers of the cotton mill, who confront her (Canby). Researchers have made a distinction on the definition of happiness as a short-term state of lighting up of the mind depending on the temperament of a person and the external factors associated with the person.

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 24

Globalization - Essay Example Depending on the merits and merits of globalization to various states, proper measures are instituted accordingly. Various factors will continue to encourage globalization. On the first note, improved technology will continue to serve as the primal driver of globalization. Technology advents such as the internet and mobile phones have played a major role in bringing globalization to its current state. Technology will continue to spread across the world since it is the main force behind significant integrations. Improved technology translates to better communication and information sharing (Ashford & Hall, 2011). Secondly, the world is undergoing a period of increased free trade. Free trade will continue to be an important factor of globalization since it has earned the support of World Trade Organization (WTO), which encourages global trading. Thirdly, stepped-up mobility of labor from one country to another will promote globalization. Developing countries have come to realize the big role that remittances of global trade plays in their economies. Fourthly, meliorated mobility of capital in the past few decades will stretch into the future to step-up the pace of globalization. Capital barriers have been trivialized, making it possible for capital to flow to and from various economies. In effect, firms are able to acquire financing, a trend that will continue to the future. Fifthly, a drop in the cost of transportation is not expected to deteriorate in the future. The advent of containerization means that the distribution of products, across the world, is cheaper. Consumers in all parts of the world will continue to access products, thanks to the reduced cost of transport (Zedillo, 2014). In unison, these factors will correct the pace of globalization that has been affected by the financial crisis in the world. All the same, there are factors that will hinder the prosperity of globalization. First, the increasing concern of environmental

1 page - Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

1 page - - Assignment Example (5% level of significance) A telephone sales company with 200 sales staff uses a five-level grading system for annual performance. End-of-year bonus payments for sales staff are determined on their individual performance grading. Staff rated Grade 1 receive only the minimum bonus payment while staff rated Grade 5 receive the highest bonus payment. The company has an expected distribution of performance grades which it uses to budget for bonus payments. However the company’s financial director is concerned that the actual distribution of performance grades differs significantly from the expected distribution with proportionally fewer sales staff getting the lower grades and proportionally more getting higher than expected grades. Based on the latest performance grades, is the financial director right to be concerned? Use a 5% significance level. , we thus reject the null hypothesis and conclude that the actual distribution of performance grade differs from the expected distribution at 5% significance level and as such the financial director is right to be concerned. A packaging device is set to fill detergent packets with a mean weight of 500g. It is important to check the machine periodically because overfilling increases the cost of materials whereas underfilling leaves the firm liable to prosecution. A random sample of 25 filled packets is weighed and shows a mean net weight of 510g with a standard deviation of 15g. What conclusion can be drawn at the 5% level of

Report Dance of Life Popular Culture and Music in the Modern World Essay

Report Dance of Life Popular Culture and Music in the Modern World - Essay Example In so far as music is the focus f this study, it is the contents f popular songs that structure the main arguments, specifically, the political motivations reflected in, and further generated by these songs as they are created, performed, and consumed in varying ways by different social agents. The first chapter is exemplary in its theoretical breadth, incorporating varying discursive modes from Frankfurt theorists, Birmingham School f Cultural Studies, ethnomusicology, media, and popular music' studies. Lockard drawls on different ethnographic examples to substantiate his discussion f the popular culture phenomenon in the contexts f modernity, post-imperialism, and technological mediation. He defines "popular music" as a musical phenomenon that is "disseminated largely by the mass media", and that functions as a social commodity, the production and distribution f which depends on "a clientele able and willing to purchase the commodity" (pp. 18-19). This chapter explores the current situation f popular music studies and examines the significance f such studies (or the lack f it). More importantly, it summarizes the prevailing academic trends in popular music and popular culture research, and serves as an excellent introduction to this field f cultural studies. Book's first chapter is a survey f a variety f philosophical approaches to popular music. Lockard views popular culture as an arena f contradiction and struggle, and potentially, f resistance; he rejects the Frankfurt School's view that it is too standardized and degraded to be f value. The first chapter alone has 212 notes. This density f documentation at times makes for choppy reading, especially in paragraphs that career through several disjointed subjects. Though Lockard has taken pains to discover all f the English-language academic studies f the region's music, he also relies on many journalistic accounts from newspapers, weekly news magazines, and consumer guides to world music. These sources are uneven in quality and often anecdotal in their coverage, and they lack detailed documentation. Further, the nature f the Western press is to seek subjects that are interesting (i.e., outlandish or confrontational) but have a glimmer f familiarity to their audience--topics like teenager rebellion or a third-world Dylan. Lockard provides a well-informed social context in each chapter, and illuminates the historical and contemporary political junctures that have characterized each country from approximately the 1940s to the present. With this rich contextual background, he then proceeds to trace the historical significance f various popular music forms, such as the Kroncong and Dangdut in Indonesia, Pinoy in the Philippines. He pays particular attention to the emergence f the mass media and state control f the media in each country, and also explores various political movements in which musicians played decisive roles. In the process, Lockard examines the social complex created by the intersection f popular music, dictatorship, regionalism, nationalism, religion, mass mediation, and cultural imperialism. Lockard's narrative analyses popular music in local and transnational contexts,

International Human Resource Management Term Paper

International Human Resource Management - Term Paper Example HR has come a long way from its traditional role of personnel management to being considered the strategic partner of the organization. Today HR plays a proactive role in taking the initiatives and concentrating on the deliverables. HR is involved not only in the implementation of strategy but also in strategy formulation. HR is now considered one of the sources of competitive advantage for the company. Although the role and importance of HR is not debatable any more but in practice its role varies not only from company to company but also from country to country. This paper will discuss international human resource management and its various approaches with special reference to Spain. The aim of this paper is to study the institutional context that shapes and influences HRM in Spain. Different laws related to HRM, education and training system, employer organizations, trade union organization, collective bargaining structures, company governance arrangements and its impacts on HRM w ill be discussed here. A case study of a Spanish organization will also be discussed to study various practices and activities of HR. Historical Background of HRM in Spain Although human capital has always been important but recently the importance of human capital with comparison to capital, raw material, land and even technology has increased a lot. It is believed now that in this global world the key to success is having a better human capital than your competitors. It is difficult to obtain and control positive contributions from the employees hence efforts are made to make an environment that ensures voluntary flow of such employee behavior. The concept of Human resource management (HRM) has followed the same path which international HRM has followed moving from personnel management to strategic HRM. The development of HRM in Spain can be better understood if the developments are studied in the chronological order. The history of Spanish HRM can be divided into five periods. HR M during the Franco regime, (1950-9) marked by clerk autarchy The economic crises and political transition, Human Relations (1960-76) Development planning From the economic crises to economic recovery, labor relations (1977-85) conflicts and agreements HRM in today’s Spain In the period of clerk autarchy the main focus was on bureaucracy. HR was restricted to the daily management of data and ensuring working according to the pre-established rules and regulations. It was the era of personnel management. The purpose of the personnel management was to make employee’s comply with the rules and regulations of the business. Spain has seen different labor conditions during its development. The first form was the personnel management where foreman was assigned the role of personnel manager but in a very restricted form. The second phase was of the economic crises and political transition. It is marked by human resource development planning. In this phase the shift was towards technocracy. The qualified employees were given importance through various incentives for enhancing performance, training and development programs, appropriate selection process accompanied by adequate salary scales classified according to the service. Here the personnel management role of HR was to ensure that employees adapt according