The Relationship between Teacher Quality and Students Results Research Paper

The Relationship between Teacher Quality and Students Results - Research Paper Example This essay stresses that students’ reliance on the teacher’s abilities and knowledge is yet another factor which explains the importance of teacher’s contribution in the success of the students. Some argue that student’s success is dependent greatly on the teacher’s capabilities and skills. On the other hand, the counter claim emphasizes more on factors like curriculums, practical application of learnt concepts and group working as the success factors in upholding the student learning and results. However, much research provides that teacher quality can change the results seen in students, their performance and learning abilities. This paper makes a conclusion that a good and capable teacher being assigned to students for consecutive years bring more advantage to the student’s learning pace. The difference between the results after being assigned to three different teachers in 3 consecutive years produce result which is 54 percentile lower than those who study from one good teacher for 3 consecutive years. There has been a considerable amount of literature available which concludes that school input is less likely to make a difference in the learning process and pace of students. However, the recent researches suggest the contrary by concluding that school play a vital role in providing an input to the students which may positively impact the students’ learning and development. Studies specify the contribution of teachers to be a factor which, for the most part, is responsible for positive student responses in terms of learning and results. ... Wright et al. (1997), for instance, suggests that effective teaching works as a strong working force to support student learning than the class size, social statuses and any other factor involving students and the learning environment. They found that teachers who were ineffective could not higher the achievements of the students. The teachers act as mentors of the students and help them to get higher grades in their studies. In these instances many raise the question as to how one can classify the teacher to be effective or ineffective in nature. Research has been carried out to find out different variables that revolve around the teachers. It has been found that the variable of knowledge in the teacher has something to do with his effectiveness. But many argue that subject matter knowledge is not the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of the teacher. Experience is another variable that is supposedly very important in analyzing the effectiveness of the teacher. E xperience and certification of the teacher is believed to help the teacher in delivering to the students. Delivery in the right way is required by the students to achieve higher grades (Hawk et al 1985). People who argue against the subject matter knowledge of the teacher put forward the fact that it can divert the teacher from delivering more than what is needed by the students. This can prove to be detrimental for the students as they would not be able to grasp all the things that the teacher would be teaching. However these teachers can provide excellent knowledge to the students if asked about any particular topic in it because of the qualifications that they have achieved. A research conducted by Monks (1994) found that the achievement of the teacher is directly related

Religion and Science in the Parable of the Unjust Steward :: Christianity Religious Scientific Essays

ABSTRACT: The Parable of the Unjust Steward should be interpreted allegorically, its literal interpretation shown to be impossible. Certain facts make this parable unique: a lord as the Lord; divine possessions; the symbolism of the house interpreted as a human being; the material principles of the world understood as the governor of a human being; the Lord’s debtors as spiritual teachers of various kinds; theological doctrines with their own theogonic and cosmogonic views, all claiming to know the truth in its wholeness. Their debts consist of their misunderstandings and errors which have caused the difference between them and truth. Examples of the part of the material principles of the world in correcting theological doctrines are adduced. Two different kinds of debt are considered. I conclude that ‘make to yourselves friends of the riches of unrighteousness’ means that the material reasons of the world, the wisdom of this age, must be used for the good of spir itual teachings. The subject I am going to approach may at first glance seem not to belong at all to the subject of the current session. However we shall see that the subsequent material has the most immediate connection to the theme of philosophy of religion. The question is of the Parable of the Unjust Steward. Before I begin the interpretation itself, let me remark that this parable is a text unique with respect to its isolation from the rest of the texts of the Bible. For in all of Scripture there is not even the slightest reference to this parable. And the Parable of the Unjust Steward has remained in the darkness of misunderstanding not only after the first glance, but even after the thousandth one. No exegete has ever been able to give an interpretation which is free of internal and other contradictions. This fact also makes this parable unique. So much for the rule declaring that closer an interpreter to the time of Scripture better is his chance to penetrate into the mystery of it, which lies at the base of the habit of magnifying the opinions of the Church Fathers. It will not be out of place here to recall the words of Maimonides: "a story which is repugnant to both reason and common sense ... contains a profound allegory ... and the greater absurdity of the letter, the deeper the wisdom of the spirit." We have just such a case.

Locality Planning – The Key Elements

A locality plan is a fundamental and dynamic management tool which will state a list of targets to be met within a given locality. It will be based on local needs analysis and will be used to prioritise resource allocation whilst at the same time encouraging involvement and enhancing accountability. There are many factors which will determine how such a plan might develop, some of which are the consultation processes, inter-agency and inter-service co-operation, availability of resources, service quality, monitoring and feedback procedures as well as meeting the corporate aims, values and policies of Fife Council. Consultation will need to be participative and all who may be affected by the plan would need to be actively encouraged to participate. This would involve amongst others, local community groups, elected members, voluntary organisations, residents, businesses, council services and officials. This consultation ‘phase† would have to examine what other plans, initiatives, programmes and policies may be in place and any resultant impact on existing service provision and resources. Inter-agency and intra-agency co-operation is essential if information is to be collated and processed in any meaningful fashion and to ensure that any plan once in place will be properly supported. Barriers to co-operation need to be removed through consultation, participation, negotiation, and improved communication channels. Resource provision has to be assessed along with any plan. Existing resources, whether personnel, equipment or financial can only cater for so many needs. The targeting of these resources would need to be negotiated and agreed by all parties involved as part of the process of encouraging ownership of and participation in a locality plan. To provide a plan which meets local needs and has the necessary resources is pointless if the quality of implementation does not meet the expectations of the community. Recognition therefore of the service delivery processes are vital. Personnel need to be properly trained, highly motivated and committed to the aims of the plan. Equipment needs to be suitable for its intended purpose and utilised as effectively as possible. Monitoring and feedback are an essential part of the process if the locality plan is to remain dynamic. Monitoring allows the progress of the plan to be measured and any fine tuning can be implemented where needed. Monitoring assesses and measures the success of any plan whilst feedback allows information to be fed to, and received from, those involved at all stages of the plan from strategic policy development, to the officers implementing the plan, to the people, groups and communities receiving the benefits. The aims, policies and corporate values of Fife Council should underpin any plan. Plans should encourage openness and accountability, improve participation and involvement, provide quality and equality, promote devolved decision making and enhance learning and development.

Arboriculture - Tree Care and Maintenance