Crestwood School – Education and Science

Various research studies have indicated the psycho-social problems of the students, teachers, planners and managers working in the public and private sector of education in Pakistan. These problems can be studied under in three domains i.e. home-centered problems, community-centered problems and school-centered problems.

Although, the Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his message delivered in the first Education Conference 1947, categorically stressed on taking practical steps in reshaping the whole education system of the country, yet the situation regarding the education sector of Pakistan has been very uncertain and critical till yet. The commissions and policies till the recent years have beautifully worked out various strategies and plans for enhancing and changing the curriculum, giving quality education, preparing standard textbooks, resolving the problem of medium of instruction, streamlining the planning and management of the institutions, but due to the policies and reforms without implementation, the mismatch in public and private systems, the teaching of languages only and the polarization and existence of pressure groups have weakened not only the whole education system of Pakistan but the other institutions and organizations also.

Moreover, it is a fact that the attitudes of teacher, the response of student and the behavior of manager do have a crucial role in making the personality of the individuals and social progress, but in addition to this some physical problems that still exist here are the overcrowded classrooms, inadequate teaching materials, poor staffing, absence of equipped libraries and laboratories, and lack of physical facilities like playgrounds, drinking water, washrooms, recreational, common, medical and retiring rooms and furniture etc. This alarming situation has caused an awkward backwardness of the education system in the country.

Furthermore, besides the system problems as observed, it is obvious that the teachers’ problems of insecurity, accommodation, remuneration, political exploitation life threats and deprivation prevent a teacher to play the role of an implementer, prompter, director, guide, counselor, manager, organizer and instructor inside the school and also halt him/her to work outside in the society as a good social.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of professional growth and leadership, teacher in Pakistan evidently faces a hurdle in the way toward lifelong and quality education. Most of the teachers are virtually literate and have regressive trends. However, the one room affair, the schools without boundary walls and the negligible participation of community also deteriorate the smooth process of education in Pakistan.

The broken homes, the social status of parents, poverty, orphanage, divorced families, crowded homes, sibling rivalry problem, family educational background, inferiority complexes, harsh discipline and child labour are also persistently showing their virulent fangs to tear down the learners in our country.

Teachers’ Status in the Educational institutions of Pakistan:

Teacher is considered the most central source in putting all the educational reforms into practice at all levels. In Pakistan teachers’ access to their democratic rights seems to be denied or not practiced properly according to the Policy Document of Pakistan which guarantees the realization of their democratic rights . The alarming aspects of their concerns are how to think up a plan of action that may facilitate them to have proper access to their democratic rights inside their institutions and in society as well.

Teaching is a very decent profession and a holy job. It uplifts and brings up the individuals as a responsible nation. The society has a lot of hopes from the teachers whom with the young generations have direct contact. Every nation desires excellent and fine production from schools and colleges. The learners imitate, identify and follow their teachers as model. The important part of our society is the educators who play revolutionary roles in the making of a nation. Their duty is plausible as they educate a child, the father of man, and a useful citizen of future.

Responsibilities and rights go together. Above and beyond performing a noble duty, the teachers have certain rights too. They have the right to live a respectably happy life in all aspects i.e. personal, social, cultural, religious, economic, and democratic aspirations, relations, affiliation and beliefs and practices in a proper manner. Teaching is a less attractive job in Pakistan, because the teachers face financial and economic hardships and they have to live within their limited resources. There is lack of the needed support from government and community is to facilitate them with respectable and happy life.

Due to the undemocratic administration here in Pakistan, a teacher faces problems of unreasonable and inappropriate work load. It halts to improve the quality of education and also makes the field unattractive to the new comers.

Educating children for quality and lifelong learning is very essential for the development of active citizenship, indispensable for their active part in a democratic society; and vital to promoting democratic culture. The role of teachers in promoting democracy learning through active and participatory approaches is essential. The Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (1997) suggested inclusion of the courses of human rights in all school curricula. In its further recommendation (2002), it was stressed upon that the initial training of teachers in education for democratic citizenship is mandatory for which various steps like lifting up the level of professionalism of teachers and introducing new measures important today are to be taken.

The challenges like cultural deviation and nationalism, worldwide threats to security, expansion of new technologies of information and ecological harms do demand the new caliber from a teacher. In addition to them are the problems of the population movements, emergence of the once repressed people and the increasing demand for individual independence and new forms of equality. Further more, the weakening of social makeup and unity among people , doubts about conservative political institutions, types of governance and political leaders, increasing political, economic and cultural interconnectedness and interdependence are persistently intensifying the increasing pressure on educators and teachers to prepare and pace with the new century..

The curses of globalization, internet hazards, radioactivity of the nuclear developments, greed for power over the weaker nations, immoral and unethical attitudes of the world powers, the genetic decoding, the tussles of civilizations and cultures also require teachers to be well-equipped. The prevailing social and moral evils demand the new roles of teachers. So, for their innovative roles and effective performance, the realization and recognition of teachers’ democratic rights is very necessary. It is the need of the day to acknowledge and realize their democratic rights and assure their accessibility.

The rapidly changing world increases the need for an active, informed and responsible community which resultantly demands commonly accepted aim of education and role of teachers. In other words, the responsibility of teacher as a universal leader is greater. A teacher must be prepared for promoting forms of education and training at a time of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence at regional and international level.

Dürr and Martins (2000) suggest that the new form of education is to prepare the learners for actual involvement in society. To provide such teaching presents important challenges for the teaching profession. A teacher is meant to learn the new forms of knowledge, develop new teaching methods, find new ways of working and create new forms of professional relationships. Teaching should be enhanced with current affairs, critical thinking and skill teaching. .

Researches on the problem indicate clearly that problem in the realization of and access to the democratic rights of teachers in Pakistan still exists though the Constitution and Civil Laws of Pakistan contain their recognition and provision. In some cases the private educational managers in particular and public managers in general have been violating the democratic rights of teachers. Researches show that the situation in private and female teachers is alarmingly worse. It is because of the lack of their significant leading role and struggle for the realization of their rights.

The cause of this disparity is not only the community or government or educational managers but the teachers themselves so as they are not effectively performing their job and do not struggle for their rights. Consequently, this deprivation has disturbed the personality, competence and family and social life of teachers in Pakistan

Most of the teachers do have the caliber of management and leadership, like university teachers, but lack to actively participate in the struggles for the realization their democratic rights.

Every state in the nation requires registered nurses to periodically take classes in order to maintain their licensed status. This is actually a good requirement, and ensures that nurses get up-to-date information on the latest trends and practices in the health care field. But RN continuing education courses can be very difficult to fit into an already full schedule, which is why many men and women are now choosing to fulfill their state-mandated requirements via online classes.

There are a number of websites that currently provide RN continuing education courses in convenient online formats. Their delivery methods range from interactive web-based classes to audio podcasts and video conferences. You can even choose to get printed course materials delivered to your home or attend live classes in person at a local community college. There are so many choices that you’re bound to find RN continuing education courses that fit your personal lifestyle.

Deciding between one delivery method and another or between one educational institution and another really just comes down to a matter of personal preference. Obviously, you’ll want to make sure that the place offering RN continuing education courses is fully accredited and recognized by your state’s licensing board, but beyond that, most nurses base their choices on convenience, affordability, and the kinds of classes offered.

Prior to making your decision, it would be a good idea to find out how you can establish proof of completing your RN continuing education courses. Some sites allow you to print off certificates of completion once you finish the final exam. Other schools prefer to send you a transcript or other official paperwork that you can either keep for your own personal files or submit to the state licensing board. The actual method doesn’t matter so much in the end. As long as you can show some kind of proof that you satisfied your RN continuing education requirements, you’ll be fine.

For a successful experience in RN continuing education classes, you should go in with the right attitude. If you merely look at this as a hassle that you have to go through every so often, then you’ll probably have a bad time of it. But if you instead approach this as an opportunity to learn new, useful skills that will help you be a better nurse to your patients, then chances are you’ll put forth a greater effort and will enjoy yourself a whole lot more.

If you’re looking for a convenient, affordable way to satisfy the RN continuing education requirements and maintain your license, then check out the online courses that are widely available today. You’ll be able to work on your CEUs in your free time and not have to worry about fighting traffic as your commute to campus. Stop procrastinating and go register right now!

As in any medical field, the field of mental health requires its professionals to pursue further training once they have their basic degree. These professionals must attend seminars, take classes, and pursue advanced degrees in order to maintain a competitive edge and keep their certifications in many states. If you find yourself looking for something new to learn about as you pursue your necessary mental health continuing education, consider some of these hot topics.

Depression in Children

Depression in children is currently on the rise all around the world. While it is still relatively rare in children under the age of 12, it can happen. You need to know how to identify and treat this dangerous condition, even in your youngest patients. Do you know the basic signs of depression in children? These may be different than the signs of the disease in adults. If you are not aware of the signs to look for, it may be time to pursue mental health continuing education on the topic.

Couples Therapy

As more and more marriages are hurting because of the stresses of modern life, you may find that your clinic is filled with people seeking couples therapy. Remember, a healthy marriage is vital to a healthy state of mind. It is crucial that you find ways to help these patients that will work in the busy modern society that we live in. consider taking a few courses to help you relate to struggling couples.

Brain Science

Today’s field is much more complex than it ever was. Are you providing your patients with the latest scientific advances in the field of psychotherapy? Are there medications out there that you are not aware of or using properly? There are two ways to ensure that you are up to date on the latest advances in these fields. The first is to subscribe to and read periodicals in your field. The second is to sign up for conferences and online seminars on this topic. Remember, your patients are relying on you to provide them with the safest, most up-to-date treatments, and your mental health continuing education gives you the ability to give them what they expect and need from you.

Recovery from Trauma

In the violent world we live in, you will likely see more and more patients with traumas in their past that they need help recovering from. You are likely quite skilled already in treating these individuals. You need to make sure you have the best possible skills, though, to facilitate healing of the mind for those you treat who have significant traumas in their past history. Again, furthering your training ensures your skills stay sharp.

Remember, no matter where you are in your career, your main goal is to provide quality treatments to your patients to help them heal from whatever is plaguing them. No matter how good you are at what you do, you can always learn something new. Mental health continuing education provides you with the opportunity to learn about the latest advances in the field and provide your patients with the best possible care.

Getting a CPA license is difficult enough for many people. However, when it comes to making the most of that license and creating a better life for yourself, you will need to get certain CPA CPE requirements met, depending on what your state requires. Many states have simply adopted the standards of the AICPA (American Institute for Certified Public Accountants), allowing there to be some standardization for CPA licensure and renewal around the world. Since the job changes constantly, CPAs must keep up to date on their education at all times. There is never a bad time to learn new things when you are in a career like this one.

There are so many different topics that CPAs have to know about in order to do their jobs, including things like taxation, finance, business, auditing, and planning rules that have to be followed. While it can be quite the effort to keep up with this education, it will definitely serve you well in your career. When it comes to getting CPA CPE courses completed, every state has different requirements and you will have to determine what your state views as necessary in order to get the right CPE classes every single time. There are many different places that you can get these courses, so you don’t have to worry about trying to find them.

CPA CPE courses can be found online and through professional educational services, as well as from typical colleges and schools. You can find just about anything you need as long as you know where to look. Some of the places that offer continuing education are even non-profit businesses that strive to provide the tools for success to accountants. The license that you have is valid for a specific amount of time depending on your state’s regulations and guidelines, and you need to make sure that you know what that time period is so that you don’t wait until the last minute to get your CPA CPE courses taken.

Finding the right CPA CPE courses is all about finding what works for you. Of course, you are looking to meet state mandates as well, but it is far more important that you take the time to find the courses that meet the requirements that are right for you. Some people learn better online while others will benefit more from a traditional classroom setting. As long as you get the continuing education that you need in a format that works for you, you’ll be able to enjoy the success of your CPA career for many years to come.

The initial letter of interest as an adjunct professor is an important document when applying for available positions. It is even more important when it is being sent “cold” to schools for which you would like to teach. There are certain elements in this letter that should be adhered to when it is prepared.

In the first paragraph of the letter, you should let the reader know the letter’s intent. State that you are sending this letter as an application for an existing opening or that you are inquiring as to the availability of adjunct teaching. There will be less confusion if you would indicate your teaching preferences. Also, let them know if you prefer to teach on ground, online, or both.

A letter of interest as an adjunct professor should be relatively short, easily contained on one page with plenty of white space. In fact, the letter should be no longer than three paragraphs. Do not expect the reader to take up much time reading cover letters.

The second paragraph has two parts. The first part is to describe your teaching experience including: How many years that you have taught and at what level, what courses you have taught, if they were graduate or undergraduate courses, and any experience you have had with adult education or teaching diverse cultures. The second part should indicate the courses that are offered by the University that you have taught or can teach. This can be obtained from the school catalog.

The third paragraph should indicate anything special about you including teaching awards or honors you have received. You can also include anything of value that would indicate that you are an outstanding professor. If there is nothing worthy of including, then leave this paragraph out.

The last paragraph should indicate your education. This should include your undergraduate and graduate institutions and what your major was. If you received any special training or earned any certifications, this is the place to include them. Then you should courteously end the letter.

Your goal in a letter of interest as an adjunct professor is to make the recipient aware of your qualifications and to understand that you would be an asset to their institution, without taking much of their time. Then, if there are any openings or available teaching slots, you will now have a much better chance of landing the position.

When we think about grants, the first thing that comes to the first thing that comes to mind for many of us is education. This is not just due to the fact that there are a lot of grants available for education. It is due to the fact that this concept has been with us for quite some time now. It has given departments and students alike areas to venture into, areas that apart from the grant they would never have entered.

Types of Education Grants

There are many types of grants provided by the government, non-profit organisations as well as within the private sector. There are education grants available for children as well as for adults.

For example, there is the Toshiba America Foundation that provides grants that will help K-12 students in the areas of Mathematics and Science. On the other hand, there is also the Citi Group Foundation they provide grants for those who are pursuing a course (studies) in Financial Education.

There are also other areas of studies that they provide grants in.

Online Application

In the United States of America, the US Department of Education has provided e-Application (On-line) to assist in the application for grants. Therefore by using this avenue your application will be delivered to the correct department. Along with that it will reach the department a lot quicker.

By applying online you will also be given access to certain areas that normally you would have had to call or email about. By that I mean you will have access to your profile among other things along that same line. So seeking out organisations that provides grants for education online will be helpful to you in more case than one.

Other Organisations

The government, as I have alluded to before is not the only organisation that provides education grants. There are non-profit organisations as well as foundations that does this. The Annenbery Foundation as well as the Albertson is just a few such agencies.

Different Types

Education grants are made available to both individuals as well as to organisations. Therefore, when checking out education grants, it is a good idea to be certain about the type of grant and to whom the grant is being offered.

Use your Situation

Education grants are also offered to certain groups of people. For example, the African American Success Foundation speaks for itself. Therefore it goes without saying that those who are African American and are in need of an education grant in the areas that this foundation deals with, should be taking a look here. I will also add that paying close attention to the persons that a grant is been offered to will save you a lot of time and energy.

There are also education grants that are specifically for women. For example, the Altruse Foundation offers grants to women who are living in “third world countries”; and desire to study in one of the collages in the United States of America that the Foundation is satisfied with.

Teaching English in Malta is quite an industry nowadays, you will find many English language schools in this country, many of those being run by professionals. The best schools offer a lot of facilities to their students, like accommodation (very cheap or free, depending on the institution), recreation gardens, pool halls, school transportation. But the most important thing they offer are well balanced, interesting and effective English courses.

Here is a list of methods some schools apply when taking on the difficult task of teaching a student, keeping him interested and trying to motivate him along the way to want to improve himself/herself:

o Teachers (or trainers, how they are usually called) conduct the lessons only in English. The reason is they want the students to “start thinking in English” as soon as possible, because translating words in your head before speaking is a very time-consuming activity.

o The student is encouraged to talk a lot during lessons, and only in English. Learning a new language is like learning a new sport: if you don’t practice, you’ll never be good at any sporting activity.

o Teachers devalue the importance of reading and writing in English at the beginning, because they know that it’s more efficient to hear and speak a new language, rather than trying to read and write words that students don’t even know how to pronounce.

o Focusing on teaching structures rather than individual structures. Teachers try to make the students understand that words are put together, and they try to explain that, rather than giving them long lists of individual words to learn.

o Every student has a different level of English, and the trainers try to evaluate students before deciding what type of lessons they would teach.

o Keeping theoretical explanations to a minimum: teachers don’t try to input non-essential information into the students’ minds. If you want to learn to use a computer, it’s not necessary to know how the hard-drive spins and how the motherboard works.

o Encouraging students to be creative – this method needs no explanation as to why it’s efficient.

o Teaching how to use the language in practical situations – this keeps students interested.

Many English language schools have adopted these strategies, because they work very well. So if you want to learn English in Malta, don’t worry, the schools are well prepared and you will learn this language in no-time.

Remember high school gym class? You played volleyball, ran a mile on the track, and ducked before being hit in the face during a vigorous game of dodge ball? Physical education has been part of the educational scene for nearly 200 years. It is vital that students participate in physical education to keep their mind and body in peak learning condition. Currently, the childhood obesity rate is dangerously climbing to epidemic levels. Therefore, the focus on physical education is more important then ever before.

The question is how should physical education be conducted? First, take a look at physical education history. Physical education has evolved over the years. Physical education is defined as “instruction in the development and care of the body ranging from simple calisthenics exercises to a course of study providing training in hygiene, gymnastics, and the performance and management of athletic games (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).” This definition is broad because you can learn several topics ranging from the rules of basketball to sex education. It depends on the school policies of your state educational system.

Physical education was officially recognized in the United States in the early 1800′s. Colleges and Universities began to offer physical education programs throughout the 1800′s. Finally, in 1866 California was the first to mandate physical education. Many states followed this mandate within the next 30 years. The importance of training the body as well as the mind became prevalent in the educational system.

The 20th century brought varying levels of physical education to each state. Presidents such as Eisenhower and Kennedy promoted physical education and fitness. Children took the Presidential Fitness test each year to assess their physical fitness level. This arose from the need for U.S. students to be as physical fit as their European counterparts.

Controversial issues have played an integral role in physical education history. For example, in 1972 Title IX banned sexual discrimination in schools regarding sports and academics. This allowed female athletes to actively participate in team sports other than cheerleading with the financial and emotional support of the school system.

Another controversial issue is sexual education. It has been the subject of intense debate for many decades. Each state has specific guidelines about what will be taught and whether students can opt out of the sexual education program. Some states allow students to watch a video of a child being born while other states only discuss abstinence.

The official employment of physical education programs has a 200 year history which has become home to controversial issues, social reform, and overall child well being. Physical education will continue to evolve as the needs of the student population changes, societal attitudes fluctuate, and the flow of educational funds towards physical education is maintained.

Special Education, over the years, has grown and improved substantially. The history of it contains many admirable historical figures and events that have defined and impacted Special Education. I, however, picked 4 people and one event that I thought had a great impact on Special education. Without these people, special education would not be where it is today. I believe Jean Itard, Edouard Seguin, Helen Keller, Samuel Howe and the Brown Vs. Board of Education, were all important highlights in the history of Special Ed. Although they are not the only ones that should be commended for doing an outstanding job in improving the status of Special Ed, education would not progress as much without them.

Jean Itard is perhaps best defined as “the Father of Special Education” Although he was not aware that his work would have been defined as Special education, his work had a profound effect on future generations. Itard was educated to be a tradesman. However, during the French Revolution, he joined the army to become an assistant surgeon. After the war, he took upon a new and challenging project called Victor. Victor was a wild, animal- like boy that was found running around in the forest. In 1800 he was bought to Paris for observation. When Itard saw the wild, uncivilized boy, he assumed that he had been recently abandoned by his parents. Like a wild animal that does not like to be caged, Victor escaped a couple of times from a widow’s bedroom window. He was normally deficient, but Itard believed he could educate the boy through experience. During Itard’s time, it was a common belief that mentally disabled people were uneducable. The remarkable guru spent five years trying to “cure” him. After 5 years, Victor could read and speak a few words, and could also show affection towards his caretakers. Unfortunately, he never reached normality. Itard thought he had failed as a teacher, but his experience with Victor taught others that in order to achieve the smallest success, he had to accept Victor as a person. His work implemented the most important truth of all, and that was that education had to be in harmony with the dynamic nature of life. 

The next important historical figure was not a teacher, but a remarkable student. Helen Keller had an illness which left her blind and deaf. As a young child, she suffered through severe retardation. She made animal like sounds, ripped her clothes off, and was not toilet trained. It was apparent that she lacked civilized traits. Many years later, even she said “I was an animal.” Poor Helen had become a very difficult child. She terrorized the house hold, and often endangered the people in it. The Kellers were advised to visit an expert on deaf children. This was the well known Alexander Graham Bell. Bell suggested that the family seek an instructor from Perkins University.

On March 3rd, 1883, she met her teacher and caretaker, Miss Anne Sullivan. During the first meeting of theirs, Anne spelled out the word d-o-l-l on her arm. After writing the word on her arm, Anne gave Helen a doll, to show her what “doll” was. The next word she was spelled out was “cake” Although she could quickly repeat the same finger movements, Helen never really understood what the words meant. While Anne was struggling to help her understand the meaning of a word, she also was struggling to try to control Helen’s undesirable behavior. Making her educated and civilized was a great challenge for Anne. After a month, her behavior did improve. It was that initial month that the bond between Anne and Helen was established. After that month was the time that people referred to as the “miracle. It was not until 1887, that Helen began to grasp an understanding of the words. Anne pumped water on to Helen’s hand, and spelled out the word on her hand. Something about this activity helped Helen understand the meaning of the words.. Helen progressed as an individual over the years.

The life that she lived has had an impact on teaching methods, as well as technology. With the aid of Anne, through her writing, lectures, and the way she lived life, she has shown people that being disabled is not the end of the world. Her impact on education can be shown through this quote of hers: “The public must learn that the blind man is neither genus nor a freak nor an idiot. He has a mind that can be educated, a hand which can be trained…”

Have special education personnel stated that your child was ineligible for special education, because they do not fit into one of the 13 eligible categories? Does your child have Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) but you were told by school personnel that this does not fit into the 13 eligible categories? Has your child been diagnosed as emotionally disturbed and you believe the child has autism? This article will discuss how you can determine what category of classification that your child can receive special education services under. By knowing these categories you can advocate for the one that meets your child’s needs.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that every child with a disability must receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Also special education services to meet their unique needs. Labels or classifications do not determine, if a particular child is eligible for a particular special education service, though sometimes special education personnel act like it does.

Categories:

1. Autism: If you suspect that your child has autism ask special education personnel to give him or her, a childhood autism rating scale (CARS). The scale is done by the parent answering 13 questions about their child, and a knowledgeable person giving a score to the scale. The higher the number the more chance that the child has autism. If the scale is positive take your child to a specialized Pediatrician that specializes in autism.

Pervasive developmental disorder is on the Autism spectrum. Autism is one of the eligible categories for special education services. So a child with PDD is eligible for special education services under the category of autism.

2. OHI: For a child to be eligible under this category usually requires some type of documentation from the child’s physician. Many children with ADD and ADHD receive special education services under this category.

3. Mental Retardation: Determined by IQ score; a child’s IQ score under 75 is considered to be in the mental retardation range. Be careful if your child’s IQ is normal and decreases as they grow older, this is indicative of an inappropriate education, not necessarily mental retardation.

4. Emotional Disturbance (ED): Many children with autism are being given an ED label-Why? Because in my opinion special education personnel are reluctant to give a child an autism label due to cost of special education services. For a child to truly be ED, they must have no other disability!

5. Deafness: This is a total loss of hearing and usually requires physician documentation.

6. Hearing Impairment: Not a total loss of hearing as above!

7. Visual Impairment: Severe impairment not fixed by glasses or contacts.

8. Deaf-Blindness: Total loss of hearing and total loss of sight.

9. Specific Learning Disability (LD): Children with reading difficulty despite appropriate instruction, math difficulty despite appropriate instruction, dyslexia, visual processing disorder, sensory integration disorder (SID), auditory processing disorder, all qualify under LD.

10. Multiple Disabilities. Must include another disability and also mental retardation.

11. Orthopedic Impairment: A child with Cerebral Palsy would qualify under this category.

12. Speech or Language Impairment. Includes delayed speech, communication disorder, language disorder such as dyslexia, receptive and expressive language disorder etc.

13. Traumatic Brain Injury: Any injury to the brain either at birth or when the child was older.

By understanding the 13 categories and what is required for each one, you will be able to be an informed advocate for your child. Children who need special education services and do not get them may have their lives ruined forever!