Essay --

Testing is a way to measure what students have learned from their teachers. Standardized/High-Stakes testing is a tool used to measure the performance of students and the quality of teachers in public school systems. High-Stakes testing is an inaccurate measuring stick of teaching quality and thus is detrimental to the educational system. Pressure is being exerted on students to pass, and teachers to enable their students to pass the standardized tests being presented to them. This takes much classroom time that could be spent instructing students on what might be more valuable information, and instead study for the test by what some consider rote memorization (Silva). Experiments have been done seeing how much different teaching approaches were before and after the implementation of standardized testing (Desimone). These experiments demonstrated how vastly the difference between teaching to the test and teaching what the instructor believes is the most valuable knowledge and the best way to present this knowledge. If there is a disconnect between what America’s teachers believe is best to know, and what is on the examinations, then one of the two is flawed, and it is not likely to be what the teachers are teaching. Students simply do not care about their results on standardized tests. Many students either â€Å"Christmas Tree† (pick random answers, named because people sometimes make shapes) or just select one answer and continue with the same answer the entire way down (Tests that count). Student’s only incentive is that they might move on to the next grade, or that they have to pass to graduate. There are a significant number of students who simply drop out of high school. They can either get a GED or find a job that will sustain ... ...en if say, a parent had died within the past week. That would certainly be jarring enough to grant a pardon to a student. All a university would see, though, is a large F on the transcript. Teachers will neglect students that need the most help to help those who need a slight shove. This is known as â€Å"educational triage† (Booher-Jennings 231). Those on the threshold of passing the state mandated tests are significantly more likely to receive help from instructors than those that are significantly lower than their peers (233). This is to make the district look better as these children are far more likely to pass the test with the extra assistance. This still leaves the ones who were left behind essentially out to dry. If anything, it should be the opposite. The ones who are at the lowest levels should be receiving the most assistance on standardized test preparation.

Christopher Marlowe Works During The Renaissance

Many major and influential authors emerged during the Renaissance. Among these talented individuals was Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe and his fellow writers of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, impacted the course of writing, which preceded their life. Their works continue to be read and studied by numerous people, to this day. Christopher Marlowe was a dominant English poet and playwright, who perhaps was William Shakespeare†s most important predecessor in England (Britannica 917). Of all writers in the Elizabethan era, he was perhaps the most dashing, tempestuous, and appealing (Microsoft Encarta). Although Marlowe was considered the most important dramatist, prior to Shakespeare, his entire career as a playwright lasted only six years. Marlowe was born on February 6th, 1564 in Canterbury, England. His father, John Marlowe, was a shoemaker and tanner. His mother, Catherine Author, was the daughter of a clergyman. Marlowe attended Kings School in Canterbury, England. At Kings School, he received a very regimented education, which was considered one of the best available during that time. The school day began and ended with a prayer at six am and five p. m. respectively. In addition to daily instruction in religion and music, they also sang the morning mass in the Cathedral. The boys were allowed to speak solely in Latin, even while at play. He was granted a scholarship, established by Matthew Perry, to attend Corpus Christi College in Cambridge. (Gale Research) After receiving his BA in 1584, he became known as â€Å"Dominus† Marlowe(. At age twenty-one, his motto was â€Å"That which nourishes me, destroys me† (Kunitz 823). This statement foretold and shaped his writing style. From thereafter, many absences from the university were recorded. In 1587, he was allowed to obtain his Masters, only after the Privy Council sent a letter to the university making it very clear that his service to the government had frequently taken him abroad. He left Cambridge after six and a half years of study with the intention of taking holy orders and entering the Anglican Church, as ordained by his scholarship. However, instead he entered the government service, as an agent. In edition, Marlowe became a playwright for the London theatres. As an occasional actor in 1589, Marlowe maintained his role as a regular dramatist for the Lord Admirals Company. He also wrote for The Earl of Nottinghams Companies. Marlowe was often in trouble with the law, and little is known about his life, aside from his writings. He led an adventurous and dissolute life. Earlier playwrights concentrated on comedy, while Marlowe worked on tragedy, and advanced it considerably as a dramatic medium. By uncovering the great possibilities for strength and variety of expression in blank verse, Marlowe helped to establish the verse as the predominant form in the English drama. His first successful play, Tamburlaine the Great, was divided into two sections, parts one and two. It appeared that originally Marlowe intended to only write the first part. However, the popularity of the first part motivated him to create a second part. It was produced at Rose Theatre from 1587 to 1588, and published by R. Jhones in 1590. The ambition-maddened hero, in Tamburlaine the Great, was a shepherd, who desired the crown, luxury and power. However, his conquests were damaged by his absurdity. Tamburlaine marked the birth of the Shakespearean drama. The following lines from Tamburlaine illustrate Marlowe†s opinion of human glory: Nature that fram†d us of four elements Warring within our breasts for regiment, Doth teach us all to have aspiring minds: Our souls, whose faculties can comprehend The wondrous architecture of the world, And measure every wandering planet†s course, Still climbing after knowledge infinite, And always moving as the restless spheres, Wills us to wear ourselves and never rest, That perfect bliss and sole felicity, The sweet fruitition of an earthly crown. (Britannica 917) His masterpiece, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, told of a man selling his soul for the price of all knowledge. This appealed to the superstitious Elizabethans. It was produced in 1594 as Dr. Faustus at the Rose Theatre. V. Simmes published The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus in 1604. The following lines from this work show the possible redemption through Christ†s blood: The stars move still, time runs, the clock will strike, The devil will come, and Faustus must be damn†d. O, I†ll leap up to my God! -Who pulls me down? – See, see, where Christ†s blood streams in the firmament! One drop would save my soul, half a drop: ah, my Christ! – Ah, rend not my heart for naming of my Christ! Yet will I call on him: O, spare me, Lucifer! – Where is it now? 'tis gone: and see, where God Stretcheth out his arm, and bends his ireful brows! Mountains and hills, come, come, and fall on me, And hide me from the heavy wrath of God! (Britannica 918) In addition to writing plays, Marlowe also wrote poetry. His major poetic work was Hero and Leander. This was incomplete at his death, the first two sections were completed at his death and the remaining two were finished by George Chapman in 1598, almost five years after Marlowe†s death. Marlowes writing here shows an amazing skill in the management of the narrative decasyllable couplet. No agreement was reached as to the composition date of this poem, but it is ranked as a major work along with Tamburlaine and Faustus. Marlowe began writing poetry and performing plays, when he entered Kings School. His education shaped him to become the genius who first created the Shakespearean blank verse drama. This is why many hailed him as â€Å"The Morning Star†, of the turning point from comedy to drama in England (Marlowe Society Home Page). Marlowe had a dangerous reputation for being â€Å"atheist†; however, he could have had just unorthodox beliefs. He was aquatinted with Sir Walter Raleigh, who was adventurous in his religious beliefs. Marlowe was summoned on May 18th, 1593, to appear before the Privy Council for accounts of â€Å"atheism and immortality†. The charge was a heresy and a most serious crime; the ultimate penalty was burning at the stake. Despite the seriousness of the crime, Marlowe was released bail, however he had to appear at the court daily. Marlowe escaped to Debtford, England. He stayed at Dame Eleanor Bull†s house who hired out rooms and served meals. Marlowe was murdered there on May 30th, 1593, at age 29. The strange circumstances for Marlowes murder in that room in Debtford, have been the subject for many debates. Four men were present at the house on that day Robert Poley was an experienced government agent who carried the Queens most secret letters to and from the courts in Europe. He had arrived from Debtford, straight from The Hague, where he had been on the Queens business. Igram Frizer was the personal servant and business agent of Marlowe†s patron, Thomas Walsingham. Nicholas Skeres often assisted Poley. Poley, Skeres and Frizer were all experienced con men and liars. Also present that day was Christopher Marlowe. Some believe that the cause of his murder was a dispute over a dinner bill. Others believed that Marlowe was murdered because the three men believed that he knew too much about the government. Although the facts surrounding his death are unknown, the end result was Marlowe†s death by stab wounds. Igram Frizer was accused of the murder of Marlowe, however he was pardoned on June 28th, 1593. Marlowe was buried in Debtford on June 1st, 1593. The death of Christopher Marlowe led many scholars to theorize that he faked his death and assumed the name William Shakespeare to escape the Privy Council. Shakespeare was born two months after Marlowe, and he became very popular shortly after the death of Marlowe. Little is known about Shakespeare other then mentioned of his poor education. There is not much evidence of his existence other then baptism paper, and a will left leaving his bed to his wife. There is no mention of his works or manuscripts in his will Marlowe began his career as a poet and playwright towards the end of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was the period from about 1350 to 1600 in which European scholars revived the learning of ancient Greece and Rome. It was a period in European history that saw a renewed interest in the arts. In this time, the middle ages and feudal times were transformed into a society dominated by the arts. It was a time of achievements in the arts and sciences as well as a period when people were deeply concerned with religious issues. Renaissance is a French word meaning â€Å"rebirth†. Scholars reacted against what they saw as the â€Å"dark ages† of medieval Europe and revived the learning of ancient Greece and Rome. Like painting and sculpture, literature expressed the attitudes of the Renaissance. The middle class formed a demanding new audience, which enjoyed dramatic tales rather the comedies. Literature was often written in the common language, but some continued to write in Latin. Literature emphasized religious as well as worldly themes. Invention of printing during the Renaissance greatly increased the number of book available. In the fourteenth century, Europeans learned from Arabs who had previously learned from the Chinese how to make paper from rags and wood pulp. The fifteenth century invention of movable type by Johann Gutenberg also shaped the way literature had previously been written. Gutenberg developed a type of metal that could be used to make movable type. In 1455, the first complete edition of the bible was printed; this started the era of printed books. More and more pieces began to be printed up, and thus decreased the cost of books, making them more available and more popular (Beers 245). Each of Marlowe†s play included a protagonist with single passion that dominated them. The character is doomed to destruction due to their desire of power. He had a background of classical and theological learning. Marlowe â€Å"turned blank verse into a supple instrument for dramatic expression†. (Gale Research). Marlowe worked on tragedy and advanced it immensely. â€Å"Marlowe shows the power to view a tragic hero from more then one angle, achieving a simultaneous vision of grandeur and impotence† (Microsoft Encarta). Renaissance impacted Marlowe due to the desire of the middle class for tragedy rather then comedy, which had previously been the focus of European literature. Marlowe was one of the first writers of drama and tragedy that shaped the history of Europe. Marlowe laid the foundation of tragedy of what would rise up as a new era, known as the Shakespearean Era. Writing was a competition and was taken very seriously by writers including Marlowe. Writers are impacted tremendously by the time period that is taken place during their careers. The Renaissance was a time of new ways of writing and expressing ideas, which impacted the attitudes of the people. The writers changed their style to reflect the time and attitudes. They influence the minds of people to think about their ideas and opinions on a particular subject. Writers can persuade people concerning a topic by revealing the positive and negative aspects of it. Marlowe was an influential and powerful writer. It was unfortunate that his career was cut short. He had a very promising career, but his own decision to become a government agent endangered his career and stopped him from becoming an more popular and productive playwright.

The Market Revolution - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1176 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/05/18 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: Industrial Revolution Essay Did you like this example? The Market Revolution, one of the most commonly passed topics, at least in a public-school setting. All that was passed from it was the California Gold Rush and the creation of Levis Jeans and Wells Fargo . Maybe a squeeze from Andrew Jacksons Indian Removal Act. But nothing else. No mention of all the industrialization or the other things that happened in the Market Revolution. Here, we will be talking about the industrialization before the Industrial Revolution happened. The Industrial Revolution had its technical start during the Market Revolution. During that period, there were more technological inventions coming around, such as the steamboat and the telegraph , making it much faster and easier for people to communicate and travel. The city of New York joined in by making the Erie Canal, thus making shipping much easier. Trains had also come into play and, in early 1869, the last spike in the Transcontinental Railroad had been driven down . The introduction of wage labor had started its influence in American culture as well. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Market Revolution" essay for you Create order The people had thought wage labor was a good idea. They considered a fixed wage and work time to be better than trying to work with the seasons and with the light of day. The people had thought instead of working for prices on what they could get for their work, a fixed wage would help them because the wage wouldnt vary as much as selling your crops yearly would. The people of the time had thought factories to be good ideas because they would not have to work from home. The people had also thought that it would allow them to get paid better because they would not have to make so much to get a decent amount for their labor. Thomas Jefferson, however, believed that the idea of wage labor was constricting on the idea of American freedom. Many others believed him and went westward in search of land and opportunity, leading us to Manifest Destiny. The California Gold Rush was another factor, the illusion of getting gold nuggets as if they were nothing drew in thousands of men and their wives. With so many people leaving to go westward, many factory owners did not have many people to work their machines until immigrants came in to replace the people who had left. The immigrants were considered better, in a twisted kind of way, to the Americans because they could produce more items for the people and the owners could pay them less than what they would pay an American for. The progress of faster communication had started its turn during the market revolution. The semaphore had come before the telegraph. The semaphore was hilltop stations with moveable arms and telescopes to see other stations, it was not great if the weather that day, week, or month was not partly cloudy or clear skies. It led to the invention of the telegraph, a short message system that allowed faster communication. The telegraph was widespread by nineteenth century, its easier way of communication made the business industry easier to understand as people could now know quicker what they were ordering, how fast it would be getting there, and how much they would be paying for their shipments. The American government had also developed during the Market Revolution. The government had started paving roads people could use, thus having more people use them and lower the cost of damages to their wagons. They had allowed many states to enact toll roads to help with the construction, but most had fallen through due to states allowing shunpikes, a small detour, to avoid having to pay the high cost of maintenance of the toll roads. The people began to realize that while these roads were efficient and productive, the way of transport was not. The horse-drawn carriage was not ideal for travelling over long distance, due to the need of having to care for the horse over a long distance versus a shorter distance, thus comes in the water mode of transport. The horse-drawn carriage was ideal for short distances. But, the horse would often struggle to cross large rivers and the care over the distance would cost more than the trip itself. Thats when the steamboat enters in. Invented in 1803 but not introduced to America until 1807, it made travelling by water much easier than before. The steamboat had proven to people that it could travel against currents and get people to where they would need to be much faster and cheaper than before. Coming in, as briefly mentioned before, was the start of railroads and trains. The effectiveness was questioned as funding for new ones came in. Many opposed the funding of the railroads and religious leaders thought trains to be sacrilegious. Owners of inns and taverns thought it would ruin business. The people would protest this and often turn violent. The California Gold Rush had brought many people into California under the promise of gold and many left without it. While some did strike it rich, others struggled for hours to find even a small speck. Many people went and tried their luck anyways to get out of the wage labor and factory setting. There was some who did get rich, although it wasnt from gold. Levi Strauss, with the help of Jacob Davis, was able to make the Levis Jeans we all know today because the men had difficulty with their jeans tearing apart too often. Henry Wells and William P. Fargo had worked together as expressmen and later as president and secretary. Wells had gone to help others with the saving of their gold and intended to stay for three months but left after three weeks. Wells and Fargo realized people were moving to places with new opportunities and they had proposed to American Express that they should expand to follow where their customers would go. American Express rejected the idea, so Wells and Fargo left to create their own separate joint-stock company. Thus, leading to the Wells Fargo bank, we all know and, some, bank with today. The market revolution had other impacts, such as slavery, social reform, and indigenous rights. However, the idea of wage labor and slight advancements in industrialization helped make a name for it. It helped with travelling and impacted the idea of what the American Dream should be. It kickstarted Manifest Destiny and the idea of going west. It even helped influence the ideas of the Wild West in movies and theme park rides. The Market Revolution had a great start before slowly dying down because of the Civil war and then the Industrial Revolution but it left a lasting impact on many things we know today. It created many things that we know about today, such as the telegraph and steamboat as mentioned. It made stars that we still discuss such as Billy the Kid and Levi Strauss, although the latter is mainly known for his jeans. It created an influence on many of the things we use today. It was the start of the later revolutions to come.