FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT A5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT A5 - Essay Example verse, of representing the other currency by the dollar representation, here is what we get: one pound is equivalent to 1.474 dollars; one yen is equivalent to 0.010314 dollars; and one euro is equivalent to 1.2596 dollars. Looking at the British pound, we can see the conversion in terms of the other currencies. One British pound is equivalent to 142.92 yen; equivalent to 1.1702 euro and 1.474 dollar. Putting it in reverse, we represent the other currency in terms of the British pound equivalent. In this, we get 0.6784 British pound for one dollar, 0.006997 British pound for one yen, and 0.855 British pound for one euro. The Japanese Yen’s equivalent is given in the table as well. We can see how much one yen is equivalent to the other currencies. One yen is equivalent to 0.008188 euro, 0.010314 dollars, and 0.006997 British pounds. If we put it in reverse, we can represent as to how many yen each currency has for its equivalent in yen. Using the table, we get 96.96 yen for every dollar, 142.92 yen for one British pound, and 122.31 yen for one Euro. Lastly, we could represent the Euro by the other currencies. Here we see that one Euro is equivalent to 1.2596 dollars, 0.855 British pound, and 122.131 Japanese yen. If we put it in reverse, we can represent one currency by the amount of Euro. For every dollar, 0.7339 euro is the equivalent; for every British pound, 1.1702 is the equivalent; and for one Japanese yen, 0.008188 euro is the equivalent. Looking at a 91-day period we can first see the trend for the Japanese yen. As for the yen, for every day that has passed, the equivalent of yen to a dollar increases. When this happen, we say that yen loses its value to the dollar and the yen depreciates—more yen are needed to buy one dollar. As yen depreciates, the other currency appreciates—therefore, relative to yen, the trend for the dollar is upward and appreciating. The British pounds, Canadian dollar and European euro show relatively similar trends among

“Dreamland” & Islan Essay Example for Free

â€Å"Dreamland† Islan Essay In the book, â€Å"Dreamland† (Baker, 2000), the author Kevin Baker tells about Coney Island and the lower eastside of New York City, where there are rough individuals, such as gangsters who roam the area. I liked the main character, Kid Twist is a European immigrant, and he comes to the rescue of an individual when a gangster, by the name of Gyp the Blood is prepared to kill a small boy delivering newspapers in New York City. The sad part of the story was that this gangster wanted to kill this child for fun. It was strange that the small boy wasn’t really a boy; he was a man. He was Trick the Dwarf; a small midget who only dresses up like a young boy and in behind a hotel, Trick the Dwarf hides Kid Twist and that is where he discovers another character, by the name of Esther Abramowitz who is a poor seamstress. Kid Twist falls in love with this woman This story, which was quite amusing, takes place during the turn-of-the-century and creatively introduces many fascinating characters that make this story so memorable. There are women who go on strike, which fits in nice with Esther Abramowitz, who is a labor agitator and Trick even tried to seduce Mad Carlotta, who was only three feet tall but he found her to be very attractive, when she said that she was the Empress of Mexico. Esther Abramowitz is rebelling against her Russian-Jewish ex-rabbi parent and she is set on the idea of being a union organizer. Esther Abramowitz seemed like a great leader and one that had a remarkable imagination. The author is very descriptive with words when he tells us about Freud’s trip to America and about the Triangle Factory Fire in this tale about immigration, and it was interesting to discover the hope that was available in America from many different types of personalities. The author is able to describe various traits in individuals from all sorts of backgrounds in their quest for â€Å"Dreamland† which is of course, The United States of America. Big Tim Sullivan was extremely aggressive. He was the Irish-American State Senator who was a corrupt Tammany Hall boss and he seemed very crooked when he used bribes and many other undesirable ways of gaining what he wanted in order to rule in his position, in New York City. Lazar Abramowitz is Esther’s brother and he tries to have his sister’s boyfriend, who is Kid Twist, murdered by a thug. In â€Å"Dreamland†, it seemed like a place to relax and fantasize, which is an amusement park in Coney Island and a place that symbolizes a better and happier place to be. Trick the Dwarf is in his favorite land, where he is free to be likened unto Romeo with his clever charm and personality, while he continually seeks out the love of a woman to cure his loneliness. â€Å"Dreamland† focused on many different ethnic cultures and events and talks about the Jews and the Irish in their pursuit of the all American dream, of finding wealth, success and happiness in a better land in an uncontrollable era that takes place around the year 1910. There’s a nice touch of comedy in this story that keeps it interesting, while it still is able to tell a story of tragedy. Kid Twist was quite the amusing character who is an enforcer for the gangster, Gyp the Blood and when Kid Twist leaves Gyp the Blood, his boss is wounded from a shovel that leaves him bleeding in a dark basement on the Lower East Side of New York City. Kid Twist had no other choice, I guess, but to flee the area and hide away in the city of Brooklyn, New York with his friend Trick the Dwarf. I found this story to be interesting but morbid, at times. The characters made me feel sorry for them because some of them just seemed terribly hopeless in their venture at finding the American dream. The author was successful in making me feel thankful for the American dream that I already possess and I did have to sympathize with some of the immigrants from Ireland and other countries in this story, who lived such a rough life, while trying to gain something more in life, including power, love and money, while using murder and corruption as some of their tools. The story emitted a carnival atmosphere throughout the reading, and it was impossible to determine what new kind of character possessing some kind of personality or appearance flaw, would appear. The bowery bars and opium dens were depressing and it gave me a bad outlook of New York City in that time frame. It made New York City seem like a terribly dangerous place to live. The story really did come together in the end, and although I was shocked and awed by some of the crazy events that took place in this book, it was never boring or unclear about the meaning behind the story. The author was able to entertain me with his vivid imagination and his insight on a group of diverse people, all coming together in New York City, all looking for something that they needed, like Esther Abramowitz, who fell in love with a gangster and she was able to get something important from a criminal which was someone to love her back. I feel that this story focused on many different categories, such as economic exploitation, corruption and racism in our society of a mingled mix that makes up the melting pot of our nation. I learned so much about history and Geography from this story as the author described different locations and events that took place in that era of time. I got a better impression of what gangsters were like, back then, as well. It was hard to believe that so much criminal activity took place in the year 1910. The author was very successful at describing the criminal underworld with the prostitution and gang activity that surrounded the area. This story did prove that people are capable of doing almost anything in able to survive and it was quite clear that most wanted to do live in America, the land of hope and dreams. Reference Page Baker, Kevin. (2000). â€Å"Dreamland†. Harper Perennial.

Literary Analysis: The Storm :: essays research papers

The plot of the story "The Storm" by Kate Chopin is a conventional everyday plot. The story would not be so interesting if it weren't for the last line of the story; "So the storm passed and everyone was happy." What did she mean by the closing line? My interpretation of the story is that she meant the rocky part of both Calixta and Alcee's mariage had passed along with the storm. Both Alcee and Calixta cheated on their spouse, however, they both knew that when the stor was over they would return to faithfulness with their mates. Alcee obviously felt regretful, as indicated when the author writes; "It was a loving letter full of tender solicitude." He then went on to say "although he missed them, he was willing to bear the separation a while longer-realizing that their health and pleasure were the first things to be considered." These quotes were taken from the letter Alcee had written to his wife. The storm had passed and it looked as if everyone in Alcee's situation was going to be happy. As for Calixta, she was extremely happy to see her son and husband return home safely, as indicated in the story; "She had clasped Bibi and was kissing him effusively." Calixta then went on to Bobinot and "Felt him to see if he was dry, and seemed to express nothing but satisfaction at their safe return." Calixta had also withstood the storm of her marriage and everyone seemed to be happy too. Alcee and Calixta both seemed to realize they were blessed with loving spouses. In their moment of passion they did not realize how lucky they both were. I feel they both came to grips with the fact that what happened between them was an act of lust and there were no feelings involved. The moment was very arousing to each of them but when the storm was over so was the act of lust and betrayal. My opinion is, this act was going to help both Alcee's and Calixta's marriage rather than hurt it, as long as their respective spouses do not find out what happened during the storm. I bring this up because both guilty parties involved seemed to come away fromthe incident loving their spouses more and realizing that their choice of who to

Black on Black Crime Essay

Today I’m going to talk about How to stop black on black crime. Black on black violence is an enormous problem in the African-American community. Living in a neighborhood that is mostly minority, many may have witnessed a lot of black on black violence. The black on black violence has continued to arise in many communities and continues to be a problem around the world. Black on black violence is ignorant, and many black Americans should be coming together instead of killing one another. African-Americans people should be helping each other in the world. The black on black crimes problem can be solved through non-traditional ways. If we are allowed to illustrate how to present system dominate our lives and the condition that we currently exist. Armed with this knowledge, we will see the problem begin to dissipate. As African American, we â€Å"shout â€Å"when a person commits a violent act against us. We don’t need to display anger and harm against other. African-Americans killing one another, it proves to other races that black people do not know how to act, and that we are truly ignorant in this world. Black on Black crime has been the most insidious killer or black people. It’s not the guns or the drug creating the violence; it is caused by our mentality. We should group ourselves with other who is concerned and willing to sacrifice for the cause of saving our society from imploding. These crimes have always been there, but they are more pronounced because of the black community. African-Americans need to realize that all we have is each other and by killing each other we show that brotherly love does not exist among our own.

Human Resources Perspective Essay

Introduction For small and large businesses alike, the human resources or personnel function can be helpful for much more than simply processing payroll or handling the open enrollment season once a year. Human resources plays an essential role in developing a company’s strategy as well as handling the employee activities of an organization. Human resources can also provide human capital value to the organization, such as Utiliscan. Without this, a company is at potential risk for lost profits. Budget control is another primary function of human resources. This prevents excessive spending, through developing methods for keeping the workforce associated cost within perspective of the company’s goals. This also includes negotiating rates for benefits and health care coverage in conjunction with setting competitive and realistic wages. Throughout the remainder of this paper, we will discuss the results of Utiliscan’s employee survey and what steps Paul could have taken toward improving Utiliscan as the Human Resource Director. Survey Results Are In Upon completion of every survey, it is important to post the results for all employees and management to see. The results should be consolidated with a task assigned and a well-developed plan of action. This is an opportunity to develop the corps values of the company leadership, as well, build growth within the company. Take the time to prioritize company goals, to include expectations of the employer and employees. Tackle the big and the ugly up front by making a statement. After all, your goal is to make the company successful and show growth through opportunity. Result #1: 56% of Utiliscan felt their benefits were below average or poor. Task: Identify comparable benefits packages to meet the company needs as  well the employee Action: Studying the labor market, employment trends and salary analysis based on job functions will assist Paul with Utiliscan, as it is a small business, creating budget constraints. . As the human resources director, Paul should negotiate better rates. His responsibility is to find health coverage and offer package incentives to his employees. A good example of this, high quality insurance that includes low premiums for his employees with high percentage rates of protection. American Blue Cross Blue Shield provides medical, dental, and hearing protection at reasonable rates for companies. Aside from medical requirements, Paul should address salary, wages and retirement benefits packages with his employees. Fidelity is an example of a investment firm that allows parole deductions for employees to save money and earn market based profits and well stock option growth. Many companies in modern America now provide a 401k match plan. 5% to 6% match is a good comparable rate to start with. Result #2: 55% felt safe, with little danger of occupational hazards associated with their physical environment. There were comments, presumably from the 45% who did not feel safe, that some of the utility plants where they worked on installations were not as safe as they should be. Task: Identify safety hazards within and around the work environment. Action: Conduct training and development of employees and supervisors. Needs assessments for the organization’s current workforce to determine the type of skills training and employee development are necessary to improve skill sets. This includes qualifications, licensing and documentation of certifications. A company such as Utiliscan must ensure their employees meet specifications to insure quality productions levels, at the same time improving overall safety of the organization. Many companies identify hazards within the workplace and address them through education of their employees. It is much less expensive than the cost to hire additional staff or more qualified candidates. In addition, it’s a strategy that also can reduce turnover and improve employee retention. Result #3: 74% felt there was little relationship between their performance and their pay. There were numerous comments that performance reviews hadn’t been done on time or hadn’t been done at all. Other comments indicated arbitrary treatment and favoritism of some employees. Task: Identify the root cause for lack of performance appraisals and employee development programs. Build and mentorship program  to better support Utiliscan’s employee foundation. Action: Through Performance Improvement, Training and Development Paul can develop performance management tools. This will enable Paul and his managers to measure the performance of their employees and provide feedba ck. This is a developmental tool to improve the employee skills and expertise. If performance appraisals are not completed then the potential for employees whose performance to fall below the employer’s expectations can continue. This leads to waste through payroll activities and low-performance employees. Performance appraisals should be conducted monthly or quarterly with a final annual appraisal to determine potential for promotion or retain ability. Result #4: 89% felt there were few if any opportunities to improve their skills and 87% responded there were no promotion opportunities. Task: Develop a mentorship program and identify key developmental positions that will be forecasted. Action: Paul can focus his efforts toward performance management systems. Constructing a plan that measures performance, employees develop specified skill sets in order to become more qualified for potential promotion opportunities. At the same time, Paul can begin succession planning. This enables the company to identify key potential candidates to fill key developmental positon. This is done through identifying employees with the promise and requisite capabilities to eventually transition into leadership roles with the compa ny. This is an important function as it can guarantee the organization’s stability and future success. Result # 5: 78% of the employees were satisfied with their working conditions and they enjoyed freedom and flexibility to perform their jobs without strict supervision. 70% felt their workloads were adequate – not too heavy, not too light Task: Despite the overall content attitude toward working conditions and enjoyment of the employees daily work routines, there is always ways to improve the overall employee’s satisfaction. Identify a way to seek employee’s thoughts and ideas of how to make the work place a better environment. Action: Over all employee satisfaction can better the work place and improve the quality of life within the company. Happy employees work harder and produce more. This leads to more money for the company to grow. Paul should place a suggestion box to assist in identifying key components that his employees are requesting to make their work experience better. Some of their ideas may  lead to greater levels of quality, production, and even profits. Another option is to continue with carefully designed employee surveys, focus groups and an exit interview strategy to determine key components of employee dissatisfaction and addresses those issues to motivate employees. Corporate Image The employer who maintains steadfast principles, embraces change, accepts and breeds the company’s philosophy and business principles will win every time. Businesses want to be known as the company to work for or â€Å"Employer of Choice†. This is the company that receives recognition for the way they take care of their employees and care for them. These are the companies that employees find balance. Paul working in human resources can develop the tools to identify balance through recruiting the most qualified applicants, selecting the most suitable candidates and retaining the most talented employees. References: Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell (2008). The Essential HR Handbook: A Quick and Handy Resource for Any Manager or HR Professional Web Link: http://www.hrmasia.com/case-studies/ Mathis, R.L., & Jackson, J.H. (2014). Human Resource Management 14th Ed. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Impact of Technology on the Environment

Impact of Technology on the Environment Free Online Research Papers Ever since the beginning of time, humans have tried to adapt to their environment. Controlling nature is an almost impossible task to perform, so humans began relying on technology to achieve their goals. Technology can maintain the well-being of humans, but at the same time, have negative side effects. Humans who created technology may end up being controlled by it. Sandra Steingraber, an ecologist, discusses the negative effects of petrochemicals on humans in her essay, War. Her essay also discusses how the period of war led to the country having a war mindset. Gregory Stock, a scientist who researches the potential of genetics, discusses the use of germinal choice technology to better the future generations, in his essay, The Enhanced, and the Unenhanced. Stock also mentions that GCT is inevitable and that we must prepare for it. David Abram, an anthropologist, discusses the role of magicians and how they are important for connecting humans with their surroundings. Abrams idea of a magician is not the same as the one understood in Western culture, in which the magician performs tricks and illusions. He says that a magician plays an important role in the ecological function by connecting the human world and the â€Å"more-than-human† world that we live in. Abrams essay, The Ecology of Magic, focuses on the definition of magic and that every living, and non-living, thing in the world is a form that can experience interactions with other forms. These three authors seem to talk about totally different topics, but they share one point. An over dependence on technology has lead to a negative impact on the relationship between humans and the environment. Technology is taken for granted most of the time, which can lead to a change in the way we interact with the environment and a change within ourselves. Steingraber wants to bring to our attention the fact that many chemicals were released without being tested thoroughly after World War II. Steingraber argues that many of these petrochemicals were known or possible carcinogens, and that is a direct relationship with the rise in cancer rates. Steingraber says, Thus, many carcinogenic environmental contaminants likely remain unidentified, unmonitored, and unregulated. Too often this of basic information is paraphrased as there is a lack of evidence of harm, which in turn translated as the chemical is harmless (608). This shows that humans dependence on technology has led to a negative effect on both their health and their environment. Humans trusted technology so much that they did not think of testing it as being important. Stock is an example of these types of humans. Stock b elieves that GCT is inevitable and that it is coming whether we want it or not. Stock does not give much thought as to the negative effects of GCT, just as long as it is released to the public. Stock says, The coming choices will force us to confront our attitudes about what constitutes as a meaningful life, our responsibilities to others, our prejudices, and what we mean when we say that all potential lives are equal and deserve protection (635). This supports the thesis in which, technology has changed how humans interact with one another and with their environment. Here, Stock is saying that the choice to use GCT or not will define us as human beings or not and it will change the way we look at our environment and how we value it. Abrams essay is based on this point. Humans interacting with other multiple intelligences is his sort of definition of magic. Abrams believes in the idea of multiple intelligences in which every form can experience another form. Therefore, this is related to the point Steingraber is trying to make in which we do not value nature as highly as we used to when we did not have technology. Abram says, We are human only in contact, and conviviality, with what is not human (17). This ties up the point that technology has changed the way humans interact with their environment. An over-dependence on technology has led to a change in the way people treat living, non-living things and their environment. Stock feels that GCT is a representation of the true human, instead of a danger to the human within, while Steingraber thinks that we will cause ourselves more harm with the production of petrochemicals. Stock does not look at nature and technology as two different things, but that humans are a part of the natural world. Stock says, That humans are a part of the natural world, as are the technologies we create. Furthermore, Stock feels that the development of germinal choice technology is the ultimate expression and realization of our humanity rather than a threat to what is human within us (Stock 630). The important idea here is that Stock believes that GCT is what humans are all about and it is something we must do. The irony of improving human lives lies in the fact that modernization often produces unintended negative consequences, or as Steingraber calls them, petrochemicals. As said by Steingraber, whenever we make synthetic molecules to solve one problem, they create ano ther. Steingraber said, Thus, synthetic organics easily interact with the various naturally occurring biochemicals that constitute our anatomy and participate in the various physiological processes that keep us alive. By design, petroleum-derived pesticides have the power to kill because they chemically interfere with one or another of these processes (Steingraber 601). Basically, what Steingraber is saying in this quote is that the petrochemicals we make to solve our problems easily interact with the biochemicals in our body and have negative effects on us. Steingraber believes that our attempts to move forward are actually bringing us back. Abram expresses this same idea but through a different example. Abram believes that our dependence on technology has made us less connected with the natural world, and therefore we cannot truly experience all forms of life. Abram says, As humans, we are well acquainted with the needs and capacities of the human body- we live our own bodi es and so know, from within, the possibilities of our form (10). In this quote we can see that Abram points out one of the reasons we depend on technology as we do today. We know our possibilities yet we want to go beyond them and explore our surroundings. We use technology to break the barrier between our goals and our limits. This usage of technology has made us less dependent on nature, and more curious about the unknown. The irony of improving human lives lies in the fact that modernization often produces unintended negative consequences. Steingraber gives an example of an attempt to better human lives, but ended with negative consequences, that affected her personally and affected the country for years to come. DDT, or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, which at first had no use, was first used to halt a typhus epidemic in Naples. The effectiveness of DDT on the insect carriers of the disease led to the approval of the U.S. government to use DDT for civilian use. Steingraber says â€Å"It is one thing to fumigate war refugees falling ill from insect-borne epidemics and quite another to douse the food supply of an entire nation not at risk for such diseases† (Steingraber 603). This demonstrates the over-dependence on technology and how it can lead to negative effects. The DDT chemical easily attached to organs with high fat content and caused a rise in cancer rates. This is synonymous wit h Stocks use of germinal choice technology to alter any little imperfection we have. Stock not only wants to use GCT for curing diseases but also to alter any unwanted physical attribute. Stock says â€Å"Safety aside, though, why shouldn’t we try to give our future children the talents we did not have or eliminate deficiencies that held us back? If we could make our baby smarter, more attractive, a better athlete or musician, or keep him or her from being overweight, why wouldn’t we?† (Stock 639-640). This shows the new human attitude toward nature, in which, we use technology to change what we do not like. Stock makes it seem like it is normal, or it is inevitable, that you can choose how your future child will come out. Abram does not approve of this because it leads to a disconnection between humans and nature. Abram and Steingraber both believe that we do not have to use technology for everything, because there is always a natural alternative. For ex ample, Steingraber mentions that plastic used to be derived from plants rather than petroleum. Also for example, instead of taking pills for a headache, one could sleep it off. In conclusion, an over-dependence on technology has lead to a negative impact on the relationship between humans and the environment. Sandra Steingraber, Gregory Stock, and David Abram discuss totally different topics but they all have one major common point. Steingraber discusses the way we use technology for a good use, but end up with negative effects. She also talks about how technology has changed the way we value nature. Stock talks about the inevitability of advanced technology to change our physical appearance, but at the same time, this technology will widen the gap between human beings themselves and the environment. Stock does not see technology and nature as two separate things but that humans are a part of the natural world. Abram shows that relying on technology has severed our connection to the natural world and to the many forms that inhabit it. Also Abram discusses the theory of multiple intelligences in which every form can experience another form, which is s omething that the West lacks and the East thrives in. They show that technology can change us just as we used it to change our surroundings. Research Papers on Impact of Technology on the EnvironmentGenetic EngineeringPETSTEL analysis of IndiaRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andStandardized TestingBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Project Managment Office SystemOpen Architechture a white paper19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided Era

Economic Issues Simulation Paper

Economic Issues Simulation Paper Introduction Employees are the most valuable asset of each and every organization. The wellbeing of the employees has a direct relationship with their level of productivity. Employees who have managed to achieve all the elements of wellness are more productive (Wilkinson, 2005). There are five elements of wellness namely, physical wellness, career wellness, social wellness, community wellness and financial wellness. Every employee needs to achieve all the elements of wellness.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Economic Issues Simulation Paper specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Physical wellness is the most challenging to achieve since it relates to the health of the employee. The challenge is attributed to the costs involved in treating the sick employee or preventing the occurrence of diseases among employees (Wilkinson, 2005). Besides, the employers or organizations suffer huge losses on a daily basis in the f orm of lost productivity when their employees fall sick (Wilkinson, 2005). Thus managing the cost of preventing diseases and treating sick employees has become a major concern to employers and the government. Health insurance plans have been used as one of the most effective strategies for controlling expenses associated with treating and preventing diseases. This paper analyzes Construct IT in terms of the health insurance needs of its employees. Company Profile Construct IT is an industry-led consultancy organization in the construction industry (Construct IT, 2010). The organization was founded in 1994 in the UK to provide consultancy services to various stakeholders in the construction industry. Construct IT is a non-profit organization that facilitates networking in the industry by collaborating with representatives from various organizations and professionals in the construction industry (Construct IT, 2010). The organization aims at improving the industry’s performance by encouraging innovative application of IT as well as research and development. The organization’s main activities includes promoting research, facilitating networking, value and benefits study, benchmarking best practice and managing projects. The members of the organization are representatives from various firms in the construction industry. Representatives from various Universities and higher learning institutions are also members. However, the members are not employees of the organization. This means that their physical wellness is the responsibility of the companies that employ them. Construct IT is run by a team of 15 employees. Out of the 15 employees, 13 are members of the management board (Construct IT, 2010). The remaining two serve in the positions of administrative support and webmaster. The staffs are employed on contracts that are renewable. 8 of the employees are male while the remaining 5 are female.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The employees fall in the age bracket of between 30 to 55 years with an annual income of at least $ 60,000. The employees are stationed in different parts of UK and Europe. They travel regularly in order to meet the clients and member of the organization (Construct IT, 2010). The staff members of the organization have specialized skills in various fields. All employees have at least a University degree in their areas of specialization (Construct IT, 2010). The health risk factors for the organization include inactivity and excess weight. This is attributed to the fact that the employees are mainly engaged in in-door activities that discourage body exercise (Construct IT, 2010). Besides, they have limited time to visit physical fitness clubs in order to exercise their bodies. The other health risk factor relates to behaviors such as smoking, consumption of alcohol and eating junk fo odstuffs. Consequently, the employees are at risk of suffering from diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure and even obesity (Rodin, Blewett, Davern, 2009). The company intends to manage the health issues through a health insurance plan. This will cost the company $78,000 annually. Types of Health Insurance Plans There are three health insurance plans that the organization can use to achieve its objective of reducing cost of healthcare and improving the physical wellness of its employees. The first plan is referred to as free-for-service health plan. In this case, the insurer pays for the cost of treatment when the insured employee visits a health provider for treatment (Rodin, Blewett, Davern, 2009). The insurer pays part of the treatment fee while the insured pays the rest through their employer. Thus the employer pays monthly premiums to the insurer (Stvens, 2003). The insured is compensated for the treatment fee upon filling a claims form. This plan gives the employees a chance to choose their preferred doctors and hospitals. The plan costs at least $ 500 per employee annually (Davern, Quinn, Kenney, 2009). The free-for-service plan can be considered by the company due to the fact that it covers most illnesses. Besides, most of the organization’s employees are stationed outside the country. Thus they will need to obtain health services from different healthcare providers without restrictions. The second plan is referred to as health maintenance organization plan (Stvens, 2003). It is a prepaid plan in which the users pay a monthly premium to the insurance company (Morrisey, 2007). The plan provides comprehensive cover to the employee and their families. The covered services include surgery, emergency care, hospital stay and doctor’s visits. The plan would cost the organization at least $ 550 per employee annually (Davern, Quinn, Kenney, 2009). This plan can be considered by the organization for two reasons. First, it covers the emplo yees and their family members hence eliminating the anxiety that develops among employees when their family members fall sick. Second, it is efficient since claim forms are not needed to process payment. Finally, it covers most illnesses including regular health screening by a doctor.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Economic Issues Simulation Paper specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The last plan is referred to as preferred provider organization health plan. This plan combines the features of for-free-service health plan and health maintenance organization plan (Davidson, Brown, Kincheloe, 2007). In this case the insured are treated by a particular doctor at a particular hospital. However, they can also visit other hospitals at a higher cost. The claim forms are not needed in this case since credit cards are used to process payment. The plan would cost the organization at least $ 500 per employee annually (D avern, Quinn, Kenney, 2009). This plan can be considered by the organization due to the fact that it is convenient and also provides comprehensive cover. Form the above analysis of the organization’s profile and the various health insurance plans, the preferred provider organization plan will be the best for the organization. Unlike, free-for-service plan it is more efficient since the claim forms are not needed to process claims (Davern, Quinn, Kenney, 2009). It also covers more healthcare services as compared to free-for-service plan. This plan is also better than the health maintenance organization plan since it allows the users to access health services from health providers outside the plan. Besides, it also covers preventive care which is not included in health maintenance organization plan. Given the Gallup’s strategy of consumer-driven healthcare, the preferred provider organization health plan should be modified as follows. The plan should include programs t hat train or encourage the staff to be more responsible for their health. The high cost of providing health services should be emphasized in such programs. To achieve this objective, the plan should use part of the premium to promote behavior change and better lifestyles among the employees. This will reduce cases of illnesses among the employees. Thus there will be savings as the employer and employees spend little on healthcare. Conclusion Physical wellness influences the performance of employees in every organization (Wilkinson, 2005). Therefore most organizations are focusing on strategies that can allow their employees to access medical services at reduced costs. Health insurance is one of the strategies used by organizations to access medical services at reduced costs.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is for this reason that Construct IT intends to purchase a health insurance cover for its employees. A part from offering health insurance, organizations should encourage their staff to be responsible for their health. This will reduce chances of falling sick thus reducing spending on health services. References Construct IT. (2010). About us. Retrieved from https://www.salford.ac.uk/built-environment/collaborate-with-us/construct-it Davern, M., Quinn, B., Kenney, G. (2009). The American community servey and health insurance coverage estimates. Health Serrvices Research, vol. 44 (2) , 593-605. Davidson, G., Brown, E., Kincheloe, E. (2007). Accuracy of self-reported health insurance coverage among medicaid enrolees. Inquiry, vol. 45 (4) , 438-560. Morrisey, A. (2007). Health insurance. New York: Health Administration Press. Rodin, H., Blewett, L., Davern, M. (2009). Employement and health insurance coverage for rural Latino population. Journal of Community Health, vol. 30 (1) , 181-195. Stvens, W. (2003). Health insurance: current issues and background. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Wilkinson, N. (2005). Managerial economics. Cambridge: Cambrige University Press.

Whats the Highest New SAT Score Possible

What's the Highest New SAT Score Possible SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Understanding how the SAT scoring system works is an important part of preparing for the test. After all, how else are you supposed to measure your progress and set goals? The SAT underwent some big format changes in 2016, which means that the scoring system most people were familiar with was radically overhauled. Here, I’ll cover how the scoring system has changed on the SAT, how this has affected the highest possible SAT score, and what this means for test takers. How Has the SAT Changed in Recent Years? Before 2005, the SAT had just two sections (Math and Critical Reading), and each was scored on a scale of 200-800, giving you a maximum possible SAT score of 1600. In 2005, the College Board instituted a newer version of the SAT with three sections; this changed the maximum possible score to 2400. The new version of the SAT also came with updates to test content and question types. But in the beginning of 2016, the College Board updated the SAT a second time both in terms of its scoring system and content.There are still three parts of the test but these are now scored as two sections:Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing(which is a combination of Reading and Writing). Each of these sections is scored on a scale of 200-800.In addition, there’s an optional Essay section(whose score is separate from your overall SAT score). You might notice that the structure of the current SAT isfairly similar to that of the ACT. Another important change is the switch to rights-only scoring, which means that points are no longer deducted for wrong answers. Simply put, there’s no guessing penalty on the SAT! Now, let's take a closer look at what these changes mean for the highest possible SAT score and the SAT Essay. The Highest Possible SAT Score As I mentioned, the current SAT is scored as two sections (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, or EBRW). Each has a maximum of 800. This means that the new highest possible SAT score is 1600. Basically, the SAT shifted from a maximum score of 1600 (before 2005), to a maximum score of 2400 (2005-2015), to back down to a maximum of 1600 (2016-present).Note, though, that even though the SAT returned to the 1600 scale, the current SAT format differs a lot from its very old (pre-2005) format. You can learn more about what counts as a good, bad, or average SAT scoreby reading our guide. The Highest Possible SAT Essay Score The essay used to be a mandatory part of the SAT Writing section. Now, though, it's an optional separate section with an independent scoring system.This means that your Essay score is not included in the total maximum SAT score of 1600. Two graders will read your SAT essay and score your work on three different dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. Each grader will give you between 1 and 4 points for each dimension. In sum, each dimension is being scored out of 8 possible points. Three separate scores (out of 8 points each) means that the highest possible SAT Essay score is 8|8|8, or 24 total points. Because the essay is now scored on three separate dimensions, it may make it easier for you to hone in on (and improve) your writing weaknesses. What These SAT Scoring Changes Mean for You These structural and scoring changes to the SAT might not sound like a huge deal, but they could change the way you approach the test. Here are the major features of the new SAT to keep in mind as you prepare for the test: #1: There's a Greater Emphasis on Math On the old SAT, the Reading and Writing sections accounted for two-thirds of your total SAT score, whereas Math accounted for just one-third (remember that each of the three sections was scored on a separate scale of 200-800 points, adding up to a maximum of 2400 points). Now, the Math section accounts for half your total SAT score. If Math isn’t your strong subject, you'll need to dedicate more time to preparing for this section than you would have had to do had you taken the old version of the SAT. Since Math now counts for a far bigger fraction of your score, you don't want to do poorly on it! To get started on your SAT Math prep, check out our ultimate guide to the SAT Math section. #2: Know the Expectations for the SAT Essay The current SAT Essay gives you three scores for three different dimensions, with each being out of 8 points.Check out the SAT Essay rubric to see exactly what graders are looking for from test takers. I also recommendreadingour guide to getting a perfect 8 on each of the three SAT Essay dimensions. #3: Don't Be Scared to Guess on Questions With the 2016 switch to rights-only scoring (meaning that there are no point deductions for wrong answers), there’s no reason to leave any questions blank.You have nothing to lose if you guess on a question that you’re otherwise unable to answer, so go ahead and put down an answer! Take a look at our article onhow and when to guess on SAT questionsto learn more about how to increase your chances of getting a question right on test day. Guessing obviously isn’t ideal, but these changes to the SAT mean you don’t have to stress about whether to guess if you’re super stuck on a question! What’s Next? How many people actually score a 1600 on the SAT?Read our expert guide to learn what the answer is! Knowing how the SAT is scored can be useful- but it’s even more helpful if you have a context for understanding these scores. Start off by learning about the SAT score range. Afterward, read up on what counts as good, bad, or excellent SAT score. Intrigued by the idea of a perfect SAT score? Check out our famous guide on how to get a 1600, written by an actual perfect scorer! Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today!

Stylistic analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Stylistic analysis - Essay Example Non-academic readers can be any person with reading skills. Academic readers can also read non-academic writings. Readers expect different things from academic and non-academic writings, but depending on the writing, can read both genres. The second difference between academic and non-academic writing is structure. Academic writings are structured according to whichever academic style the writer applies. APA is used for medical, psychology, and other related fields, which include a strict guideline for borders, page numbers, and referencing. MLA is used for literature related academic papers. Finally, Harvard referencing is used in England and Australia. Strict structure is a must for academic writing. Non-fiction writing is loosely structured, depending upon the writing. For example, fiction novels can switch between past, present, and future without clear structure. The only real structure that non-academic writers use is the paragraph, sentences, and punctuation. This structure does not even have to be grammatically correct for non-academic writing. The difference between the two types of writings is black and white. Academic writings have a distinct style. The language must be formal, without the use of you, I, or any first person references, unless quoting a source. The academic style is intellectual, structured, and formal. Referencing and in-text citation is part of a good academic papers style. Non-academic writings are not formal. Spelling mistakes, jargon, and first person can be used. Referencing is not used in non-academic writings. The style of a non-academic paper can range from a kindergarten students first sentences to J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter. The style can be flexible, whereas in academic writing is inflexible. Readership, structure, and style are different in academic and non-academic writing. These three things define both writings as academic or

Based Occupational Therapy for Adolescent Children Research Proposal

Based Occupational Therapy for Adolescent Children - Research Proposal Example Some agencies are starting to get involve in the public information campaign on various drug prevention and control programs whereby it adheres to the idea of using social influence and role playing to discourage adolescents from starting drug use and encourage them to refuse drugs in the future and consequently improve children's social health status. Historically, human infants are born without any culture. There must be transformation by their parents, teachers, and others into cultural and socially proficiently animals. The overall process of acquiring culture is referred to as socialization. During socialization, people learn the language of the culture they are born into, so as the roles they are to play in life. For instance, girls learn how to be daughters, wives, sisters, friends, and mothers. In addition, they learn about the occupational roles that their society has in store for them. People also learn and usually adopt culture's norms through the socialization process. Norms are the conceptions of appropriate and expected behavior that are held by most members of the society. While socialization refers to the general process of acquiring culture, anthropologists use the term enculturation during the socialization process to a particular culture. Early childhood is the period of the most intense and the most critical so cialization. It is then that we acquire language and learn the fundamentals of our culture. It is also when much of one's personality takes shape. But, note that if one continue to be socialized throughout lifetime. As people age, we enter new statuses and need to learn the appropriate roles for them. We also have experiences that teach us lessons and potentially lead us to alter our expectations, beliefs, and personality. For instance, the unpleasant experience of being raped would tend to cause a woman to be distrustful of others. According to Stoffel and Moyers (2004), individuals with problem on substance abuse are often referred to occupational therapy with the help of professional that deals more on self care, productivity through purposeful activities to help achieve the client's full recovery. Occupational therapy is a therapeutic activity or workshop that provides real life experiences to enhance individual's personality uplift self and has a meaningful life by means of rehabilitation. The major role of occupational therapists is to help the client become a successful member of the society again by allowing individual to develop a healthy lifestyle and participate in therapeutic activities (Gerrie ter Haar and James J. Busuttil 2005). Gordon (2003) stated that individual should change old habits by learning new skills and living a balance life that changes addictive behaviors to positive lifestyle, which uniquely outfitted to occupational therapy. Occupational therapy teaches skills to establish individual's role in the community. The purpose is to help individual balance responsibilities through learning effective coping strategies can communicate effectively and can be able adjust to stressful

A close reading of Life is a dream by Pedro Calderon De La Barca. What Essay

A close reading of Life is a dream by Pedro Calderon De La Barca. What does this tell you about the nature of Spanish society, about its values, social mores, expectations, political culture - Essay Example jailer of Segismund said in the play, â€Å"Dreams are rough copies of the waking soul.†1 Therefore, what people dreamed about was not necessarily in vain. They were having dreams for a reason. With the idea that life was a dream, De La Barca was playing with notions of whether the consciousness present in life actually existed in Golden Age Spain. De La Barca, in his play, predicted that Segismund would one day grow up to revolt against his father the King. In chaining Segismund to the floor in a prison, he thought that he could keep his son sequestered, far enough away so that he could not hurt the King. However, this sense of fatalism that the King had felt in terms of his son growing up in the future to one day kill him, scared the King so much that he decided to do something about it (by chaining up his son). However, as one shall see, the idea of fatalism is a key Spanish value that we shall examine in the next portion which we will be reading. Spanish values included an unshakeable sense of fatalism, as Segismund speaks about the illusion and reality present in life—a dualism, if one will. He also speaks of the inevitable end of the world with precocious wit, intimating with a fatalistic sense that his suffering is only temporary. The Spanish people also believed very much in destiny (â€Å"el destino†) and how it related to their outlooks on life. Believing in destiny, many people in Spanish culture had the specific idea that one was supposed to be somewhere at a specific time in order to fulfill their destinies. As Segismund describes in this soliloquy, With the idea that values were important in Golden Age Spain—as well can one imagine—also important was the idea of having social mores. These were prescriptive ideals which were vanguards of the values of the people, which will now be discussed at length. Spanish social mores in the Golden Age were very strict. That is why the King warned Segismund once he approached the kingdom with

Law for Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Law for Business - Essay Example Either the acceptance of an offer may be a statement of agreement, or, if the offer invites acceptance in this way, a performance of an act requested in the terms of the offer. It is important to note that acceptance is the final and unqualified acceptance and it must be according to the types and the requirements of the offer hence acceptance must exactly match the offer. Other forms of acceptance of an offer may be spoken, written, by action and an acceptance is never acceptance when there is silence and assumption. For example, if one tells a neighbor kid that if the kid mows the offeror’s lawn, the offeror will pay $50.00, and the kid does actually mow the lawn. The act of mowing constitutes the manifestation of the kid’s assent hence constituting an acceptance given the offer presented and the terms upon which it is presented. For a contract based on offer and acceptance to be binding and enforceable by law, the terms must be capable of determination in the same co urts of law in a way that it is clear that the parties assent was given to the same terms of agreement. The terms must be in the position of being able to manifest themselves or be determined determined objectively. They may be written, or sometimes oral, although some kinds of contracts require writing as evidence of the agreement to be enforced in the courts of law. What is an offer? In an offer the offerer decides to make an offer and goes further vto communicate the offer. The offeree is then left with the responsibility of either accepting or rejecting the offer of which they have to communicate the acceptance in the case they decide to accept the offer with the terms around it Fisher v Bell [1961] 1 QB 394. The offerer then decides to receive the acceptance and the contract remains binding. An offer therefore can be defined as definite promise to be bound upon some specific terms, making it be a proposition by one party to another party on fixed terms that are fixed or in a po sition of being fixed. This is with the intention that it will be binding when accepted by the offeree in either of the forms prescribed for acceptance. In fact, a definite offer does not need to be made to a specific person, this is because it can be made to a particular class of persons or the world in general and it would remain binding if all the requirements were adhered. An  offer  is actually an expression of willingness to contract on certain terms, made with the intention that it shall become binding as soon as the person to whom it is addressed, the â€Å"offeree† [G.H. Tretel, The Law of Contract, 10th edn, p.8], accepts it. The â€Å"expression† referred to in the definition of an offer may take different forms, such as a letter, newspaper, fax, email and even conduct, as long as it communicates the basis on which the offeror is prepared to contract. The â€Å"intention† referred to in the definition is objectively judged and only determinable by courts. The English case of Smith v. Hughes (1871) LR 6 QB 597 emphasizes that the important thing is not the party’s real intentions but; how a reasonable person would view the situation making. This makes an offer not to be so specific to an individual. This is mainly due to common sense as each party would not wish to breach his side of the contract, if it would make him or her culpable to damages, it would especially be contrary to the principle of certainty and clarity in

Faculty of Business Environment and Society Essay - 6

Faculty of Business Environment and Society - Essay Example Managing of international human resources actually enables an organization to compete successfully in the global marketplace, and this is a proper method for the employees development (Du Plessis & Beaver, 2008). The human resource managers allow their employees to go on international assignments without basic training or given time for the â€Å"transitioning†. The human resource managers have to put in place structures that develop the required leadership professionalism. The reviews on relevant literature would provide a picture of the affairs regarding human resource Managers and employees. The significant difference in between human resource management and international human resource management is the fact that one is related to multinational corporations while the other is related to domestic firms (Du Plessis & Beaver, 2008). The effective international managers are those who are flexible, adaptable, speaking in foreign languages, open-minded, and make friends from many nationalities (Du Plessis & Beaver, 2008). This is advantageous especially when a company outsources overseas in order to explore a new market that has the new lifestyle, labour conditions, and language. At the point when a business expects to grow to an abroad market, human resource directors need to use human capital keeping in mind the end goal efficiency and productivity. Human resource chiefs could counsel local delegates of an oversee business with respect to employment aspects, the country’s local culture, safety, traditions or customs so as to work in concordance with local procedures. In Dubai, for example, like the most of Islamic nations, the foreign women are not permitted to be employed. Hence, this will influence human resources worldwide recruitment procedure for the workers, as well as for wives of its professional expatriates. Diverse moral and business guidelines can likewise

Law for Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Law for Business - Essay Example Either the acceptance of an offer may be a statement of agreement, or, if the offer invites acceptance in this way, a performance of an act requested in the terms of the offer. It is important to note that acceptance is the final and unqualified acceptance and it must be according to the types and the requirements of the offer hence acceptance must exactly match the offer. Other forms of acceptance of an offer may be spoken, written, by action and an acceptance is never acceptance when there is silence and assumption. For example, if one tells a neighbor kid that if the kid mows the offeror’s lawn, the offeror will pay $50.00, and the kid does actually mow the lawn. The act of mowing constitutes the manifestation of the kid’s assent hence constituting an acceptance given the offer presented and the terms upon which it is presented. For a contract based on offer and acceptance to be binding and enforceable by law, the terms must be capable of determination in the same co urts of law in a way that it is clear that the parties assent was given to the same terms of agreement. The terms must be in the position of being able to manifest themselves or be determined determined objectively. They may be written, or sometimes oral, although some kinds of contracts require writing as evidence of the agreement to be enforced in the courts of law. What is an offer? In an offer the offerer decides to make an offer and goes further vto communicate the offer. The offeree is then left with the responsibility of either accepting or rejecting the offer of which they have to communicate the acceptance in the case they decide to accept the offer with the terms around it Fisher v Bell [1961] 1 QB 394. The offerer then decides to receive the acceptance and the contract remains binding. An offer therefore can be defined as definite promise to be bound upon some specific terms, making it be a proposition by one party to another party on fixed terms that are fixed or in a po sition of being fixed. This is with the intention that it will be binding when accepted by the offeree in either of the forms prescribed for acceptance. In fact, a definite offer does not need to be made to a specific person, this is because it can be made to a particular class of persons or the world in general and it would remain binding if all the requirements were adhered. An  offer  is actually an expression of willingness to contract on certain terms, made with the intention that it shall become binding as soon as the person to whom it is addressed, the â€Å"offeree† [G.H. Tretel, The Law of Contract, 10th edn, p.8], accepts it. The â€Å"expression† referred to in the definition of an offer may take different forms, such as a letter, newspaper, fax, email and even conduct, as long as it communicates the basis on which the offeror is prepared to contract. The â€Å"intention† referred to in the definition is objectively judged and only determinable by courts. The English case of Smith v. Hughes (1871) LR 6 QB 597 emphasizes that the important thing is not the party’s real intentions but; how a reasonable person would view the situation making. This makes an offer not to be so specific to an individual. This is mainly due to common sense as each party would not wish to breach his side of the contract, if it would make him or her culpable to damages, it would especially be contrary to the principle of certainty and clarity in

Operations Management as an integral component of a manufacturing Essay

Operations Management as an integral component of a manufacturing industry - Essay Example MRP ensures that there is just about enough materials available for production. If this planning is not efficiently done, there is the likelihood of either finding oneself in a situation where the materials for production is less than required leading to disruption in production or having too much of materials resulting in wasteful spending. MRP has evolved with the computer technology. Its full potential embracing all aspects is prevalent in data base software and there is tremendous scope for utilization of all the heads and sub-heads for the purpose of manufacture of unique and desirable product. It operates on the basis of a master schedule and develops the requirement for materials. The software is programmed to procure different materials for a product. MRP has to be tuned to production planning. Otherwise there will be mismatch in procurement. Normally, MRP through the use of computer is good for mass production where the volume of manufacture is high. Production planning is a part of the master schedule and sees through the MRP. It is an input to capacity plan. The MRP software is complex and so the user has to be provided training so that he is in a position to apply his knowledge in the use the software to the actual requirement of the organization. He must be capable of understanding the software to maximize its use so that the computer is not seen as something that only produces reports with information of non-relevance and disuse. Once the details in the customers' orders are fed into the integrated database, the system checks the schedule as against the current capacity. If the inputs of the materials requirement exceed current capacity, it provides the alternatives for increasing capacity or creating adjustments in the master schedule. The process of MRP must suit its environment to optimize production. In other words, business adapts MRP to suit the market. The computerized version of MRP is complex and is designed to cater to high volumes (Material Requirement Planning MRP). While on the subject, it is necessary to gauge the break-even point with MRP. There are several ways of analyzing the break-even point. Costs and sales forecast analysis is one of them (Decision Making). Total Quality Management (TQM) Total Quality Management is that aspect of management where there is awareness of maintaining quality at every level. According to the International Organization for Standardization, "TQM is a management approach for an organization, centered

Special Education Needs Essay Example for Free

Special Education Needs Essay Ronald Gulliford and Graham Upton say that special educational needs (SEN) came in use as a result of dissatisfaction: The term special educational needs began to come into use in the late 1960s as a result of increasing dissatisfaction with the terminology used in the Handicapped Pupils and School Health Service Regulations (1945), which classified handicapped children into ten categories according to their main handicap. (Gulliford and Upton, 1992). The definition of SEN in the Education Act 1996 is: ‘a child has special educational needs. if he has a learning difficulty which a medical condition does not necessarily imply a ‘difficulty in learning’ or a ‘disability’ and therefore may not constitute a learning difficulty requiring special educational provision’. Tomko (1996) defined inclusion in education as ‘ the act of attending regular education classes, with the supports and services needed to successfully achieve the individual’s IEP goals, while actively participating in activities as a member of the class who belongs’. The writer believes inclusion is a desired state to be achieved, that may or may not occur by simple placement alone. It is an ongoing process. I believe that unless a child has sense of identity with the class, and unless he or she has the supports and services needed and is reaching his or her IEP goals then inclusion has not been achieved. 2. 0 AREA CHOSEN The writer is currently working at School X, a school in Malaysia and she finds that an element of provision that possesses a barrier to the learning and participation of some students in the school is teaching assistant. The barrier that is faced by School X in connection with teaching assistant to support SEN students is teaching assistant in School X do not clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. Thus, will they to be able to play their roles and responsibilities towards SEN students? Besides that, teaching assistant in school X do not have the necessary knowledge and skills in identifying and handling with Special Educational Needs students. Thus, will the teaching assistant(TA) be able to handle emergency cases involving SEN students or will the TA cause a worse situation which may lead to the SEN student being injured or harmed. The writer chose teaching assistant as an element of provision that possesses a barrier to support SEN and Inclusive education in her school because she personally feels that teaching assistant plays a vital role in dealing with students with SEND. Groom, B. and R. Rose supports the researcher’s statement that a teacher assistant (TA) plays an important role in supporting pupils with SEN: The role of the TA has undergone something of a transformation from the time when classroom assistants were seen as ‘an extra pair of hands’ in the classroom to the present day where they are perceived to have a more professional role. (Groom, B. and R. Rose, 2005) 3. 0 RESEARCH The writer carried out a few informal interviews with the school staff and among the barriers listed to support SEN students in school X, she finds the barrier of a teacher assistant an interesting aspect to research on. The writer was a teacher assistant in school X for a year and she is keen to know how as a teacher assistant she could have assisted SEN students. Based on the writer’s observation and interview with the school staff, the writer found out that in school X there is no full-time teacher assistant in all reception and primary grades. A school with SEN students requires at least one assistant teacher in all the reception and primary classrooms. The writer personally feels that it is essential for all the reception and primary level classrooms to have a full – time teacher assistant because it may affect a SEN student if there is a frequent change in the teacher assistant of a classroom. A SEN student may need to adapt to a new TA each time there is a change in the TA of the classroom and this may affect a SEN Child’s learning behaviour and attitude in classroom. Thus, the writer strongly believes that in order to support SEN students, a full time teacher assistant is important. The teachingexpertise (no date) claims that teacher assistant ‘are often required to work with learners who have special educational needs, either individually or in small groups, and are used to help interpret the class material and ensure students stay focused during teaching sessions’ (teachingexpertise, no date). Thus, if there are no full-time TA in school X, then how is it possible for SEN students to have one to one assistants. Besides that, based on a few informal interviews with teacher assistant in school X, the researcher identified that teacher assistant in school X does not clearly understand their roles and responsibilities towards SEN students. Thus, how are the TA in school X able to support SEN students when they are not briefed and explained on their duties and responsibilities? TA in school X also does not know how to identify and assess students with SEN, including gifted, talented and slow learners. The writer questioned a few TA whether if there were able to exactly proof and identify a SEN student with no assumptions and the writer received a negative response for her question. TA’s in school X do not have the necessary knowledge and skills in handling with Special Educational Needs and Disability student. The TA’s in the school are neither receiving any special educational needs training so that they can augment the classroom teacher in inclusive education. In addition, TA’s are not provided with institutional support to become more effective in practising inclusive education. According to Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, teacher assistant will have some typical duties: †¢ Maintaining an up to date file on individual pupil(s) †¢ In high schools, ensuring that individual education plans (IEP’s) are circulated/brought to the attention of subject/form tutors †¢ Contributing to group/individual education plans from knowledge of the child’s/young person’s progress †¢ Helping to gain the child’s/young person’s view of the IEP †¢ Collating relevant information from any other assistants who work with that pupil †¢ Contributing to the Annual Review process. †¢ Attending the Annual Review meeting †¢ Involvement in target setting for the pupil in line with the aims of the IEP. (Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, 2004) TA’s in school X are not provided with any policy on their duties and responsibilities in supporting SEN students. Thus after much research, the writer feels that school X should have a policy on TA’s role in Supporting SEN and Disability. 4. 0 CONCLUSION School X provides the teacher trainees with continuous professional developments (CPD’s) training once a week. The topic discussed during CPD’s are usually on how to make a more effective IB environment classroom, teaching strategies and approaches and International Baccalaureate (IB) related topics. According to teaching expertise, ‘CPD is strategically focused and integrated with performance management and school improvement, to raise standards of teaching and learning’. Thus, it would be better if SEN and Inclusion is discussed during CPD’s, so that teacher assistant can become more effective in practising inclusive education. Besides that, TA’s should be equipped with the knowledge and skills in handling with Special Educational Needs and Disability students. A TA should be provided with sufficient guidance on how to identify students with SEND, including gifted, talented and slow learners. School X should take full responsibility of providing TA’s employed with sufficient knowledge on SEN and Inclusion before placing them in a classroom. School X should also employ full time teacher assistant not only for the creche and reception but also for the primary grades in order to support SEN students. The writer believes that if School X was to look into the aspect of teacher assistant and provides the entire teacher assistant with the training on SEN and Inclusion, TA would not be a barrier to the learning and participant of SEN students in the school. PART 2 TITLE Part 2 – Critical Reflection A critical reflection on the barrier(s) to learning and provision identified in Part 1. This should explore the strengths and weaknesses of a particular aspect of provision and an analysis of its implications for practice both at institutional and individual levels. This will be informed by literature (research, legislation, policy documentation) and your own evidence. 1. 0 INTRODUCTION The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001) published by the Department for Education states that ‘children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational needs provision to be made for them’. The writer strongly supports the statement as she personally feels a child should not be labeled as a Special Educational Need (SEN) student if he or she does not have a learning difficulty which a SEN term needs to be named for them. Teacher assistants (TA) are supporters of a class teacher or homeroom teacher who ‘works under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction’ (BLS, 2012). A TA plays several roles in an institution: †¢ Provide extra assistance to students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and mental disabilities. †¢ Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips. †¢ Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers. †¢ Enforce administration policies and rules governing students. †¢ Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts. †¢ Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage. †¢ Observe students performance, and record relevant data to assess progress. †¢ Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods. †¢ Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations. †¢ Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development (BLS, 2012) The writer agrees to the tasks of a teacher assistant as stated in (BLS, 2012), teacher assistant should be able to provide support and help to a student who is categorized as SEN. Thus, a school with SEN students will need teacher assistant in order to support the classroom teacher and the student. The writer is currently teaching Visual Arts for Grade 1 students and on her free periods she assists and observes Reception students at School X, a school in Malaysia. Based on the writer’s observation throughout her experience working in School X, she finds teaching assistant as an element of provision that possesses a barrier to the learning and participation of some students Teaching assistant is a barrier in school X because there are lack of teaching assistant to support SEN students. Teaching assistant who are present in school does not clearly understand the roles and responsibilities that they play for the school, teachers and students. Thus, teaching assistant in school X is unable to play their roles towards SEN students. In addition, teaching assistant in school X does not have the necessary skills and knowledge in identifying and handling SEN students. Thus, how are they going to be able to identify or classify a student as SEN student, gifted or talented student? A wrong assumption on a student can lead to a great impact on his education. The writer chose teaching assistant as the barrier lacking in school X to support SEN students because she is very much keen to know how she as a teaching assistant can support and assist SEN students. 2. 0 STRENGTHS OF HAVING TEACHER ASSISTANT IN SUPPORTING SEN LEARNERS The writer was a TA in school X for more than a year and based on her observation her beliefs that there are several strengths in having a teaching assistant to support SEN learners. First of all, a TA would be a great aid in one to one guidance for SEN learners. A homeroom teacher will not be able to handle a classroom with SEN students all alone without support from additional staff. A TA plays the role to help the homeroom teacher in handling a group of students in the classroom while the homeroom teacher will handle the rest of the students. SEN learners seek for a person whom they are comfortable with or could rely on to request or say a thing. A teacher will not remain in classroom for the whole schooling hours. An average of three to five teachers would enter a classroom per day. Thus, A TA will be the person that a SEN student would look forward for any help or assistance as a TA usually will spend more schooling hours with students compared to any teachers. Besides that, a teacher needs to have a detail observation of the steps or moves taken by a SEN student as every of their movement is meaningful. It is impossible for a teacher to observe and record all the SEN learners’ progress by themselves. Thus, A TA will be needed to support the teacher and also observe students. A TA observation will provide a teacher with additional feedback on a SEN student progress. It would seem to follow from reports of teachers that assigning support staff to particular pupils, usually those with problems of learning, behaviour or attention, would give the pupils more individual attention and help them develop confidence and motivation in their work, good working habits and the willingness to finish off tasks (Blatchford et al., 2009a). It is a sensible solution to have a teacher assistant in supporting SEN learners as the teacher can then attend to the rest of the class without interruption. This is a productive arrangement for teachers and seems also to be having a positive effect in terms of pupil engagement, classroom control, and measures of confidence, motivation, independence, and good relationships with other pupils (Blatchford et al. , 2009a). 3. 0 WEAKNESSES OF HAVING TEACHER ASSISTANT IN SUPPORTING SEN LEARNERS The writer belief’s that having a TA in the classroom does have its weaknesses too. The writer’s belief is supported by TeachingTimes (No Date) where it states that a new report from the Institute of Education proofed those students from primary and secondary level whom receives supports from teaching assistant, show less progress than a student of the similar ability. Finn, Gerber, Farber, and Achilles (2000), on the basis of data from the often –cited Tennessee STAR project, found that there was no compensatory effect of having extra staff in larger (‘regular’) classes, a result similar to that of Reynolds and Muijs (2003). Klassen (2001) found that students with SEN who were assigned additional support for literacy made less progress than their unsupported peers. Giangreco et al. , in a series of publications, have argued that overreliance on one-to-one paraprofessional supports leads to a wide range of detrimental effects on pupils (e. g. , Giangreco et al. , 2005) Schlapp et al. (2003) identify the benefits of classroom assistants more in terms of the range of learning experiences provided and effects on pupil motivation, confidence and self esteem, and found less effect on pupil progress. On the other hand there is a well established concern that TAs can encourage dependency, e. g. , because they prioritise outcomes of activities rather than encouraging pupils to think for themselves (Moyles and Sushitsky, 1997). There are also concerns that support staff can have negative effects on pupils’ learning identity, e. g. , in terms of interference with ownership and responsibility, separation from classmates (Giangreco et al. , 1997).  ofsted (2004) suggest that TAs may be less likely to stress understanding and skills and ‘This was common reason why a significant number of pupils with SEN made too little progress, despite good teaching to the majority of the class (2004, p16). 4. 0 IMPLICATION OF HAVING TEACHING ASSISTANT AT INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL A TA does not only guide and assist SEN students in classroom or a teacher in reducing her workload, a TA also needs to play his or her roles and responsibilities towards the school. There are many tasks that a TA can play in an institute in order to aid the school staffs and support the development of the school. On the other hand, the school should also clearly understand the roles and responsibilities that a TA can play in the school and not overload them with additional task where it results in a TA being unable to accomplish his or her task as a teaching assistant in the classroom. One of the tasks that a TA can do at institutional level is to help the school staffs in decorating and creating an environment in connection to an upcoming event or festival. The writer as a TA has supported the school by decorating the school for festival such as Chinese New Year and Deepavali. The writer has also decorated the school for an environment of Celebration of Learning (COL). COL in school X means a celebration where its students oriented as parents are invited to view and observe students work and progress. The writer has decorated the school for exhibition purposes too where parents and invited guest are welcomed to the school. Besides that, the writer as a TA has helped the school in making events a successful one. The writer has come to school after working hours for special occasions in order to ensure the task allocated to her is completed. Duties which she has done as a school staff in school X are gate duty and ushering parents to specified allocations on Parent’s Day. 5. 0 IMPLICATION OF HAVING TEACHING ASSISTANT AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL The impact of having a teacher assistant at individual level is countless. There are good and bad of having a teacher assistant to support SEN learners. The good impact of having a teacher assistant at individual level is a SEN learner will be able to receive one to one attention and guidance from teaching assistant. Thus, an individual will be able to progress at a faster rate and catch up to the pace of rest of the students in the classroom in a shorter period. The writer was assisting for a year in Grade 1 and based on her personal observation and some research, she and her homeroom teacher identified a SEN learner in the classroom. They did not label the child or exclude the child from participating in several activities conducted in the classroom as they did not want to classify the child into any terms. The writer and the homeroom teacher believed that if they were to provide the child with additional guidance and support, they child would surely show progress and improvement. Additional guidance and support was provided by the writer as the homeroom teacher handled the rest of the students. The writer assisted the student by breaking down task given by the teachers into smaller instruction and instructing the child using a simple terms including more of body language for the student to understand the instruction. The writer and the homeroom teacher succeeded in their hard work of making the student to progress as towards the end of the term, the child showed improvement in communication skills and writing skills. On the other hand, a teaching assistant can be harmful to a SEN learner if there are not filled with the essential knowledge and skills in identifying, assisting and guiding a SEN learner. Thus, to place a teaching assistant with insufficient knowledge on SEN would affect the academic progress and development of a SEN learner. 6. 0 CONCLUSION. In a nutshell, teaching assistant has many roles and responsibilities to be played not only at individual level but also at institutional level. A teaching assistant should clearly understand their roles and responsibilities before playing their roles as a misunderstanding in their task would create a great impact to the school and also students. The writer feels that in supporting and assisting SEN learners, a teaching assistant’s main aim is to assist the SEN learner with the objective and aim of showing and proving a progressive development of a SEN learner and not focusing on the completion of task. The writer as an individual who has experienced being a teaching assistant personally and strongly beliefs that a TA should not be misused and given additional task which results in TA being unable to fully do his or her roles and responsibilities towards the students. A TA’s main focus should be towards assisting students and not school work. The writer beliefs that if a TA is provided with all the necessary knowledge and skills n identifying SEN learners, a TA would be a great help in supporting, assisting and guiding SEN students towards the right path. BIBILIOGRAPHY A ND REFERENCING. Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, (2004) The role of the Assistant, Available at: http://www. wakefield. gov. uk/NR/rdonlyres/D391ED9E-2BE4-4CC5-829F-953C07157DFB/0/Adults_Supporting, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Blatchford, P. , Bassett, P. , Brown, P. , et al. (2009a) The impact of support staff in schools, Deployment and Impact of Support Staff (DISS) Project. (Strand 2 Wave 2), DCSF Research Report 148 (London, Department for Children, Schools and Families), Available at: http://www. ioe. ac. uk/DISS_Strand_2_Wave_2_Report. pdf, (accessed: 29/10/12) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, (2012) Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Teacher Assistants, Available at: http://www. bls. gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/teacher-assistants. htm, (accessed: 29/10/12) Department for Education and Skills, (2001) Special Educational Needs: Code of Practice, DfES0581, London: DfES Publications, Available at: https://www. education. gov. uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DfES%200581%202001#downloadableparts, (accessed 29/10/12) Education Act 1996, Chapter 56, (1996) London: HMSO, Available at: http://planipolis. iiep. unesco. org/upload/Malaysia/Malaysia_Education_Act_1996. pdf, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Finn,J. D. , Gerber, S. B. , Farber, S. L. Achilles, C. M. (2000) Teacher aides: an alternative to small classes? in: M. C. Wang J. D. Finn (Eds) How small classes help teachers do their best (Philadelphia, PA, Temple University Center for Research in Human Development), Available at:: http://psycnet. apa. org/journals/edu/97/3/454/, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Giangreco, M. F. , Edelman, S. , Luiselli, T. E. MacFarland, S. Z. C. (1997) Helping or hovering? Effects of instructional assistant proximity on students with disabilities, Exceptional Children, 64, pp. 7-18, Available at: maureenmcquiggan. com/files/Helping_or_Hovering. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Giangreco, M. F. , Yuan, S. , Mackenzie, B. , Cameron, B. Fialka, J. (2005) ‘Be careful want you wish for ’ Five reasons to be concerned about the assignment of individual paraprofessionals, Exceptional Children, 37(5), pp 28-34, Available at: http://www. uvm. edu/~cdci/parasupport/reviews/giangreco37-5. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Groom, B. and R. Rose, (2005), ‘Supporting the inclusion of pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in the primary school: the role of teaching assistants’, in Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 5, (1) pp. 20–30, Available at: http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1111/j. 1471-3802. 2005. 00035. x/full, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Gulliford, R. G. Upton, (ed. ) (1992) Special Educational Needs, London: Routledge, Available at: http://books. google. com. my/books? id=InjfpvVYbSECpg=PA218lpg=PP1ots=OrRgxw8lBddq=special+educational+needs, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Klassen, R. (2001). After the statement: Reading progress made by secondary students with specific literacy difficulty provision, Educational Psychology in Practice, 17(2), pp121 – 133, Available at: http://www. schoolsupportstaff. net/publications/otherpubs/aera_paper. pdf , (accessed: 30/10/2012) Moyles, J. Suschitzky, W. (1997) The employment and deployment of classroom support staff: head teachers’ perspectives, Research in Education, 58, pp21-34, Available at: http://www. uwl. ac. uk/files/instil/SoTL%20Abstracts%202010. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Office for Standards in Education (2004) Remodelling the school workforce: Phase 1 (London, Office for Standards in Education), Available at: www. ofsted. gov. uk/resources/remodelling-school-workforce-phase-, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Reynolds, D. Muijs, D. (2003) The Effectiveness of the use of learning support assistants in improving the mathematics achievement of low achieving pupils in primary school, Educational Research, 45(3), pp219-230, Available at:: http://www. fisme. science. uu. nl/staff/christianb/downloads/p1-11759185. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Schlapp, U. , Davidson, J. Wilson, V. (2003) An ‘extra pair of hands’?! managing classroom assistants in Scottish primary schools, Educational Management and Administration, 31(2), pp189-205, Available at: www. edupa. uva. es/schemesofwork/research/themes/teaching_assistants/WedFeb181416312004/wordfile. doc, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Teachingexpertise, (no date) An introduction to CPD, Available at: http://www. teachingexpertise. com/articles/cpd-teaching-profession_252, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Teachingexpertise, (no date) Meeting the needs of SEN students, Available at: http://www. teachingexpertise. com/articles/meeting-the-needs-of-sen-students-1907, (accessed: 03/10/2012) TeachingTimes, (no date) Pupils Using Teaching Assistants Make Less Progress, Available at: http://www. teachingtimes. com/articles/teaching-assistants-less-progress. htm,

What Is the Point of the House of Lords?

What Is the Point of the House of Lords? The House of Lords is a fundamental part of the UKs bicameral legislative system, being an appropriate check and balance to the House of Commons in legislative matters. However, this has been brought into question after the Recent Welfare Reform Bill. This essay aims to examine ‘what is the point in the House of Lords?’ It will first look into its history, then its role in Parliament and how it has changed over time. It will focus on the welfare reform bill and the ban on hunting with hounds as its main examples. The House of Lords are also called the Upper Chamber and are a part of the legislature. Legislature is the part of government that discuss and pass laws (Jones, 2010). It is made up of the Commons, Lords and the Queen, only the Commons are elected. The executive is the party in power and is responsible for implementing the laws and policies made by legislature (Jones, 2010). The Houses of Parliament are divided up into two parts, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords is one of the two chambers of HM Parliament. The House of Lords is the second chamber of Parliament and is also called the Upper House (Jones, 2010). The House of Lords is separate to but works alongside the elected House of Commons. The House of Lords are made up of inherited Lords and Life peers. Modern Lords are appointed by the PM. The appointed peers tend to have a specialist area of knowledge, for example health or education. The House of Commons is made up of elected members (Budge, 2004). The House of Lords has 736 members, 86 more than the House of Commons. There are only 92 hereditary Lords left after they were thrown out by the Labour Government in 1999 as it was deemed undemocratic (Knight 2010). The first part of the House of Lords is the remaining hereditary members, the second part are appointed by the Prime Minister and they are given their titles, for example ‘Lady Margaret Thatcher’ so as she was given the title by the Prime Minister who took over from her she had a seat in the House of Lords. The third part is made up of the court system and the church and people in positions of expertise (Monroe, 2002). Before taking a seat in The House of Lords the peer has to swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch (Jones, 2010). The House of Lords is a combination of tradition and modern legislature (Monroe, 2002) Laws are only made if the Commons, Lords and the Monarch can agree. An unwritten constitution (a convention), states that the Monarch has always got to agree to new laws made by Parliament. The Lords can also only suggest amendments too legislation but does not actually have the power to make the changes, meaning the Commons hold the power (Budge, 2004). The legislative process starts with the draft papers, white and green papers. They are published to allow consultation from interested parties such as professional bodies and voluntary organisations before the bill is introduced into the House of Commons (Jones, 2010). They have their first reading in which it is just read out and then a second reading where there is a debate and a vote to move on to the committee stage which is pre-legislative scrutiny where the draft bill is considered by a departmental select committee this allows the MPs and members of Lords to have an early influence on the Bill (Jones, 2010). In the committee s tage they vote for amendments and send it to the report stage. In the report stage they discuss the amendments; they then go to the Third reading which in the House of Lords. The key purpose of The House of Lords is voting on whether to accept or reject legislation drawn up by The House of Commons (Jones, 2010). Suggesting amendments to legislation drawn up by The House of Commons and debating legislation drawn up by the House of Commons, they can also introduce new laws to be debated. Although the important laws start the legislative process with the Commons, the House of Lords do draw up some legislation, for example ensuring children with special needs and disabilities have access to mainstream education or protecting the right to legal aid in welfare cases and insisting on equality of the NHS treatment for physical and mental illness (www.parliament.uk). Members spend nearly half their time in the House considering draft laws. All bills have to be considered by both Houses of Parliament before they can become law (Jones, 2010). The House of Commons send legislation to the House of Lords, in the form of the white paper, but the 1911 Act has taken away the ability for The House of Lords to stop legislation sent down by The House of Commons. This started when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lloyd George, suggested in 1909 the introduction of the first old age pension and a majority of the Lords voted against (Knight, 2010). The main purposes of the Act was 1) The House of Lords can only delay a money bill for one month, and 2) Limiting the time the Lords can delay a bill, meaning if it was rejected three times the Bill could receive Royal Assent without approval from The House of Lords (Gillespie, 2013.) This has only been used four times in the last twenty five years. One of these was to pass The Parliament Act of 1949 which was an amendment of the 1911 Act making it so the Lords could only reject the bill two times rather than three before it could be passed with Royal Assent (Gillespie, 2013). These Acts t ook a lot of power away from the Lords. The current PM is allegedly preparing to use the Parliament Act for the first time in ten years to push through the EU Referendum Bill into Law before the next election (Holehouse, 2014). â€Å"The Act is sometimes described as the nuclear option of parliamentary to break stalemates between the Commons and the Lords† (Holehouse, 2014). An MP was quoted saying â€Å"It shows that they really, really want it to happen. It also shows the Lords that they can’t mess with it†. Although the Lords have been stripped of a lot of their power, there are advantages to the Lords. There can be a lot more individual expression in the House of Lords (Knight, 2010). Many of its members have a lot of experience in different areas of life; with this experience making an important contribution to the progress of legislation and serves to caution the government of the day (Jones, 2010). The House of Lords are also responsible for holding government to account. Members in the Upper Chamber scrutinise the work of the government during question time and debates in the chamber. â€Å"In the 2012-13 session, members held the government to account with 7,324 oral and written questions and 193 debates on issues ranging from child poverty to immigration† (www.parliament.uk). The Lords can also moderate the Commons using their expertise and making sure nothing too radical is put through (www.parliament.uk). Peers have less to lose, being free thinkers. If an MP was to go against their party leader then they could be ignored when looking for a job although some do still have party affiliation and will vote on side of their party (Knight, 2010). Some people however, would argue that having the House of Lords is healthy for our system as it means it isn’t led by political machines with party agendas (Knight, 2010). ‘Ping ponging’ is the toing and froing of amendments to Bills between the House of Commons and the House of Lords. A good example of this is The Hunting with Hounds Act which experienced seven years of ‘ping ponging’ between the two houses. Three private members Bills were introduced by Labour MPs between 1992 and 1995 to ban hunting with no success (Garnett, 2007). However, in a 1997 manifesto Labour offered a free vote on the subject. In 1998 the Bill got its second reading in the Commons and was ‘talked out’ by the third reading (Garnett, 2007). In 2000 a new bill was proposed with a compromise of hunting with a licence, this was rejected by the commons and thrown out by the Lords. The Bill had been introduced too late to meet the terms of the Parliament Act of 1949. After Blair was re-elected in 2001 the ‘ping pong’ effect still continued, with the Commons passing a new Bill and the Lords rejecting it, until 2004 when the conditions of the Parliament Act 1949 had been met and the Bill was given Royal Assent (Garnett, 2007). The House of Lords Reform draft bill was introduced in 2011. The Reform wants to outline the powers and responsibility of the relationships between the two houses. This would define the point of ‘financial privilege’. This could be hard to reach an agreement on when it could be rejected and what kind of amendments the House of Lords could make before they were ‘wrecking amendments’ and what circumstances the Lords would be able to reject secondary legislation (draft house of lords reform bill: report session 2010-12, Vol. 1: Report). Originally ‘Financial Privilege’ was seen as something dealing with Bills dealing with supply and taxation. However in the recent reform bill it was used to reject a lot of the amendments by the Lords and to prevent the bill ‘ping ponging’. The financial implications were seen as big enough by the Speaker to grant financial privilege (Crampton, 2012). Financial privilege is being used a lot more reducing the effect of the Lords scrutiny. Despite the fact the House of Lords do not appear to hold much in the way of power, the House are specialists in different fields offering expertise advice. Also, peers do not have a party agenda and therefore pose employability risk in going against their party. This is useful as these limitations can prevent any radical changes in law. But without any power to have their amendments noted there is really no point in the House of Lords if they can be over ruled completely. Budge etal (2004). The New British Politics. 3rd ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Crampton, C. (2012). Whats the point in the house of Lords?. Available: www.totalpolitics.com/blog/293317/whats-the-pont-of-the-house-of-lords.thtml. Last accessed 6th Jan 2014 Egawhary E. (2010). What is the new face of the house of commons. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8672770.stm . Last accessed 6th Jan 2014. Garnett M (2007). Exploring British Poitics. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Gillepie A (2013). The English Legal System. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Jones etal (2010). Politics Uk. 7th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Knight, J (2010). British Politics for Dummies. West Sussex: John Wiley and sons Peele G (1995). Governing the UK. 3rd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd. What the Lords does. Available: http://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/work-of-the-house-of-lords/what-the-lords-does/. Last accessed 6th Jan 2014. Munroe, T (2002). An Intoduction to Politics, Lectures for first year students. 3rd ed. Mona Kingston 7, Jamaica: Canoe Press. Holehouse, M. (2014). David Cameron prepares nuclear option on EU referendum. Available: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/10526825/Cameron-prepares-nuclear-option-on-EU-referendum.html. Last accessed 6th Jan 2014 Draft house of lords reform bill: report session 2010-12, Vol. 1: Report . Y8158485