Trapped in Mediocrity

Trapped in Mediocrity PDF Author: Katherine Baird
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
ISBN: 1442215496
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 255

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Book Description
Our students aren’t learning, we’re falling behind other countries, and many of our college graduates are even functionally illiterate. We offer our kids a weak and poorly thought out curriculum; too many teachers do not make good use of classroom time and follow lesson plans that are superficial and repetitive; almost all state governments define “proficiency” at low levels of competency; and because kids with very uneven skills populate a classroom, teachers spend considerable time on review before introducing new material. This dismal picture is tempered by the fact that the hard work and dedication of countless teachers and administrators means that many students get an excellent education. But it doesn’t temper it much. As a group, even our top students are not as strong as are those in a large majority of other rich countries. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Katherine Baird, an economist, starts by clearly spelling out how our educational system is trapped in mediocrity. Yet, she doesn’t just expose where we are. She identifies the steps to get out of the trap. We need to (1) dramatically reform our education’s governance structure, (2) establish high expectations for all students, (3) provide adequate support to meet those expectations, and (4) introduce strong incentives for students to work hard in school so they do their part in meeting higher standards. Clearly, it isn’t as simple as it sounds, but Baird carefully examines each factor that has led to the current state in education and then spells out how a combination of policies will weaken the forces that keep our schools mediocre and instead make them ones worth copying

Trapped in Mediocrity

Trapped in Mediocrity PDF Author: Katherine Baird
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
ISBN: 1442215496
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 255

Get Book Here

Book Description
Our students aren’t learning, we’re falling behind other countries, and many of our college graduates are even functionally illiterate. We offer our kids a weak and poorly thought out curriculum; too many teachers do not make good use of classroom time and follow lesson plans that are superficial and repetitive; almost all state governments define “proficiency” at low levels of competency; and because kids with very uneven skills populate a classroom, teachers spend considerable time on review before introducing new material. This dismal picture is tempered by the fact that the hard work and dedication of countless teachers and administrators means that many students get an excellent education. But it doesn’t temper it much. As a group, even our top students are not as strong as are those in a large majority of other rich countries. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Katherine Baird, an economist, starts by clearly spelling out how our educational system is trapped in mediocrity. Yet, she doesn’t just expose where we are. She identifies the steps to get out of the trap. We need to (1) dramatically reform our education’s governance structure, (2) establish high expectations for all students, (3) provide adequate support to meet those expectations, and (4) introduce strong incentives for students to work hard in school so they do their part in meeting higher standards. Clearly, it isn’t as simple as it sounds, but Baird carefully examines each factor that has led to the current state in education and then spells out how a combination of policies will weaken the forces that keep our schools mediocre and instead make them ones worth copying

The Meritocracy Trap

The Meritocracy Trap PDF Author: Daniel Markovits
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0735222010
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 450

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Book Description
A revolutionary new argument from eminent Yale Law professor Daniel Markovits attacking the false promise of meritocracy It is an axiom of American life that advantage should be earned through ability and effort. Even as the country divides itself at every turn, the meritocratic ideal – that social and economic rewards should follow achievement rather than breeding – reigns supreme. Both Democrats and Republicans insistently repeat meritocratic notions. Meritocracy cuts to the heart of who we are. It sustains the American dream. But what if, both up and down the social ladder, meritocracy is a sham? Today, meritocracy has become exactly what it was conceived to resist: a mechanism for the concentration and dynastic transmission of wealth and privilege across generations. Upward mobility has become a fantasy, and the embattled middle classes are now more likely to sink into the working poor than to rise into the professional elite. At the same time, meritocracy now ensnares even those who manage to claw their way to the top, requiring rich adults to work with crushing intensity, exploiting their expensive educations in order to extract a return. All this is not the result of deviations or retreats from meritocracy but rather stems directly from meritocracy’s successes. This is the radical argument that Daniel Markovits prosecutes with rare force. Markovits is well placed to expose the sham of meritocracy. Having spent his life at elite universities, he knows from the inside the corrosive system we are trapped within. Markovits also knows that, if we understand that meritocratic inequality produces near-universal harm, we can cure it. When The Meritocracy Trap reveals the inner workings of the meritocratic machine, it also illuminates the first steps outward, towards a new world that might once again afford dignity and prosperity to the American people.

A New Beginning

A New Beginning PDF Author: Brian Henderson
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1984558978
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 167

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Book Description
no available information at this time. author will provide once available.

Good Enough

Good Enough PDF Author: Daniel S. Milo
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674504623
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
In this spirited and irreverent critique of Darwin’s long hold over our imagination, a distinguished philosopher of science makes the case that, in culture as well as nature, not only the fittest survive: the world is full of the “good enough” that persist too. Why is the genome of a salamander forty times larger than that of a human? Why does the avocado tree produce a million flowers and only a hundred fruits? Why, in short, is there so much waste in nature? In this lively and wide-ranging meditation on the curious accidents and unexpected detours on the path of life, Daniel Milo argues that we ask these questions because we’ve embraced a faulty conception of how evolution—and human society—really works. Good Enough offers a vigorous critique of the quasi-monopoly that Darwin’s concept of natural selection has on our idea of the natural world. Darwinism excels in accounting for the evolution of traits, but it does not explain their excess in size and number. Many traits far exceed the optimal configuration to do the job, and yet the maintenance of this extra baggage does not prevent species from thriving for millions of years. Milo aims to give the messy side of nature its due—to stand up for the wasteful and inefficient organisms that nevertheless survive and multiply. But he does not stop at the border between evolutionary theory and its social consequences. He argues provocatively that the theory of evolution through natural selection has acquired the trappings of an ethical system. Optimization, competitiveness, and innovation have become the watchwords of Western societies, yet their role in human lives—as in the rest of nature—is dangerously overrated. Imperfection is not just good enough: it may at times be essential to survival.

What Extraordinary People Know

What Extraordinary People Know PDF Author: Anthony Moore
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1728209331
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 62

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Book Description
What's the secret to "extraordinary?" Being stuck in mediocrity sucks. It's easy to identify the symptoms of this disease in your life: are you chronically bored? Do you wake up knowing today is going to suck? Are you constantly fighting off feelings of emptiness, exhaustion, and knowing you're wasting your life? Well, eff that! Every moment of every day, you can choose to be extraordinary. You can choose to become someone you're incredibly proud to be, who accomplishes amazing goals and achieves greatness. What Extraordinary People Know guides you through how to be free of the mediocrity trap: starting with the inspiration, tools, and kick in the ass you need to get your life going in high gear—from behavioral change and personal growth expert Anthony Moore. As someone who took his own life from ordinary to extraordinary, Moore has created a three-step path to breaking free of Mediocrity and becoming the hero of your own life. Are you ready to win?

Closing Time

Closing Time PDF Author: Lacey Fosburgh
Publisher: Open Road Media
ISBN: 1504038541
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
The real story behind the murder of a Manhattan schoolteacher that became a symbol of the dangers of casual sex: “A first-rate achievement” (Truman Capote). In 1973, Roseann Quinn, an Irish-Catholic teacher at a school for deaf children, was killed in New York City after bringing a man home to her apartment from an Upper West Side pub. The crime made headlines and the ensuing case quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon, spawning both a #1 New York Times–bestselling novel and a film adaptation starring Diane Keaton and Richard Gere, and sparking debates about the sexual revolution and the perils of the “pickup scene” at what were popularly known as singles bars. In this groundbreaking true crime tale, Lacey Fosburgh, the New York Times reporter first assigned to the story, utilizes an inventive dramatization technique, in which she gives the victim a different name, to veer between the chilling, suspenseful personal interactions leading up to the brutal stabbing and the gritty details of its aftermath, including the NYPD investigation and the arrest of John Wayne Wilson. An Edgar Award finalist for Best Fact Crime, this classic of the genre is “more riveting, and more tragic, than the Judith Rossner novel—and 1977 movie Looking for Mr. Goodbar” (Men’s Journal).

How to Stop Holding Back and Embrace Life with Confidence: Break Free from Self-Doubt and Step Into Your True Power

How to Stop Holding Back and Embrace Life with Confidence: Break Free from Self-Doubt and Step Into Your True Power PDF Author: Ranjot Singh Chahal
Publisher: Inkwell Press
ISBN:
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description
Are you tired of letting self-doubt hold you back from the life you truly desire? Do you find yourself hesitating to pursue your dreams, fearing what others might think or worrying about failure? It's time to break free from the chains of uncertainty and step boldly into your true power! In How to Stop Holding Back and Embrace Life with Confidence, you will embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. This book offers practical strategies and actionable steps to help you overcome the obstacles that have kept you from living your best life. Inside, you will learn to: Identify and Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Uncover the fears and negative thoughts that have been sabotaging your potential and replace them with empowering beliefs. Cultivate a Confident Mindset: Develop the mental tools to shift your perspective, embrace vulnerability, and build resilience in the face of challenges. Embrace Authenticity: Discover the power of being true to yourself and how authenticity can unlock opportunities and foster deeper connections. Take Bold Action: Implement practical techniques to help you step out of your comfort zone and take meaningful steps toward your goals. Foster a Supportive Environment: Surround yourself with uplifting influences that inspire and motivate you to keep pushing forward. Whether you're looking to advance your career, improve relationships, or pursue a passion, this book will empower you to silence the inner critic and ignite the fearless spirit within you. Join the countless individuals who have transformed their lives by embracing their greatness. It’s time to stop holding back—take the leap and start living with confidence today!

Blessed in the Darkness

Blessed in the Darkness PDF Author: Joel Osteen
Publisher: FaithWords
ISBN: 1455534315
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 219

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Book Description
Find comfort in dark times and grow your trust and faith in God with this inspiring and insightful guide from Lakewood Church pastor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen. All of us will go through dark times that we don't understand: a difficulty with a friend, an unfair situation at work, a financial setback, an unexpected illness, a divorce, or the loss of a loved one. Those types of experiences are part of the human journey. But when we find ourselves in such a place, it's important that we keep a positive perspective. Joel Osteen writes that if we stay in faith and keep a good attitude when we go through challenges, we will not only grow, but we will see how all things work together for our good. Through practical applications and scriptural insight, Blessed in the Darkness focuses on how to draw closer to God and trust Him when life doesn't make sense. If we will go through the dark place in the valley trusting, believing, and knowing that God is still in control, we will come to the table that is already prepared for us, where our cup runs over.

Credibility Matters

Credibility Matters PDF Author: Martin Kuscus
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 1664241442
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
DO YOU WANT TO LIVE A LIFE OF SIGNIFICANCE? Martin Kuscus emerged as one of the rare breed of credible leaders that shaped the South African democratic landscape. In his searing memoir Credibility Matters, we are exposed to a journey of very humble beginnings, the volatility of youth and how powerful defining moments led to a life of significance. Remarkably, he exited the public sector scandal and skeleton free. Martin had the privilege to be invited to sit at the table with luminaries like President Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. He graced venues like the United Nations, New York Stock Exchange and the commanding heights of power and influence locally and internationally. It is absolutely astounding how Martin remains anchored in humility, unquestionable integrity and continues to exemplify servant leadership. The world is facing a crisis and that is a crisis of credible leadership. Our leaders on the broader spectrum of society are no more trusted, believed or respected. The central message of Credibility Matters is to challenge and encourage the reader to live life with the highest degree of credibility in a world where compromise reigns supreme. It offers practical tools on becoming a trusted and respected voice that shapes the thinking, behavior and values of our world for the better. The post-pandemic world yearns for a fresh breed of credible leaders that can bring about a dispensation that is more humane, inclusive and give people a greater sense of meaning. Will you answer the call?

The Art of Non-Conformity

The Art of Non-Conformity PDF Author: Chris Guillebeau
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0399536108
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
If you've ever thought, "There must be more to life than this," The Art of Non-Conformity is for you. Based on Chris Guillebeau's popular online manifesto "A Brief Guide to World Domination," The Art of Non-Conformity defies common assumptions about life and work while arming you with the tools to live differently. You'll discover how to live on your own terms by exploring creative self-employment, radical goal-setting, contrarian travel, and embracing life as a constant adventure. Inspired and guided by Chris's own story and those of others who have pursued unconventional lives, you can devise your own plan for world domination-and make the world a better place at the same time.