The History of Winter Olympic Games Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The History of Winter Olympic Games - Term Paper Example The Winter Olympic Games were disrupted by both World War 1 and World War 2. Other than the games being completely canceled because of the war and the plans being suspended, there were strained relations after the war between the nations that had been at war and their allies (Wickenheiser, 2009). The Olympic Games were feared to be held in some nations such as the Soviet Union after the war for fear of reaction of the enemies of the Soviet Union. The Worlds Wars also led to world depression and hence after the wars, few nations were able to participate in the next winter Olympic Games as the rest lacked expense money. The participants even from the nations that attended were few. Doping has been a headache to the organizers of this particular sport as with many other sports. The measures taken since 1967 have been to perform random drug tests on the participants and banning those found with positive results. The most common doping drugs are the performance enhancers. The other controversy that has rocked these games is the bribing of the planning committee officials with expensive gifts in order for their countries to be selected to host the games. The most controversial and which saw 10 officials sent packing is the 2002 Salt Lake City, USA Olympics (Gerlach, 2004). Politics have always been a silent but present issue in these winter Olympic Games. Most nations still have cold war amongst themselves and they push them in the games. Some nations use the winter Olympic Games as an opportunity to show off to the nations and those which have been successful in the number of medals use this as a way to express their powers such as the US. The nations that have always had a grudge against each other go to the extent of skipping the winter games when they take place in the enemy country. Even though the politics are silent and not expressed openly, it still affects the sole purpose of the games

Wireless Security Best Practices Guide for Business Essay

Wireless Security Best Practices Guide for Business - Essay Example Every company in today’s world is run on wireless network technology. Local Area Networks, generally called LANs, are privately-owned networks within a single building or campus of up to a few kilometers in size. They are widely used to connect personal computers and workstations in company offices and factories to share resources and exchange information. Deploying wireless LAN or wireless network is something like a pilot without instructions to fly an aircraft. One will probably get off the ground; the next thing is probably a matter of chance, someone is likely to get hurt. As it is defined in RFC 2196, the IETS’s site Security Handbook, a security policy is a formal set of rules through which people who are given access to organization’s technology and information assets must abide to. There are many kinds of security policies such as Password Policies, Remote Access Policies, Mobile Device Policies, Vulnerability Assessment Policies, Acceptable Use policies and Wireless Communication Policies. The assets protected by each one of the policies are different but, they all share common agenda. The security policy has the following important specifications to follow for the best benefit. Devices such as notebooks, handhelds, portables, personal digital assistants, smart phones, etc. which are issued by the Information Technology Department should be permitted to get access to the company internal network through wireless technology. Devices should be checked to have pre-configured with necessary operating system and security software which provides an encrypted tunnel (virtual private network) for network traffic; encrypts device hard drives; screens and removes virus and other malware; supports extended user authentication dialog; supports remote file backups; updates software when the software resident on the device is out of date; prevents

Human Performance Technology Model Essay Example for Free

Human Performance Technology Model Essay The journal I had chosen is â€Å"Minding the gap , identifying performances issues using the Human Performances Technology model (HPT) . † The purpose of this journal is to main a useful model for identifying and addressing employee performance issues in academic libraries , specifically in a Learning Commons . As we know , assessing and improving employee performance , especially library services are always challenging . However , HPT provides methods for evaluating human performances , such as the performance of employees at a service point , and , and provides method in fixing problems that are identified . Most of the time , training is always assumed solution for many performances issues , but HPT suggests that the training is not always the answer and provides a variety of the other solutions referred to intervention . The HPT model created by the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI , 2010 a ) was used to evaluate employee performance at the service point in a newly created Learning Commons . Various interventions are also discussed the address performances issues in libraries. The HPT model may help librarians create measurable performance indicators which can be used to set standard of performances for employees. This model is useful for a combination of student workers, paraprofessionals and librarians. The HPT model comes from field of HPT , which is the combination of education , psychology and business . So , HPT is the process of identifying and analyzing the gap between current performances ( where one is ) and ideal performance ( where one wants to be ) using various tools such as models . Closing the gap can be done through a recommend solution called an intervention. â€Å"Intervention† in HPT refers to a course of action taken to improve performance . Each stage of the HPT process helps one understand the behaviors of people in an organization and of the organization as a whole . HPT aims to analyze observable behaviour both individually and collectively. HPT ensures a through of a variety of areas within an organization in order to understand the performance gap. An analysis of values, norms, culture, structure, performance, and environment is recommended . Through an organization analysis , environmental analysis , gap analysis , can cause those who using HPT analysis determine the performance problem or opportunity . Without careful analysis , inappropriate intervention could be implemented . Intervention should be long term , evolutionary and progressive. Learning Commons in Randall Library at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW ) was using HPT model to evaluate employee performance. The Learning Commons provides a variety of hardware and software, a centralized service point is included in the middle of the Learning Commons. This service point staffed by librarians who are full time faculty members at UNCW and university’s Technology Assistance Center (TAC) student assistant who are hired to work part time at multiple service points , including the Learning Commons service point , in Randall Library . The primary user group of the Learning Commons is UNCW students . The learning Commons applied HPT after three months opens . The performances issues identified after three months after opening . While some performance issues may ‘work themselves out ‘ overtime , if using the HPT model early in the operation can identify the problems immediately and prevents the problems . Application of the model can helps to identify the root of the causes and helps pinpoint appropriate solution for those issues. An assumption that training is always the appropriate solution for all performances problems can be corrected using HPT . As noted in the HPT model , there are several phases of analysis which are performance analysis , organizational analysis , environmental analysis , gap analysis and cause analysis . A â€Å"cause analysis† follows the performance analysis helps to identify a â€Å"lack of environmental support† or a â€Å"lack of repertory behaviour†. â€Å"Intervention selection ,design , and development† follow all analysis phases . That is because after identify all the gaps or problems , then only can select the appropriate intervention to fix the problem . Main Body and Discussion Human Performance Technology (HPT ) is a systematic approach to improving productivity and competence , it is a strategy for solving problems and for realizing opportunities related to the performance of people . It uses a wide range of intervention to improve individual and organizational performance . There are three fundamental processes to go through . There are performance analysis ,cause analysis and intervention selection . It can be applied to individuals , small groups ,and large organizations . Without identified the causes of the issues , the appropriate intervention impossible to created . Learning Commons in Randall Library at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) was using HPT model to evaluate employee performance at the service point . First stage of the HPT model calls performance analysis . The â€Å"performance analysis† is to determine if a performance problem exists . A performance analysis includes an organizational analysis , an environmental analysis ,and a gap analysis . The first step in the performance analysis , the organizational analysis , calls for an examination of an organization ‘s vision , mission , values ,goals and strategies . It is important to define the boundaries of the organization before performing this phase in the model . It is useful to examine all departments or offices that closely related to the specific area under examination. The next component of HPT model is environmental analysis . The environmental analysis examines four important factors which are organizational environment, work environment, work, and the worker. In the HPT model, the â€Å"Work Environment† refers to the â€Å"resources, tools, human resources, and policies† of an organization, or in this case, of the Learning Commons. â€Å"Work† is described as â€Å"work flow, procedure, responsibilities, and ergonomics†. â€Å"Worker† refers to the â€Å"knowledge , skill , motivation , expectation and capacity† of an individual . The â€Å"Gap analysis† requires an examination of the actual performance versus the optimal , or desired performance . The information collected through the organizational and environmental analysis . The HPT model shows that the gap falls between the â€Å"Desired workforce performance† and the â€Å"Actual state of workforce performance†. It is important to identify the gaps , then analyze the causes of those gap happens. In Learning Commons , there has a temporary service desk was constructed , new furniture was not yet installed and a formal staff training program was not yet implemented . The performances of Learning Commons service was not optimal and causes a â€Å"gap† between optimal and desired performances . Next is causes analysis . As the HPT model suggests , after the performances gap was identified ,the â€Å"cause analysis† should be completed . The cause analysis can determine why the performance gap exists . Once a cause is identified, one or more interventions can be selected that will be able to close the performance gap . There are some causes for the performances issues . First , data , information and feedback . Initial training and communication of clear roles , responsibilities and expectations were not provided when the Learning Commons initially opened . Second , environment support , resources and tools . Detailed in Learning Commons employee did not exist . The conflict among workers will be happened . Third , consequences , incentives , reward . There were no consequences , incentives or rewards related to performance at the Learning Commons service point . Forth , skill and knowledge . A deficiency in general knowledge of the library services and the role of the librarians at the service point existed among TAC student assistants . Fifth , motivation and expectations . It is unclear what motivates Learning Commons employees and what they expect from themselves . After knowing the causes of the issues , intervention selection , design and development is needed . Closing the performances gap can be done through recommended solutions called interventions. HPT suggests that training is not always the appropriate solution because training will not solve issues related to motivation and expectation . However , an incentives and rewards will address motivation . There are some interventions existed after knowing the causes . There are job description intervention , document and standards intervention , training intervention , performance appraisal intervention . A job description specifically for employment in the Learning Commons would define each position’s duties , responsibilities , working conditions , and job activities , which would help employees understand their own job and the role of the other employees at the Learning Commons services point . Besides that , to remedy problems related to lack of information for job duties and procedures , the recommendation is a documents and standards intervention . The standard operating procedures(SOP) manual would include the job description , expectations , policies , guidelines , and procedures for each position at the service desk . Training intervention is training librarians and TAC students . Training employees would provide expectations for each employee . Performance appraisal intervention show staff that there will be consequences for poor performance and rewards for good performance . On the other hand , feedback should be encouraged in Learning Commons . Positive feedback should be provided and given from all the employees . Negative feedback is also important to correct everyday issues . After implemented all the intervention that suggested, must evaluate their success based on further analysis of performance . In my opinion , HPT is a very good tool to evaluate the individual performance or organizational performance . As we see the problems in Learning Commons , HPT had given a good solution for it in fixing the problem . HPT begins with a comparison of the of the present and the desired levels of individual and organizational performance to identify the performance gap. Once the performance gap and the causes have been determined, the appropriate interventions are designed and developed. These may include measurement and feedback systems, new tools and equipment, compensation and reward systems, selection and placement of employees, and training and development. The interventions are then implemented and the change process managed. After implemented all the intervention , The employees in Learning Commons will clear about their roles , responsibilities . At the same time , The Learning Commons is already providing to be a great resource at UNCW . HPT model must be applied cyclically and systematically over time to evaluate employee performance . However , I do not agree that HPT is always the best tool in solving problem . This is because it might identify wrong data or information during performance analysis . If it is wrong in the beginning of the process , inappropriate intervention might created . This will make the decision maker make the wrong decision . While doing wrong analysis , there might insert a high cost and it’s will be a waste of time if the analysis is wrong . Moreover , HPT has mentioned a few intervention to fix the problems . It’s hard to implement all those intervention at the same time . If cannot implement successfully , the more problem might exists . But if whole process is running smoothly , nonetheless , HPT is a very tool in solving problem . I had compared two models which are HPT model and ADDIE model . The ADDIE model is a systematic instructional design model consisting of five phase which are analysis , design , development ,implementation and evaluation phase . There are a few similarities between HPT model and ADDIE model . They both use process of analysis to look the problem and seek for the solution as well . However , they have a key different between the model . The ADDIE model addresses the â€Å"gaps between desired outcomes or behaviours and the audience’s existing knowledge and skills†. The ADDIE models mainly focus on the individual needs and then design and develop objectives and processes help the individual . Evaluation and implementation do not just happened at the end of the design and development . They are ongoing to inform the designer . So if there any changes, the necessary solution can be made quickly . The HPT model is different because it more focus on the causes of â€Å"performance† gap . The success of the organization is depend on its employees . HPT will look what causes the employees unable to perform the job . HPT’s goal is to increase the bottom line of the company by increasing the individual’s ability to perform the job . In addition , it is important that the HPT is look â€Å" what caused the problem† ,while the ADDIE model looks at â€Å" solving the problem exists † . HPT model design seem to also behaviourist approach because the focus is more changing individual behaviour . The HPT model will look at evaluation of the problem and how it was addressed long after the process . The HPT model has its own advantages . In my view , because HPT model is focused on how the people perform on the job . In my opinion , the workers or the people of the organization is the assets for its organization . So , the performance of the individual affect overall success of the organization . This model takes many variables into the account , that there will affect performance . It humanizes the work place because the individuals are allowed to address their problems. At the same time , it may be necessary to provide training course if the individual unable to perform the work is because of lacking information or unknowledgeable . Beside that , HPT model never ignore the reward or motivation . If they have a good performance , incentive or reward will be given to motivate the employees . Every model has its own disadvantages as well , disadvantage I see is how the technologist ensures lifelong working and the successful using the collected information. Because they wait a while before evaluating. It would seem to me that the worker would want to know immediately if they are doing better so that changes can be made more quickly. Feedback is so important to workers feeling successful and competent. If there is too much focus on negative feedback, it may have a negative impact on the individual. Where as in the ADDIE model, the worker’s deficiencies or the causes problems are not the major focus, and you get feedback at various stages rather than only at the end of the process. If I were a human resource professional in any area , I would use HPT model . As I was also a worker before , I see that would be beneficial for all the subordinates or primary worker . If workers feel supported, they’ll do better than if they’re not supported. It provides a guide to helping individuals be successful in their work. I think someone who feels successful and competent in their work is more likely to suffer less burn out than those individuals who have no one in their corner to mentor or help them solve whatever issue is keeping them from doing their best on the job. I might also use HPT when talking to friends or children about getting jobs and being successful on the job. I can apply it to my own career and be my own trouble shooter as well as look for solutions. This puts a little more power over what I do in my hands because at least I would know that I can change me to help the organization do its job better too. On the other hand , as I mentioned employees are a part of assets of the organization . I think it is the responsibility of the human resource department to choose an appropriate system of performance appraisal . Effective appraisal system motivate the employees all the time rather than joining training . Conclusion In conclusion, HPT model has been described as the systematic and systemic identification and removal of barriers to individual and organizational performance. Nonetheless ,HPT model is an effective tool for uncovering performance issues . The model can be applied to any area in the library where employees must perform and is not limited to public service . In any new service , some performance issues may â€Å" work themselves out† overtime while some may not . In some cases , problems left unidentified or unsolved , it may be quite difficult to fix after an extended period of time . It is same like our daily habit or problems , if a parent identified that a child is beginning to pick up a bad habit , it is certainly easier to change the child’s behaviour when the parent first notices their child’s behaviour . If the parents did not take action to stop their child in the beginning , it is hard to stop their child after maintain a long bad habit . Similarity to any other service , if identify the problems early , then can find out the causes and fix it as fast as possible . The model does require extensive analysis . Without this analysis , a full picture cannot be taken , assumption will be made , and issues or problems cannot be identified . Optimal employee performance is critical in any organization . From the journal , Learning Commons in UNCW is using human performance technology (HPT ) . It is a library . With libraries needing to demonstrate their value and provide assessment data and administration . The HPT model serves as one more useful tool for libraries to accomplish this . I had read a journal , which is about ADDIE model and I had also compared both ADDIE and HPT model . I found that there have many similarities . But when I go deeper for the journal , I found that there is a big differences . ADDIE model focus more on training building program , while in HPT model , training is only one of the tool . HPT model is not only useful in organization , but also useful for every individual . If did not find out the causes properly , a appropriate solution is impossible to created .

The Moral Philosophy Of Virtue Ethics

The Moral Philosophy Of Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics is a moral philosophy commonly attributed to Plato and Aristotle. The meaning of the word virtue for both was that of excellence. Although there are differences in their individual schools of thought, their outlook on morality is more or less the same. Both these philosophers came upon their understanding of ethics and morality while attempting to answer some fundamental question. For Plato, the question was, what is the good life? And for Aristotle this was, what do men fundamentally desire? In their individual attempts to answer these questions we find their theories of ethics. Plato described four cardinal virtues in his works. They were: Wisdom, Courage, Temperance and Justice, referring respectively to the following faculties of the human soul: Reason, Spirits, Appetites and justice being the correct balance of the first three, which according to him was the subservience of spirits and appetites to the faculty of reason. These virtues when properly exercised would lead to the development of an organized, well-balanced and hence virtuous individual. This well-balanced individual would be a happy person. So, Plato hypothesizes that it is a happy person who is leading a good life (hence, a good life is a happy life). He is happy because he is morally virtuous, morally virtuous because he is guided by reason and reason is knowledge. We now understand the first part of Platos theory that to be happy one must be morally virtuous. This leads to the second part of his theory that reason or that ultimate knowledge which is needed for morality comes from the Idea of Good. It is this Idea of Good which exists in the realm of Ideas, of immutable, unchanging Form which is the source and the final goal of all morality. And this Idea of Good is accessible only to the philosophers. Aristotle differs from the Platonic view over the concept of Forms and that knowledge of morality is a priori. According to him, moral principles are to be discovered through the study of mans life and his experiences and not from some obscure, formless world of ideals. In his search for the answer to what men fundamentally desire, Aristotle more or less comes to the same conclusion as Plato, which is the attainment of Eudaimonia, a term used by Aristotle and translated commonly as Happiness. As with Plato, Aristotle also believes that leading a virtuous life will lead to happiness. A virtuous life is one which is governed by reason. Reason in man has two functions. First is the use of reason (or the rational part of the soul) to control the irrational (appetitive, for e.g. emotions and vegetative, for e.g. breathing) part of the soul. The second is to use reason for the sake of deep analysis to come up with knowledge which in turn yields laws and principles to govern everyday life. He further states that virtue in man corresponds to these two functions of reason respectively: moral virtues and intellectual virtues. These moral and intellectual virtues are the mean between two vices. That is these virtues exist as the middle ground between two extremes. Moral virtues are those which based on rationality are ingrained in a man as his nature and are practiced by him out of habit. Examples of the moral virtues are courage and prudence etc. On the other hand, the intellectual virtues are those of exercising the rational part of the soul purely for the sake of reasoning, an example of which is wisdom. The former (moral virtues) are within reach of the ordinary man while the intellectual virtues fall in the domain of a few divinely blessed only. Finally, according to Aristotle it is the state of character of a person which makes him morally virtuous. This state of character is one of the three components of a mans personality. The other two being: the passions (e.g. anger or fear) and the faculties (e.g. ability to feel anger). It is the state of character which propels a man to choose between two extremes. Hence moral virtue is the state of character of a man which leads him to choose the golden mean. Let us take an example, proper pride is the mean between empty vanity and undue humility. To sum up Aristotles philosophy of ethics is that it is the character of man within which lies the power to choose. Hence it is not the act but the choice made between different forms of that act that morality is evident. NOTES William Lille, An Introduction to Ethics, (London: Methuen Co Ltd, 1971), 272. Ethel M. Albert, Theodore C. Denise and Sheldon P. Peterfreund, Great Traditions in Ethics, (New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1980), 11. Ibid., 38. Lille, An Introduction, 274, 277. Ethel M. Albert and others, Great, 11. Ibid., 29. Ibid., 38. Ibid., 46. Ibid., 48. Ibid., 39. Ibid., 50.

King Lear :: Literary Analysis, Shakespeare

â€Å"...the error of age is to believe that experience is a substitute for intelligence.† (Lyman Bryson) In the play King Lear by William Shakespeare, such an idea is explored. Lear is a King who is physically aged but as the play progresses, it becomes clear that he lacks the intelligence which usually accompanies it. The play is set in a time where the King was equal to God himself, he was set apart from the common man as somewhat of a transcended being. Shakespeare breaks this unspoken relationship through the events of his play. Lear’s rash decision to banish his loving daughter Cordelia and hand total power of his kingdom over to two his uncaring daughters, Goneril and Regan sets of a chain of events which send him on a downward spiral to become the basest of human beings. Shakespeare uses the characters of the Fool, Cordelia, Kent and Goneril as well as irony, foreshadowing, and diction to portray Lear as nothing more than an unseeing old human being. The Fool is a character in the play who is the embodiment of Lear’s conscience and through him, the audience is able to witness the folly of the King. His name bears quite a significant irony as throughout the play it is made apparent that it is the Fool who is the wiser. He states that, â€Å"this fellow banished two on’s daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will† (1,4,101-103) The Fool lays bare the folly Lear in not recognising the worth of a true daughter yet through his foolish act, he has done Cordelia good. In a way this irony of the Fool foreshows the future judgement of this judgemental monarch. In the play it is Cordelia who is banished and the other two who have blessings poured on them, but the Fool provides the audience with a different perspective on this matter; one, which is increasingly unapparent to the ailing King who is quick to continue his living in denial, stating that, â€Å"[All] This is nothing, Fool† (1,4 127) Shak espeare’s placement of the Fools as Lear’s conscience allows the audience to feel the emotions which the king should be experiencing. In the event of Cordelia’s banishing â€Å"the Fool hath much pinned away† (1,4,71-72) Shakespeare shows the Fool’s sadness to contrast with the apparent lack of some in the King. This also evokes audience empathy. Through the Fool Shakespeare is able to convey to the reader the apparent folly of a vain King and the enormity of his folly.

Stephen Coonts flight Of The Intruder: Summary Essay -- essays resea

Stephen Coonts' "Flight of the Intruder": Summary This week I read Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coonts. I read from page 1 to page 437 for a total of 437 pages. The book is about an A-6A Intruder (a naval bomber) pilot named Jake Grafton. In the first few pages Jake's best friend and B/N (Bombardier/Navigator) is killed by a Vietnamese soldier's rifle. In this mission their target was a "suspected truck park." Jake goes into despondency (depression, despair) for a days and tries to convince his squadron leader that the targets are worthless, that thousand of Americans have died en route and returning from these. The leader replies that he is not in control of the targets, the Pentagon and Air Force is. Jake gathers information from maps and a friend in the navigation department to learn about a target he wants to go after: The Vietnam Communist Party Headquarters. The three figure that if they succeed, they'll have a good chance of hitting the leader of the party. Grafton and his bombardier, Virgil Cole miss the building completely and just hit a few bystanders and blow craters in the sidewalk. Just when the two are about to be court-martialed, President Nixon gives the orders of unauthorized bombings anywhere in North and South Vietnam. Grafton and Cole fly their next mission with a EA-6B for SAM (surface-to-air missiles) suppression. This plane only carried antiradiation missiles to destroy the SAMs and their radar. ...

Essay on school uniforms Essay

Imagine being able to wake up every morning, roll out of bed, put on the same thing you wore the day before, and head off to school. Not only would you be able to do such a thing, but all of your friends were doing it, too! Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s becoming more common in our society as school uniforms have gone beyond private schools to public schools. Uniforms have a positive effect on students’ self-esteem, attendance, discipline, and test scores. They have also been proven to decrease the rate of crime and violence in public schools. Most students and even parents will argue that SCHOOL UNIFORMS stifle individualism. The teenage years are a time when adolescents try out different personas, often experimenting with different styles of clothing during this phase. Opponents argue that uniforms take away an individual’s freedom of expression. However, the clothes that people wear, or can afford to wear, often define the group by which they are accepted. As a result, many teens are outcast due to the fact that they cannot afford the top-of-the-line, name-brand clothing. This rejection can lead to several problems for the outcast teen: depression, inability to concentrate on schoolwork, or just a general feeling of inferiority. School uniforms put everyone on the same level because no outfit is more stylish or expensive than another. Linda Moore, principal at Will Rogers Middle School in Long Beach, California, states, â€Å"Uniforms reduce the differences between the haves and have-nots† (Ritter, 1). Uniforms allow students to interact with one another without experiencing the socioeconomic barrier that non-uniform schools create. More importantly, children are not judged on how much they spent on clothes or how stylish they look, but rather for their talents and personalities. School uniforms not only break down socioeconomic barriers, but they also increase the safety of the students. In 1996, President Bill Clinton encouraged the use of school uniforms as part of an education program that sought to improve safety and discipline (Hoffman, 1). If students are all wearing the same type of outfit, it becomes much easier to spot outsiders  who may wander onto the campus. In addition, uniforms decrease the number of incidences of students being attacked or beaten for items of clothing such as shoes and jackets. Also, members of gangs frequently have a color or style of clothing used to identify themselves. Unsuspecting students who wear gang colors or gang-related attire might be threatened or intimidated by members of opposing gangs, students wearing expensive or fashionable clothes might become victims of theft, or certain fashion accessories or attire may be used as a means of concealing weapons, or even as weapons (Paliokas, 1). At a school in Long Beach, California, after only the first year that uniforms were implemented, overall school crime decreased 36 percent, fights decreased 51 percent, sex offenses decreased 74 percent, weapons offenses decreased 50 percent, assault and battery offenses decreased 34 percent, and vandalism decreased 18 percent (Manual, 3). Schools with uniform-clad students are also proven to have fewer disciplinary problems and increased attendance than non-uniform schools. Dr. John German, principal of South Shore, located in Seattle, Washington, reports, â€Å"This year the demeanor in the school has improved 98 percent, truancy and tardies are down, and we have not had one reported incident of theft† (Manual,4). Ruffner Middle School, located in Norfolk, Virginia, reports a 47 percent decrease in students leaving class without permission (Manual,5). With the implementation of uniforms, students no longer spend hours deciding what they are going to wear to school. This fear of looking â€Å"uncool† will often cause kids to decide that they do not feel well enough to go to school because they can’t find anything to wear. Uniforms allow students to focus more on their academics, and less on what everyone else is wearing. According to Long Beach police chief William Ellis, â€Å"Students concentrate more on education, not on who’s wearing $100 shoes or gang attire† (Manual, 3). Elementary Guidance Counselor Sharon Carter of Memphis, Tennessee states, â€Å"The tone of the school is different. There’s not the competitiveness†¦about who’s wearing what† (Manual, 5). Many families worry about not having enough money to buy uniforms. Due to the fact that no child can be denied an education because of economic  disadvantage, all schools requiring uniforms must include provisions to assist low-income families. For example, the Long Beach School District solved this problem by setting up a boutique shop, funded by private donors, where needy students can shop (Paliokas, 5). In addition, community and business leaders provide or contribute financial support for uniforms, and students who have graduated often donate their used uniforms to incoming students (Manual, 3). However, uniforms are considerably cheaper to buy than non-uniform clothes, and the students can wear them every day and it isn’t considered unusual. Parents can buy a few pairs of pants, shirts, or other variations of a uniform for under $100, while parents of non-uniform-wearing students can spend from several hundred up to $1,000 a year on clothing. Parents find that buying two or three uniforms is ultimately cheaper than buying clothes to follow the fads, and it stops arguments at home in the mornings about what to wear (Oland, 1). Pop culture increasingly sends young girls the message that the smaller and tighter the clothes, the more readily they will be accepted. These outfits, which flaunt navels and bra straps, are not only distracting, but detract from teaching time as teachers argue with students about what is considered acceptable attire. With uniforms, there are only a few acceptable variations of the outfit, no questions asked. A less well-known theory concerning the pros of school uniforms is the â€Å"halo effect.† According to researcher Marc Posner, the â€Å"halo effect† refers to the idea that while uniforms may not change student behavior, the uniforms may change the way teachers and other adults perceive the students who wear them. In a study of the correlation of student clothing and teacher and student perceptions, Dorothy Behling of Bowling Green University found that students and teachers alike believe that uniform-clad students not only behave better, but also do better academically than those who don’t wear uniforms. While this may be an illusion, these positive perceptions can help create a self-fulfilling prophecy that teachers and administrators raise their discipline and grading standards to reflect their more positive image of students, who, in turn, behave better. (School Discipline, 1). While research on the effectiveness of uniforms is still ongoing, they have been proven to raise test scores, boost self-esteem, reduce violence and crime, and create a sense of newfound pride in students. They help children to focus on learning and schoolwork, not on what everyone else is wearing or whether or not they fit in. Uniforms are not the solution to all of the problems that teens, teachers, and schools face today, but research and statistics suggest that they may be a step in the right direction.