Diversity Leadership in IHRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Diversity Leadership in IHRM - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that diversity is often referred to as the differences between the individuals. The dissimilarities among individuals materialize in both nonvisible and visible aspects. Some of the key examples of diversity among the individuals are dissimilarities in gender, age, skills, sexual preferences, learning styles, tenure, etc. These differences are evident the workplace but at times the differences are not visible. â€Å"Excellence through diversity is one of the Chancellor's goals†, yet this term is often faced confusion, controversy, and tension. Regarding this aspect, scholars such as Griffin emphasizes managing diversity in the firm offers various advantages and the most common one emerges in the form of catering to the diversified base of customers. However, contradicting this statement another set of scholars such as Inyang and Akpama and Kiggundu believes that although managing a diverse workforce provide benefits to a firm, but it requires strong management and failure to which can lead to intergroup conflicts. Hence, it is obvious that firms planning to recruit diverse employee group must a good frame management system. In this rapidly changing workplace environment, maintaining a diverse workforce helps a company to remain competitive in the marketplace. Scholars such as Inyang emphasizes that diversity not only brings fresh perspectives to the company but also promotes innovation and equips the company with the ability to solve complex problems. Furthermore, having a diverse workforce also allows a firm to have an efficient workforce, which is a necessity in this diverse business setting. Executives who are having intercultural management skills have high demand as they have the ability to constantly adapt to this shifting trend of a marketplace.

The Effect Of An Independent Exercise Program Essay

The Effect Of An Independent Exercise Program - Essay Example In the development of various exercise programs for treating the patients with bronchiectasis it is important to have enough knowledge as for the means of airway clearance methods, their effectiveness and outcomes. There has been made profound research a for the effects and effectiveness of such methods, and it is necessary to discuss them in general and especially concentrate on the PEP method. Abundant research has supported the central role and importance of the retained secretions in initiating the bronchiectatic process. Bronchiectasis is characterized by the effect of mucus hypersecretion, and it is the display of the disease destructive effect. If the secretions are not cleared from the airways, they will nurture the organisms, which in their turn become the reason of chronic inflammation, and support the high level of various toxic byproducts in the lungs of patients. Mucus also serves the means of transporting the chemical products, which seriously damage the lung defense system. In case the patient is diagnosed having excessive amount of mucus in his lungs, there is a threat that the clearance mechanism will be destroyed as well as further promotion of bronchiectasis will be promoted. However, certain researches have been devoted to the evaluation of effectiveness in relation to different airway clearance methods. It is necessary to understand that with the development of new approaches to the bronchiectasis treatment the central role will be devoted to prevention or earlier intervention of the disease, and the excessive use of antibiotics should become the means of emergency rescue means in the most serious cases. The airway clearance therapy should be thoroughly developed and should carry aggressive character, no matter which method exactly is chosen. Any method of airway clearance will enhance the clearance of thick mucus. Airway clearance techniques are divided into several methods and are represented as follows: Mechanical percussion; Positive expiratory pressure; Vibratory positive expiratory pressure; Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation; Etc. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) or expiratory resistance for COPD promotes the clearance of mucus and the collateral ventilation disease. PEP works through pushing air into the lungs, keeping them open all the time. Through the use of PEP the person breathes in normally, but breathing out is made as if through resistance. The PEP device is usually used with a mask; it is noted that it can also adapted for the delivery of bronchodilators. Shelton (2004) notes, that it is effective without the need for using the postiral drainage, and of course in case it is performed incorrectly, it proves itself to be absolutely ineffective, though this may be said in relation to any other airway clearance techniques. The systematic review of the literature, related with the use and various researches in the area of PEP devices, has been made by Elkins et al. (2004), however, the bigger portion of the studies, found by author, have been considered by him to e of low quality. He has used twenty stu dies in his research, which included 430 participants. According to the literary research, it has been indicated that forced expiratory volume in 1 second was the most common

Media Influence on Anorexia in Adolescent Girls

Media Influence on Anorexia in Adolescent Girls Katrina Cooper Table of Contents (Jump to) Rationale Aims and objectives Methodology Context Literature review How are adolescent girls being affected by fashion magazines and the media? Anorexia†¦Encouraged by Pro Anna website? Conclusion Bibliography Rationale A literature review is needed to analyse the reasons there is an increase in adolescent girls developing Anorexia Nervosa. A high number of girls are feeling pressured to diet to manage their weight. Social influences are affecting girls from believing the idea that women in fashion magazines, models and the media have the perfect body. This ideology can cause extreme dieting which can therefore develop into an eating disorder such as anorexia. Adolescent girls are being made to feel insecure about their bodies because of the way in which the media portrays underweight women with the image of the ideal body. Anorexia is a major concern for adolescent girls, with pressures from school, home and peers to remain at a healthy weight. It is difficult for girls to remain in control of their lives and can then lead on to extreme outcomes such as mortality or long term health problems. Aims and objectives To discuss in what ways the media influences girls into the idea of the ‘perfect body shape’. To discuss: Magazines Fashion Social media and internet access (Pro Anna website)   Methodology A literature review on the impact of social influences and the media has on adolescent girls of engaging in extreme dieting which can then lead to an eating disorder such as Anorexia Nervosa. Multiple studies agree that the media has an influence on adolescent girls. However; there is not enough research to declare social influences as the prime cause for young girls for developing anorexia. Numerous studies agree with the media being a cause for concern but research suggests that there are numerous other factors to take into consideration such as biological, developmental, behavioural and sociocultural. It is crucial to consider ethical considerations when taking part in research for a literature review to ensure all the information is accurately interpreted. If the research is not interpreted correctly it can create an unfair literature review. Context Anorexia Nervosa is a mental disorder which starts with an individual dieting and then leads on to unhealthy psychological thoughts about their bodies and weight. This can cause extreme weight loss and the irrational belief that the person is overweight. Individuals diagnosed with Anorexia have obsessive thoughts on restricting food, their calorie intake and food recipes. Studies suggest adolescents are most likely to develop an eating disorder because they struggle to deal with the developmental process that takes place just before or after puberty. Individuals concentrate on becoming thin for their own belief it will help with their personal identity. Studies have found that over the past 50 years there has been an increase in adolescent girls who have developed an eating disorder. The prevalence rate for young girls from ages 15-19 year olds who have developed anorexia nervosa has increased by 0.48%. There’s little information on the reasons adolescent girls have concerns about their weight and body issues. However, many researchers suggest the main reason is the media and the role it plays in portraying an ideal weight regarding pressures on young girls to remain thin. According to York (2012) there was an increase in people being admitted to hospital with an eating disorder. The admissions increased from 16% from the year before resulting in 2,228 in patients being treated for an eating disorder. The most major increase was from 10 to 15 year old girls, the prevalence rate increased from the year before by 69%. Similarly, it was recorded that 1 in 10 of all hospital admissions was girls aged 15 years old. How are adolescent girls being affected by fashion models and the media? Fashion models promote an unhealthy weight, The study of Katzmarzyk and Davis (1978 and 1998) studied models for two decades, results found models decreased their body weight. The study found that 70% of models were underweight, while 75% of women models were less than 85% of their ideal body weight. Similarly, Tiggemann studied 16 year old girls to find out the reasons for young girls concerns on weight and body dissatisfaction. Tiggemann found that the biggest reason that influences girls to lose weight is the media. However, he explained that the 16 year old girls are increasingly aware of the media influences and the self-image portrayal. The media such as magazines, television advertisements, music videos emphasise that female’s appearance is thoroughly important. This encourages adolescents to believe that self-worth is connected with appearance. Underweight fashion models create a negative impact upon themselves by looking unhealthy, stretched and physically disordered. Airbrushing in the media further emphasises impractical unrealistic expectations on young adolescent girls in society. In western society, young girl’s self-esteem deteriorates significantly during the adolescent stage. This increases the risk of young girls being extremely vulnerable and to feel dissatisfied with their weight. A study in the UK analysed 136 participant girls aged 11 to 16 year olds to find out if magazine images of underweight models or average weight models caused insecurities in young girls self-esteem. All of the young girls agreed it did cause insecurities and self-esteem issues. A study has confirmed 50% of young girls read fashion magazines between the ages of 11- 15 year old. Additionally, adolescents are being affected by the media because young girls see fashion models as a body to aspire for and admire them as a role model. This influences young girls to diet; in some cases this could have a negative impact on an adolescent girl and her associatiation with her body. Medical researchers are disturbed how the thin body from fashion models are becoming a stimulant to anorexia in adolescent girls. The fashion models bodies are being used as an influential cultural icon in society and fashion models are dangerously thin. Fashion models have an immense impact on young girls and how they begin to view their bodies in a negative way. The fashion models body creates a risk and danger to young girls because young girls think it is effective to aim to imitate the fashion model. This influences the behaviour habits associated with anorexia such as reducing eating habits and exercising more. Similarly, the university of west of England organised a survey involving 810 young participants. The survey concentrated on the media and images in magazine that promote ‘the perfect body’. Over half of the adolescent girls knew of other girls in their school who presently have body troubles. Apparently 25.4% of young girls compare their bodies to celebrities or people in the media and 35.2% of young girls want to look similar to models in magazines. Half of adolescent girls have been on a diet to lose weight and 15% of young girls would take diet pills if they were willing to lose weight. The age groups for individuals with anorexia In western society, people are taught that diets make them more content in their life. The media sends out messages that to be happy in life you have to be thin and there is comparison between realistic views on the body to thin models, average and underweight celebrities. Society wants individuals to look a certain way and being overweight has become unacceptable in western society. In addition, adolescent girls can attempt suicide because of the psychological effects of trying to achieve the ideal body promoted by fashion models. Recovering from anorexia can be difficult and may produce long term effects. Anorexia can have great effects on a young girls life with long term unemployment, parenting, fertility and relationship problems. It is not uncommon for young girls to be depressed with Anorexia. An individual’s eating disorder can have an impact in all aspects of the young girl’s life, in particular the family. Members of the family may find it difficult to approach and support someone with an eating disorder. Influence of Pro-Anorexia Websites The Pro- anorexia websites started appearing on the internet in 1994 and was initially created for individuals with Anorexia. The websites were used as a forum in which other people with the eating disorder could give online support to one another. However, research suggests individuals with the eating disorder are using the website as a way to stay thin, with groups of individuals encouraging one another to stay thin or lose more weight. There is a great concern for adolescents using anti recovery techniques on the Pro Anna website forum. Almost 49% of young adults internationally have access to the internet, exposing young people to damaging websites. The pro Anna website is described for promoting an eating disorder as a lifestyle choice and not as a medical condition. The content on such websites are influencing and giving adolescents ideas on starving themselves. There is a big concern on adolescents being able to access these websites and medical professionals should be aware of the harmful content on the Pro Anna website. Patients should be advised to seek accurate advice and support if willing to view information from the internet. However, more research is needed to be able to stop adolescents from accessing these dangerous websites. On the other hand, there are some positive roles for the Pro Anna website it can strengthen values for individuals and feel they are able to belong in a group. If the forum is used correctly by people with anorexia nervosa, individuals could share similar experiences, can give one another support and encourage each other to eat. The forum does encourage people with Anorexia to tell family, friends and doctors about their eating disorder. However, individuals on the website suggest that others with anorexia should not reveal too much too families and others as they believe people who do not have the eating disorder do not understand. A study of the Pro Anna websites reported that out of 182 families only 27% of parents discussed the Pro Anna website subject with their children. Similarly, only 52% of parents encountered and were aware of the Pro Anna websites. On the other hand, 35% of patients admitted using the Pro Anna websites, on average for at least 2.8 hours a week, with some patients using the website for up to 20 hours a week. The media has increasingly become aware of the effects of the Pro Anna website and are emphasising the necessary precautions parent should pursue in order to prevent their children from visiting the Pro Anna websites. However, the websites should not be unnecessarily advertised or promoted to children. Children should not be aware of the Pro Anna websites existence as this may cause unnecessary harm. In addition, children should be educated to critically analyse images in the media in case children do come across harmful content while accessing the internet. Conclusion The media has a great impact on adolescent girls from developing anorexia. The media is promoting unhealthily thin models and adolescents witness these images as adolescent girls read magazines regularly. This then causes self-esteem issues because adolescents are at a vulnerable age. It then can lead on to serious weight loss and dramatic outcomes. The age has decreased in adolescent girls at one point it was 16-19 year olds, but now it is affecting 11 to 16 year olds. The concern is high for adolescent girls gaining the opportunity of internet access to damaging websites which could further damage a person’s health. However, more research is needed to determine if social influences are the main cause for adolescent girls developing anorexia. Individuals should be aware there are many other causes other than social influences such as behaviour and biology. There are a number of factors that are necessary to take into consideration when diagnosing an adolescent girl with anore xia nervosa. There is not enough research to use one issue to be the responsibility of the eating disorder. 1

The Destruction of Female Possession in The English Patient Essay

In Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient we see a world completely ravaged by war. The land itself is damaged, sometimes beyond recognition as it is torn apart by bombs. Just as these human-made structures have faced the damage of imperialism, so have female bodies in the novel. Ondaatje creates several parallels between man’s attempt to â€Å"own† the land around him and his â€Å"ownership† of the female body. As we see in the novel, this attempt at ownership almost always ends in destruction, â€Å"war,† and often, death. What I believe Ondaatje is trying to present to us is the impossibility of â€Å"owning† something that should ultimately be free, such as the female body (or any body, for that matter.) Though some feminist theorists such as Lilijana Burcar have claimed Ondaatje’s novel perpetuates the idea of male ownership of female bodies, I believe we see several examples of female empowerment hidden throughout th e novel; examples of females outwardly rejecting such â€Å"ownership,† as Hanna refuses to be seen as a sexual object by Carravagio, and even changes her appearance to â€Å"defeminize† herself. We even see gender-roles reverse. The â€Å"male gaze† seems to apply not only to males, but to females as well as Hanna views the sapper, Kip, in a â€Å"feminized† and often â€Å"sexual† way. Most striking of all, however, is Ondaatje’s representation of the character Katharine as an almost voiceless physical body which is undoubtedly â€Å"owned† and consumed by Almasy’s desire. As we see, this â€Å"ownership† leads to what is arguably the biggest destruction in the novel: the destruction of both Katharine and Almasy altogether. Before focusing on the most extreme example of male ownership that is Almasy’s ownership of Katharine, I want to first exa... ...vere gender-divide that is only normally present in same-sex relationships. This along with Hana’s appreciation for her own body and sexuality show readers a new type of relationship. In this way, I feel Ondaatje’s novel is progressive and reflects several feminist values and ideals, though they are often hidden just below the surface. Works Cited Burcar, Lilijana. â€Å"Mapping the Woman’s Body in Ondaatje’s The English Patient† Postcolonialweb.org Bordo, S. 1993. "Feminism, Foucault, and the Politics of the Body." In C. Ramazanoglu, (Ed.): Up Against Foucault. Explorations of some Tensions between Foucault and Feminism. London and New York: Routledge.181 -202. Butler, J. 1990. Gender Trouble. Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. London and New York: Routledge. Suleri, Sara. The Rhetoric of English India. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992.

Cruddy by Lynda Barry

Lynda Barry has provided a thoughtful, interesting, and provocative novel about Roberta Rohbeson featuring, on the surface, two diverse, but related story lines. The first is the story of Roberta as a sixteen-year-old girl and details what happened to her to cause her to be grounded for a year for dropping two hits of acid in September of 1971. It is Roberta who gives the book its name. While grounded in her room she begins to write in her diary with an ominous note of her intended suicide, â€Å"I planned this way before the drugs were a part of my life. . . .It was my idea to kill myself† (Barry two pagers before 1). This plot thread is interwoven with a more detailed sinister thread that took place five years earlier when Roberta's parents separated and, at her mother's insistence, Roberta hide in the back of her father's car and accompanied â€Å"the Father,† as she calls him, on a bloody, murderous, cross-country spree fueled by the near constant drinking by her al coholic father. The spree ended with her father as the prime suspect in the Lucky Chief Motel Massacre and with Roberta walking through the Nevada while covered with blood (Barry).It is unclear however whether either of the plot threads actually occurred within the world of the novel or whether they are the imaginings or hallucinations of a teenage girl being punished for misbehaving. Unlike many books that deal with teenage angst by portraying the protagonist as a person with a â€Å"woe is me† attitude, Cruddy distinguishes itself by not falling victim to this self-indulgent trap. Roberta is detached from her family. Like the impersonal description of her father as â€Å"the father,† Roberta's mother is called simply â€Å"the mother.† Roberta views her younger half-sister Julie with the usual contempt of teenagers who are forced to share a bedroom. Roberta has a matter of fact attitude toward the events in her life and blames no one for her actions. She remem bers and acts upon some of the philosophical aphorisms her father espouses. â€Å"DO NOT HESITATE. NEVER, NEVER HESITATE† and L. L. S. S. , (loose lips sink ships) (Barry 30, 99). The book features a large number of charcoal drawings that illustrate the accompanying text. These pictures provide the reader with the best physical description of the father.Page 22 features a portrait of a hard looking man with deep-set eyes and a cigarette drooping reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart. The picture reveals an independent man who will brook nonsense from no one and will not hesitate to use violence should the need or opportunity arise. The father's face reveals no compassion for anyone, not even his daughter Roberta whom he calls Clyde. Ostensibly the alcohol binge and crime spree of the father starts at the time of the separation of Roberta's parents.When the father discovers that Julie, the younger sister, is not his, but the child of his wife's boss he snaps because of the stress cau sed by the discovery. Combined with the apparent suicide of his father known as Old Dad, it was more than he could bear. The newspapers covering the story of the murders alleged that the father stole Roberta in the middle of the night and left a note threatening to kill Roberta if the mother calls the police or tried to find them (Barry 23). According to Roberta this is largely a fiction put on by her mother to get her picture in the paper.The real story is the mother made Roberta hide in the car and accompany her father. At the novel's beginning the father was due to inherit the family business, a well-known local meatpacking plant where he worked as a butcher and had developed a good reputation locally. Instead of leaving the business to his son Old Dad sold it â€Å"out from under† the father and left him unemployed and without funds. Allegedly Old Dad placed the money into three Samsonite suitcases none of which he gave to the father. Then Old Dad hanged himself in the me at cooler.He believes his father, Old Dad, has cheated him and that he is just getting back what was his by natural right. Allegedly much of the father's motivation lies in hopes of recovering the suitcases and the supposed money in them. However, it is difficult to determine if there is any truth at all to the story of the three suitcases of money. Supposedly the meatpacking plant was heavily mortgaged and selling the plant was necessary to pay the debts, â€Å"at least I'm not leaving you in the hole,† said Old Dad.If this were the case one would expect him to open the suitcases as he found them and make use of the money, but he does not do this. When he finds the first suitcase he merely holds it up and says, â€Å"not a scratch on it . . . It's Samsonite! We could do a [bleep] commercial† (Barry 25-38). This peculiar behavior calls into question whether this plot thread ever existed. Nonetheless with this theoretical motivation the father packs his butcher knives a nd leaves his wife. Blood has played an important role in the father's life.Although he spent time in the Navy, being a butcher was his work as a butcher that he believed that he would achieve success. He takes pride in the work he does and has hopes of challenging even the big packinghouses and that stores were going to come back and buy their meet from Rohbeson's Slaughter House (Barry 25). At the end of a workday he and his clothes were often covered with blood. He is devoted to his knives and goes so far as to name them. Little Debbie is his favorite and he gives it to Roberta to protect herself. The nature of the father's profession was inherently violent.The violence manifests itself throughout the novel. He kills people in a variety of ways including homicide by car and shooting people. When Roberta is injured and receives a small cut on her finger that becomes infected, he casually uses Little Debbie to remove the finger at the knuckle while promising that Roberta â€Å"wou ld not feel a thing: (Barry 198). The name of the combination slaughterhouse, restaurant, and bar where they stay for a time is the Knocking Hammer, presumably a reference to a notorious method of killing beef about to be slaughtered by hitting them in the head with a hammer.The violence in the father's life also occurs in Roberta's world. Shortly after the father amputated her finger Roberta found herself thinking about killing the father and the others who live at Knocking Hammer (Barry 214). Shortly afterwards Roberta uses Little Debbie to cut the throat of the deputy sheriff while he is driving her to the institution where her father has committed her. By the end of the novel Roberta has killed her father by slicing his throat with the knife named Sheila. She also killed the others staying at the Lucky Chief Motel.Roberta has become a serial killer. It is unclear whether or not examining the father helps understand his blood thirst. By the book's end the two plot threads have vi rtually merged and it is no longer clear how much of the events in the novel actually happened. It appears likely that the thread where Roberta gets grounded for dropping acid is true. However, it is less clear the other thread occurred at all. It may be the acid induced hallucinations of Roberta. It may be a story made up to entertain her friend Vicky.Both threads may be the imaginary world of a teenager trying to get back at her parents for grounding her for a year by imagining one of them an unfit mother and the father as a homicidal, alcoholic maniac. The novel works in all of these fashions and leaves the reader unsure just what is what. In any case the world where Roberta lives, whether it is real, imaginary, or the product of drug-induced delusions is a violent one. Works Cited Barry, Lynda. Cruddy: An Illustrated Novel. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999.

Political divide Essay

If we look at the issue of political divisiveness in the United States with the idea in mind that all politics are local, Mike Gates is probably correct in his assessment that the issue is ignorance and people who are too aware of their own opinions. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor might agree. Gates is a city council member in the small community of West Linn, Oregon, who did not run for re-election because of what he views as a a growing divide within his own community (2008). His reason, he said, is simple. â€Å"There are just too many people engaging in pure political fantasy. They have accumulated to a point where no one could possibly respond to all the nonsense,† (Gates 2008). In the West Linn case, the issue is one of the government’s ability to provide all the desired services that the city residents are demanding and how exactly the government should fund these services (2008). On a larger scale, this is the same debate that faces the nation as a whole. Many people believe that the United States government should solve all the country’s ills, from global warming and poor economy to the lack of health care. Those who believe that it is the government’s responsibility to assure that all men remain equal and therefore have exactly the same things also believe that to make sure everyone has their needs met, we should take from the rich and give to the poor. On the extreme other side of the coin, we have Americans who believe that a person should take individual responsibility for their own needs and not rely on the government. These people oppose higher taxes to pay for anything. It is a fundamental difference of opinion that has lead to a deeply divided country. This is the divide Gates observes within his community. The people want West Linn to provide more services, but do not want higher property taxes to pay for those services. Complicating the issue is the question of religious freedom versus freedom from religion, as observed by former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O’Connor. In a case regarding the inclusion of the word God in the Pledge of Allegiance, O’Connor â€Å"asked whether the school’s pledge policy â€Å"sends a message to nonadherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community. And, in concluding that it does not, O’Connor emphasized that the pledge â€Å"has been employed pervasively without engendering significant controversy† and â€Å"caused no political divisiveness prior to the filing of this lawsuit. † (Garnett 2004). The Supreme Court justice tried to argue that a middle of the road approach, where those who disagreed with something simply chose not to participate, was appropriate. Unfortunately, this moderate approach was rejected by people on both sides of the issue. Instead of being happy with a compromise solution, it seems that people are more insistent on getting things their way. â€Å"More and more, our law seems suspicious of those divisions that our Constitution actually protects–that is, the divisions that result when free people contend over difficult questions that matter–yet indifferent to the harm done to religious freedom by demands for the privatization of faith and its segregation from civic life† (Garnett 2004). In this case, the author argued that removing God from the pledge was an imposition on the rights of the religious and the case had clearly claimed that the pledge’s use of â€Å"God† was an imposition on the rights of those with other or non-existent religious beliefs. Garnett and others seem more than willing to argue that the middle ground is not sufficient. All sides of an argument now claim moral superiority and believe that they must be given their way. This unfortunately contributes to a devisiveness from which the country cannot hope to recover.

Literacy Coaching in Modern Education

Literacy Coaching in Modern Education Introduction Literate citizenry is very critical in the economic growth of every country. Currently, the high rate of globalization requires a workforce that is very efficient in communication, reading and solving various problems. As a result, the ability to sustain an economy of every country is dependent on the effectiveness and productivity of its human resource. Effective education is one of the ways through which literacy amongst the citizens can be attained.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Literacy Coaching in Modern Education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In order for learning institutions to be effective in imparting knowledge to students, they are incorporating valuable learning programs. These programs are mainly intended to enhance adolescent literacy. One of the ways through which adolescent learning process can be improved is through incorporation of literacy coaches (Sturtevant 1). Sturteva nt defines literacy coaches as proficient individuals whose role is to promote achievement of learning objectives in their school districts and secondary schools. Their roles and titles depend on the context of work, teaching and educational experience. Some of roles they play include coaching, teaching and heading reading programs. In addition, they serve as reference in reading and writing for administrators, learning support personnel, teachers and the society. They also provide expertise promotion based on past and latest literature and studies. In addition they collaborate with other professionals to develop and implement reading schemes for single person or groups of students at the same time acting as advocates for students who have difficulties in reading. The role of literacy coaches can be specifically defined. For example, a literacy coach can act as tutor for students facing problems in reading and a coordinator for writing and reading schemes (Rita Deford 3). Based on the views of Cleveland University Heights, literacy coaches act as collaborative consultants to promote K grade 12 teachers. They also serve as providers of essential understanding and particular literacy materials which support the learning process. Literacy coaches can be defined in seven different ways as outlined below (Cleveland University Heights 3). Teachers who have special knowledge, experience and skills in literacy teaching Modelers and communicators of research-linked top practices approaches relevant to literacy teachings Promoters of teachers by analysis Opportunities providers of professional communication and development Initiators of teachers support in relation to district literacy essentials Promoters of assessment associated implementation of the ELA basic curriculum. Interpreters and translators of literacy assessment to guide the development of coaching. Standard for literacy experts, 2010 This standard details the criteria for establishing and assessing pre paration plans for learning professionals. It gives the description of what is acceptable and what is not to reading professions in its context. These standards are based on performance. It also emphasizes on the importance of concentrating on knowledge, disposition and skills which are crucial for effective learning in a particular role. The standard is a product of a deliberative procedure based on professional proficiency and research in the reading area. Standard matrix Each matrix is defined by fundamentals that give particulars of the standards contents and whose evidence may be used to reproduce assignments, activities or assessment of particular preparation schemes. The elements in the verification column in the 2003 standard have been amended to portray development in the literacy field. For instance, with the significance influence of technology in writing and reading directives, it highlights ways through which reading experts can showcase their skill using the new litera cy.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition, the standard portrays increased concern for English students, due to increase of their number in school and progression in knowledge of literacy instruction provision for them. It is important to note that these standards also give indicators and elements that specifically describe the roles the reading professional (International Reading Association 2) Standards are portrayed across all roles in a matrix with roles as columns and standards in rows to enable readers to detect the difference in outcomes among the professional responsibilities. However, standards 2010 list every role separately with complimentary standards to allow readers to search a specific standard alongside its description through out the various roles. Users of standards, 2010 Some of the institutions which utilize these standards include institut ions of higher learning such as colleges and universities. One of the ways through which these standards are utilized includes preparation of programs and promotion of personnel. The personnel who utilize these standards include Reading teachers Administrators Reading teachers Educators Literacy coaches Reading specialists Class reading teachers. The standard is also utilized by these individuals in assessment of the candidates and effectiveness’s of the program. The NCATE utilizes a criterion which is based on this standard in making decisions related to accreditation of literacy coaches otherwise referred to as reading coaches. The International Reading Association is responsible for conducting reviews of literacy coaches for NCATE endorsement. In addition, NCATE employs these standards to update their basic teacher standards relevant to language and reading art (International Reading Association 4). Standards 2010 is applicable in higher education institutions, state dep artments or units to control both professional program effectiveness and student’s reading preparedness. These standards are based on professionalism and reading research that depicts the performance criteria displayed by skilled reading experts. The set of standards guide determines the choice of program content when programming as well as learning activities which prepare students for the prospective roles such as reading specialist. Appropriately, the standard gives a guide for the determination of the amount of courses and semester hours to be included in the plan to support high performance in every expertise role. Effective assessment of candidate can be achieved through its alignment with the reading standards.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Literacy Coaching in Modern Education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More How, are assessments conducted using these standards? Various points precede the c larification of the procedure for measuring candidate outcome and quality of the program by use of standard 2010. To begin with, the standards and the relevant elements should be the target for evaluation. Therefore, evaluation should measure the content, intellect and outlook reflected by the elements and the evidence which may be used to analyze particular elements. The principles for assessment include; Measurement of the content Competence and disposition projected in the elements Sampling of critical skill and knowledge embedded in the standards Measurement of complex ideas Intelligent reasoning and upper cognitive requirements. Importantly, assessment should correspond to the element of each standard (International Reading Association 43). Conclusion The significance of literacy coaches is increasing in schools across all grades from Kindergarten to grade 12. Since this is a developing profession, there exists fresh excitement concerning possibility of improvement with regar d to literacy instruction and improvement in student achievement. This has resulted from formalization in school guidance. Based on the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the International Reading Association (IRA), these professionals are undertaking various tasks in schools. They are concerned with assessment of students, instructional planning and coaching (Rita Deford 1). Cleveland Heights. University height city school district browser. Literacy coaches. University Heights, OH: Miramar Boulevard. 2010.Web. International Reading Association. Standards for reading professionals. New York: International Reading Association, 2010.Print. Rita, Bean and Deford, Diane. Do’s and don’ts for literacy coaches advice from field. Literacy South Carolina: Coaching Clearing House, 2009. Print.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sturtevant, Elizabeth. The literacy coach: a key to improving teaching and learning in secondary  schools. Merrill: Prentice Hall, 2000. Web.