The Blind Side( Michael Oher)

Michael Oher is an immense human being. At the age of sixteen, he had a 20-inch neck, 50-inch waist, and a 58-inch chest. Larger measurements, that is, than every single member of the Washington Redskins. This fact alone meant that his final years in high school, Oher was the focus of attention of college coaches across America – grown men taking detours of hundreds of miles to watch him practice, in the hope of persuading him to play for their team. Had these coaches the power to design a prototypical left tackle, Oher’s six-foot-five, 330-pound frame would have been pretty close to their model. And yet the fact that he was even still at high school was, in itself, nothing short of a miracle. The focal point of Michael Lewis’s The Blind Side is the story of Oher’s transition from a teenager so neglected by society that the Memphis school board can’t really account for his academic record to an eighteen-year-old college recruit with the potential for earning millions when he hits the NFL draft (which he will do this April). Though Oher is the main narrative thrust, the book is a wide-ranging examination of the culture of American football, its tactical development, and most importantly of all, its uneasy relationship with the US educational system. Oher is one of sixteen siblings born in the poorest (black) parts of Memphis. The determination of a friend’s father to get his own son into one of the elite (white) Christian schools quite literally changes the course of Michael’s life. Though he has no education to speak of, the Tuohy family take him under their wing, eventually adding him to their will. Oher does not excel at school; after sixteen years where formal education has made little impact on his life, this is scarcely surprising. Yet in some remarkably moving passages, Lewis shows the before, and transmits their joy when they realise that despite his taciturn nature, he has actually been absorbing the material he’s been taught in class. Success in the classroom is, ultimately, vital for Michael’s future. For although his millions will come through his physical strength, and his ability to protect the quarterback (American football’s most valuable position), the development of a professional sportsmen is inextricably intertwined with the education system. The condition of his being accepted by his high school was greater academic achievement; unless his grade point average reaches a certain level, he won’t be allowed to go to college – no matter how many coaches are desperate for him to play. The subject of the relationship between high school sports and educational achievement has been covered before. Buzz Bissinger’s ‘Friday Night Lights’, which has since been the inspiration for a movie and a TV series, followed a high school team in Texas for a season. Far from the saccharine, wholesome version of schooldays that we are accustomed to, Bissinger painted an unhappy and controversial portrait – of a white community interested in black children only so far as they could help compete for the state championship; a school with $5,000 for the English department but $70,000 for travel to away matches; allegations of pain-killers being used illegally to get injured teenagers playing as soon as possible. Such was the controversy the book caused that Bissinger, who had spent a year in the town, didn’t return until 20 years later. The Blind Side has a more uplifting tale at its heart. Yet this does not stop it from being an unsettling story. The Tuohys are accused of taking Michael into their lives solely to ensure that he can play for their alma mater by college football’s regulatory body. This body exists to try and ensure that (nominal) academic standards are upheld by college athletes, but Oher and the Tuohys are subject to an invasive investigation, despite the fact Oher would be nowhere near college were it not for the Tuohys. Oher’s coaches do not cover themselves in glory, either; the high school head coach is clearly angling for a job at the college level, and will try and pressure Michael into choosing the college most likely to further his own prospects. Most unsettling of all, though, is Lewis’s stark portrayal of the alternative life he might have led. Going into Hurt Village, Memphis, Lewis tells the story of a broken community ravaged by drug gangs and grinding poverty. He also retells the story of ‘Big Zach’, who in the 1990s had attracted the same interest from college scouts that Michael Oher was. Yet Big Zach didn’t have an adoptive family to push him to work hard at high school; he dropped out before he could make it to college, and now looks back on what might have been. It is in this wider picture that The Blind Side truly excels. Oher is the sort of kid who you can’t help but root for. It is a pleasure to read of his transformation in so many facets of his life, and you put the book down hoping that he is as successful in the NFL as his coaches hope for. But there are deeper questions at the heart of this book that are not so easily resolved. It is clear that Oher has a remarkable capacity for absorbing knowledge and copying it – that is the secret of his success academically and athletically. Were it not for a freakish set of circumstances, however, he would still be on the wrong side of the tracks in Memphis, let down by the indifference of the education system. Moreover, Oher has been redeemed because he is a remarkable physical specimen. How many children have the same capacity to learn but are lost forever because they lack the potential to be an NFL superstar is a sobering thought. When even high school football can be the path to riches for all kinds of coaches and scouts, one feels for the children who miss out as a result of these priorities – both the children who are prevented from being paid for their athletic skill, and those whose educational development is considered a lower priority than sporting silverware.

Reimbursment

The first party is the patient, second party is physician, and third party Is the health plan. 2. Compare the LACK and CPRM payment systems. I-JAR and CPRM are based on data from past claims. Private Insurance companies used OCCUR method, and Medicare used CPRM. 3. Describe the two purposes of managed care. The purpose for managed care plans are to reduce the costs of healthcare for which the third-party payer must reimburse the providers and to ensure continuing quality f care. . Why have many insurers replaced retrospective health Insurance plan with group plans such as Homo's and Poop's? To help control the cost, with Homos you have a fixed rate for the coverage you received for medical care and with POS you have a primary care provider that manages your healthcare and quality of the healthcare you receive. Both Homos and POS have a prepaid health plan and physicians that are under contract with an organization. 5. What are advantages of 1.Insurers pool premium payment for all the insured in a group, then use actuarial data to calculate the group's premiums so that: B. The pool is large enough to pay losses of the entire group. 2. Where and when did health insurance become established in the United States. It became established in 1929, when Blue Cross first covered school teachers in Texas. 3. All of the following are types of episode-of-care reimbursement except: Self- insured plan 4. What discounted fee schedule does Medicare use to reimburse physicians?Resource-based relative value scale REVS 5. Name and describe some versions of the global payment method. Home care services reimbursement By Giovanni is the patient, second party is physician, and third party is the health plan. 2. Compare the CUR and CPRM payment systems. CUR and CPRM are based on data from past claims. Private insurance companies used CUR method, and Medicare used CPRM.

The role of unstable political structures on the effects of Essay

The role of unstable political structures on the effects of deregulation on competition - Essay Example This literature looks in detail the effects of political instability in the region in attracting foreign investment in the region. The telecommunication industry in UAE has shown incredible progress, this has been propelled by the government's effort intended at the deregulation of telecommunication market and bringing in competition. This has been an initiative of Telecommunication regulatory authority (TRA) which aims at enhancing competition in UAE telecommunication market. The literature looks in depth the flourishing telecom sector in UAE and gives an insight of market trends dominating telecommunication market (Jones; 46; 2006). Political willpower in UAE has also been criticized due to its failure to create conducive environment for economic players to venture in its market. Corruption in Middle East has also been a major hindrance in creating a fair play environment for investors. The literature focuses specifically on UAE liberalization of its telecommunication industry. It looks in detail effects of deregulation in UAE telecommunication market in bringing competition (Ritchie; 123; 1994). United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation made up of seven self-governing states. UAE was declared independent in 1971 from Britain. In November 2004 president Sheikh Zavid Ibn Sultan Al Nuhayyan died ending 33 years of power since independence. His son Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayid Al Nuhayyan who had been prince of Abu Dhabi succeeded his father in a smooth transition. UAE has enjoyed political stability through combination of a unique political system, which is made up of a mixture of traditional and modern administrative structures. There are no democratically chosen political parties as well as institutions. The UAE government has been under criticism by human rights group for restricting freedom of speech and that of press. The Media does not criticize its government directly also freedom of speech and religion has also been curtailed in the Islamic run country. The government has put in place a law that allows ministry of information to approve the selected editors and to license all publications. The law also controls press content and press is expected to practice self censorship (WTO; 2009). Those who comment negatively against Islam, ruling families and the government risk life imprisonment. All imported materials are reviewed by ministry of information and culture before it is distributed. Membership in the professional body of journalists (Association of journalists) is restricted to those who only work for the government run media companies. UAE telecom is one of the most developed markets with highly technological advanced infrastructure in Middle East. However until 2007 UAE's telecommunication industry had been dominated by one company, Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat).Another company by name Emirates Integrated Telecommunication company (EITC) running by brand "du" was installed to manage telecom services in UAE (Frauke; 139; 2004). Conceptual issues: Political instability

Does more calculus improve student learning in intermediate micro and Essay

Does more calculus improve student learning in intermediate micro and macroeconomic theory - Essay Example Does learning calculus really improve learning micro and macroeconomics theory The question seems important to improve the student performance in economics theory. This will also help in understanding why the student with poor calculus understanding finds it hard to grasp the concepts in micro and macroeconomic theory. The calculus itself is a very vast topic categorized in to two parts the differential and integral calculus. Which of these two parts share close proximity with economics theory The undergraduate economics prerequisite should be specifically for differential or integral or for both In the following paragraphs I intend to address this question of significance of calculus learning for the intermediate students learning micro and macroeconomic theory by replicating the article, "Does more calculus improve student learning in intermediate micro and macroeconomic theory", Co-authored by J.S. Butler, T. Aldrich Finegan and John J. Siegfried from the department of economics, university of Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN 37235, USA, published in the journal o f applied econometrics , mar/apr 1998; 13,2. The students records of nearly all the Vanderbilt university undergraduates who entered the college of Arts and Science as freshmen during the August 1983 -1986 and studied Microeconomic theory (micro -2) or intermediate Macroeconomic theory (macro -2)or both, constituted the d... The independent variable here is the calculus course taken by the students. Depending on the variety of calculus course available the key independent variables were seven namely Math 170, Math 171A-B, Math 172 A-B, Math 221 A-B and Math 222. The dependent variable is performance in micro-2 and macro -2. A two stage estimation procedure was used to cope with the problem of selection bias. In the first stage ordered probit model was used to predict the highest level of calculus attained by each student prior to taking each intermediate theory course. In the second stage the grades in Micro-2 or Macro-2 (the dependent variable)is regressed on the actual level of the calculus attained (independent variable). This can be written in simple words as the grades earned in the calculus course are used to predict the grade in the economic course. The ability and motivation of the students became the control variables. The ordinary least square estimation is used as there are twelve categories of grades depicting cardinal measure of performance. The ordered probit was appropriate for the purpose of this study as the various calculus courses can be ordered in accordance with the difficulty of the course material covered, whereas the difference in the courses can't be measured cardinallly. Indivi duals are the units of abservation. Table one Calculus courses taken by Vanderbilt undergraduates: descriptions and ranking in the ordered probit Course (credit hours) Description Math 170 (4) Analytic Geometry and calculus: A basic course in rudiments of analytic geometry and differential and integral calculus, with emphasis on application. Designed for students who do not plan to further study the calculus. No background in

Kino and Juana's reaction after finding the pearl Essay

Kino and Juana's reaction after finding the pearl - Essay Example Waste treatment is hazardous should also get opposed in the neighborhood. The deep injector, as well as the waste incinerator, possess threats to humanity, therefore, should be opposed from being constructed in the society (Barrow 34). There should be set up strategies to regulate the solid waste. One of the strategies is the location restriction. The strategy should ensure that the landfills get constructed in the most suitable areas. Another strategy is the operating practices. It incorporates the covering as well as compacting waste with soil to eliminate odor. There should also be the monitoring requirements on the ground water. The water should be tested constantly to ensure there is no escape of the waste materials from the landfills (Barrow 44). Among the strategies that should be used is the creation of public awareness on the waste strategies. Infrastructure should also be improved to hold hazardous waste. There should also be the establishment of the council to assess and also regulate toxic substances. The state should also take a major role towards the prevention of waste and use of toxic products by consumers. Water is a basic necessity of a man alongside being an economic good. Raising its cost means that people who earn low income will not manage to handle it and, therefore, raising the price of water should get opposed. Government subsidies that enhance farmers to access water at affordable prices should not get withdrawn since it will affect both the lives of farmers together with the economy of the state. Provision of government subsidies that will enhance efficiency in irrigation should be encouraged since it will improve people’s life as well as enhancing economic growth (Barrow 54). There are various human activities that accelerate flooding. Blasting is one of the human activities that cause flooding. It results to landslides in hill and mountain slopes that may result in damming of streams and rivers. There should

Prepare a report to the Managing Director, including appropriate links Essay

Prepare a report to the Managing Director, including appropriate links to theory, detailing the strategy for the planning and control of the research and development department - Essay Example Budgeting is effective in dealing with unanticipated expenses and emergencies. Once a plan is in place it can be used for measuring the progress of goal achievement (Freedom Debt Management, n.d.; College of Business Administration, 2008). At the time of preparing the budgets it is important to categorize the expenses such as fixed expenses, variable expenses and discretionary expenses. The discretionary expenses are not absolutely necessary for business survival. Necessary adjustments are done in these form of expenses i.e. they are reduced to honour the other types of expenditures. In any business there are two types of costs discretionary costs and non-discretionary costs. It is easy to understand the discretionary costs like payment of rent or electric bill but the discretionary costs are less clear. The discretionary costs include the alteration, construction, research and development etc. Besides the discretionary and non-discretionary costs there are other types of costs such as controllable and uncontrollable costs. So a budget comprises of costs that are discretionary, non-discretionary, controllable and uncontrollable (Cotts & Rondeau, 2004, pp. 59). Budget conveys the authority of the manager to allocate a specified amount on the items that are enlisted in the budget. The appropriations in the budget act as the benchmark for a comparison with the costs that are actually incurred. Expenditures of a budgeted category are matched with the pre-set amounts in deciding any over or under spending of funds and if needed corrective action are initiated (KU School of Social Welfare, n.d.). For the control of discretionary costs the top management must translate the policies and objectives that it considers vital for the organizational success. The management then must make a plan of the spending relating to the discretionary activities that will help in achieving the defined business objectives. There can be

China Country Profile Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

China Country Profile - Term Paper Example China’s political system is very much in the hands of bureaucrats and government officials. One has to rely on them to get business done- this is due to the tradition of ‘guanxi’ (Tian n.d) which is about maintaining good relations with the Chinese. In China, it is not the law that matters but the people in power and their interpretation of the law. Due to this very practice, free trade agreements and ease of starting business in China still rests in the hands of bureaucrats and how well one maintains terms with them. Due to government interferences, tariff rates are high but recently, due to globalization, tariff rates have been lowered down in China. Strengthening the ‘reform’ policy (Tian n.d), rates of applicable taxes have also been reduced which has created a favorable environment for new business in China. Economically, China is growing at a rocketing speed and is soon coveted to be the world’s biggest economy beating the US. The average income of Chinese is increasing which signals growth in the demand of consumables and house-hold products. Due to housing subsidies introduced, real estate sector is also booming in China. Socially, China is a very business-favorable nation. Its population reduces doubts of shortage of customers and target markets. Literacy rate is also high in China which means upscale products can easily be produced and marketed. Chinese people prefer products and items carrying the first-mover advantage with them. Urban population in China emphasizes on brand while the rural population is more inclined towards price and quality of products. Due to fast paced urbanization, trend of stylish and high-priced products has picked up in China. It is also a proven fact that due to corruption in China, people tend to report lower income levels than what they actually possess (Tian n.d). Hence, the actual income levels are higher than expected in China thereby highlighting greater disposable income and spending power. China