Analysis Questions: Standardized Testing

Is standardized testing necessary to measure and evaluate what students have learned? Why or why not?

I don't think so because there are some kids that are really good in school but are not good at taking tests which would make these tests unfair to those students. Also the day of the test what if the student is having a bad day and just can't focus fully and they don't do well. The test shouldn't tell the student whether they can move up in school or not.

Should students be denied promotion or diplomas based on the results of one test? Why or why not?

I don't think so at all because it isn't fair to the students who worked really hard all year in school and kept their grades up for them to be told you have to pass this test or you can't get promoted to the next grade or receive your diploma.

Does standardized testing make teachers more accountable for what their students learn? Explain.

I think the answer is no not at all because the child or student can be learning everything in the class and do well there and not on the test. 

In what ways can standardized tests be unfair to disadvantaged or minority students?

These tests can be unfair by basically making or breaking a students school career. These students go to school everyday and work hard to keep their grades up in the classes and then they have to take a test that basically tells them that what they are doing in their classes isn't good enough to let them move on in school so they need to do really good on this test in order to be able to be promoted or to receive their diploma.

Analysis Questions: Drunk Driving

Should states adopt stricter penalties for drivers who refuse to take a BAC test? Why or why not?

I believe they should because if drivers are refusing to take the BAC test then there is a something they are hiding to not get in trouble. The states should push harder to enforce this because it could help save lives.

Should laws be enacted that require ignition-interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders? Why or why not?

I think that it depends on the person and the amount of times they were charged with DUI. If the person has multiple charges then yes they should have this device but if it is only the first time i think they should have another chance. If after the first charge they do it again then yes because it can save many many people.

Do you think DUI checkpoints should be used more often and in more places? Explain.

I do think that DUI checkpoints should be used more often because then it would be easier to determine whether or not law enforcement thinks a person is driving under the influence or not and whether or not to test the persons BAC.

Describe other measures you think could be implemented to reduce drunk driving.

Other measures would be in a bar or club where there is a lot of drinking the bartender should find out how the people got there and if they drove they should only be served a very limited amount.

Analysis Questions: Divorce

Should couples stay together in a troubled marriage rather than divorce? Why or why not?
I believe that couples should not stay together in a troubled marriage because that only makes each person involved miserable. People deserve to be happy and if they are not happy in the marriage then end it and move on.

Are there any reasons why couples should divorce? Explain.

 Some reasons are growing apart, feeling unloved and unappreciated, and troubles with finances . The reason being that they lead to fights and unhappiness.

What steps do you think the government should take to encourage marriage and lower the divorce rate?

I think the government shouldn't stress out the general public because that leads to fights and stresses the couples. They should also fix the economy and less wars because that also relieves stress on couples.

What impact does divorce have on society?

The impact divorce has on society is mainly on the children of the divorced parents because it makes them have different views on marriage.

Analysis Questions: Alcoholism

1. Should alcoholism be viewed as a disease or an addiction? Explain.                                              I believe that alcoholism is an addiction and to me an addiction is an illness. Illnesses need to be treated and if alcoholism isn't treated it can get very out of hand in my opinion.
2. Should alcoholics be held solely responsible for their drinking habits? Why or why not?            No i don't think so because i personally believe it is an addiction which is an illness and a person can't control getting an illness.
3. Should moderation treatment options be offered to alcoholics?                                                     I don't think so because alcoholism is an addiction which means the person should get help to completely stop so that they don't have a relapse or risk of relapsing.

Analysis Questions: ADHD

What is the best course of treatment for ADHD?

The best course of treatment for ADHD depends on the person. If the symptoms are severe they should be treated with medication and if they aren't as severe then the person should consult a doctor on what treatments are available.
Do you believe ADHD is an actual psychiatric disorder? Why or why not?

Yes i do believe ADHD is an actual psychiatric disorder because i don't think kids want to have diffuclty staying
focused, paying attention, controlling their behavior and being to hyper.                                                                                                                 Are children being overmedicated? Explain your answer.                                                                            I think this question depends on the child. If the child has mild symptoms and are being heavily medicated then yes then are being overmedicated but if the child has severe symptoms and are being heavily medicated then no they are not.

For and Against

ADHD-
Are children being overmedicated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?

I feel that some kids are overmedicated but it all depends on the child and the symptoms that child has. If the child has severe symptoms then the doctor and the parent should talk about medications that can help him/her, but if the child's symptoms aren't that severe the doctor and the parent should talk about different ways to help the child learn to control the symptoms or help the child with those symptoms.

Alcoholism-
Is alcoholism caused by a lack of willpower?

To me the answer is no because i feel that alcoholism is an illness that people need help to stop. Willpower can play a roll to certain people but i feel that it is an addiction and an addiction to me is an illness that needs to be treated by going to some place like rehab.

Divorce-
Should laws be enacted that make divorce harder to obtain?

I feel that creating laws to make divorce harder to get will only cause problems with Thousands of people in America because if someone is unhappy in their marriage then they shouldn't be married anymore.

Drunk Driving-
Should tougher DUI laws be enacted?

I feel that there should be tougher DUI laws because driving under the influence of alcohol is killing not just teenagers or young adults but innocent people who are nearby. Having tougher DUI laws would make people not want to drive under the influence knowing that there are tougher conciquences, which would save lives.

Standardized Tests-
Are standardized tests the best way to measure how well a school is doing?

I feel that it is not the best way because there are many students who are excellent in class but are bad test takers. For those kids it isn't fair to have to take a test that makes or breaks their school career which then hurts the schools reputation. 

5 Potential Research Topics

1. ADHD- The reason i chose this was because many of my family members have it and i want to learn more about it.

2. Alcoholism- The reason i chose this was because some of my family members struggle with it and learning more about it would help me help them.

3. Divorce- The reason I chose this is because my parents are divorced and so many couples in this country and the world are getting divorces i think it would interesting to learn how to deal with it and many causes.

4. Drunk Driving-  The reason i chose this is because this is happening more and more today and there needs to be reasons and ways to stop it to not kill so many people.

5. Standardized Tests- The reason i chose this is because i find it unfair that a single test can make or break your college career. Some kids are bad test takers and it isn't fair to those kids.