Act of vandalism - Graffiti Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Act of vandalism - Graffiti - Term Paper Example One reason why graffiti is often considered to have little artistic merit is that it is often done by young people who are still developing and practicing their artistic abilities. There is no guarantee that just because someone has the ability to graffiti that their work will necessarily be any good in the artistic sense however this is defined. Graffiti is connected with gangs who use tags to mark their territories, often to warn off other gangs as described by the web page Graffiti Art. In Northern Ireland large wall paintings, often on gable ends, serve as territorial markers between the different sectarian groups. In New York it appears on sub way cars. Sometimes graffiti, especially tags, which came into prominence in the1990’s, is used as a form of initiation, especially if in a hard to reach place. This gives it associations with both serious organized crime such drug dealing, as well as anti social behavior and what are seen as the more serious acts of vandalism such as smashing windows arson. Although some spectacular graffiti is done using spray cans, most is done on such places as toilet walls or back seats of buses, either by scratching into a surface using a sharp object (this type of graffiti is undoubtedly vandalism as it damages) or using a pen or pens. The aim of top graffiti artists such as Banksy in the United Kingdom, and is to create their own unique and recognizable style and to have their pieces in prominent places where they will attract attention.

Why i am for the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT Assignment

Why i am for the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT - Assignment Example llars of accountability for results; an emphasis on doing what works based on scientific research; expanded parental options; and expanded local control and flexibility. While all of this sounds positive, it is the accountability for results that most disturbs given the fact that test results equal federal funds, not a positive carrot in my opinion for the achievement of educational excellence. The statement by President Bush (2001) is at the heart of what I see as a very serious flaw in the mandate pertaining to its emphasis on testing which he calls. ...â€Å"the essence of excellence [and the means of judging that] in education....† (para 7).The U.S. Department of Education USDE insists No Child Left Behind puts a special emphasis on implementing educational programs and practices that have been clearly demonstrated to be effective through rigorous scientific research. While all of this sounds promising, other aspects of a test-oriented program by which the fate of districts rise or fall is a frightening one considering what is at stake—again, federal funding. While reps Becky Fleischauer from the National Education Association (NEA) (2002) claims that â€Å"we will begin to see testing and accountability and teacher quality† (para. 2), other experts have a very different take that does not instill the same confidence, especially when it comes to testing. Education expert James Pophan (2010) found the following: â€Å"An astonishing amount of cheating is taking place on the tests that measure progress†(para. 1), rendering psychometric guidelines touted as produced through â€Å"rigorous scientific research† by psychometric experts virtually worthless. Shockingly various instances of educator cheating range from teachers allowing students more than the allotted time, to the administration of pre-tests with actual final test questions. I find this quite disturbing given these tests are supposed to accurately predict student and district achievement. Other issues