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Discuss the perspectives of Coleman and Jencks and Eric Hanushek v. Hedges, Laine and Greenwald
Discuss the perspectives of Coleman and Jencks and Eric Hanushek v. Hedges, Laine and Greenwald. Also, make reference to other cited studies and other researcher contributions to this debate. When considering these perspectives, select one of these two positions MONEY MATTERS (in education and in student performance gains) vs. MONEY DOES NOT MATTER (in education and in student performance gains). In other words, does money have or not have a direct positive effect on schools and student performance? Once you have selected this position, please justify and explain your choice in some detail. (Note that this question shall be the basis of the course’s first evaluative discussion).
The debate on the impact of school funding on student achievement is yet to be exhaustively concluded. The researchers still have to approve that there is linear relationship between school funding and improved student outcomes. Additionally, there have been flaws in the research process including poor research design, data entry errors etc.
Studies by Coleman showed that school funding and quality indicators had little positive effect in overcoming the negative impact of the home environment. In his study he examined factors pertaining racial inequality, quality indicators like qualifications of the teachers, curriculum and test scores all within the context of socio-economic status. Hanushek, argues in his research that increased funding has little impact of school achievement. According to him when schools have increased funding, much of that money goes to things such as increased personnel spending and this would not be expected to improve student outcomes. Hanushek further argues that the evidence supporting smaller class size and qualified teachers is weak. Research conducted by Summers and Wolf, attempted to refute the Coleman report. Summers and Wolf studied 627, 6th grade students in Philadelphia and found that variables such as class size; teacher preparation and other factors positively impact student achievement. In contrast, the research conducted by Hedges, Laine and Greenwald revealed a positive impact of resources on student achievement such as amount spent per pupil, smaller schools and variables such as class-size. Raymond and Hanushek state that researcher bias related to student outcomes is a problem and that new data supports that reforms such as strong accountability systems has proven positively impacting student achievement. Grissmer’s analysis reveals that targeted expenditures can raise achievement scores especially among disadvantaged students.
Money does have an impact on student achievement if it is used wisely. I hold the view that specific expenditures such as improving access to technology; enhancing teacher preparation and emphasizing on professional development activities, smaller classes and smaller schools do have a positive impact on student achievement. Additionally, there should be stricter accountability systems established to monitor rate of progress as well as overall achievement of students. Effective monitoring systems in place schools will be more crucial in monitoring their programs and can make changes and adaptations to enhance student learning.
2Identify and explain the inevitable outcomes when schools received more (or less) money. Defend your explanations.
How much money is enough? No one knows the answer to this question as no district has ever had enough money (Childs and Shakeshaft). Typically when schools have an increase in funding, the result is increased personnel expenditures in the form of more teachers or salary increases and we cannot promise that more teachers or better-paid teachers will lead to improved student outcomes. Yet some of the money would go to other school needs. These needs including improved technology, building repair and maintenance, updated curriculum and other teacher supports. It is not possible to state that these non-personnel expenditures have no positive impact on student achievement. Physical environment is important to staff and student morale and high quality teaching materials enhance student interest in learning.
Some argue that less money should be given to schools because no direct evidence linking spending to student achievement. I think the greater good would be to look at how we are spending our money. There is evidence extravagant spending (at least in my district). Where and how we spend our money matters, simply throwing tax dollars around and asking for more is not good practice. Many people are calling for alternatives to public education because of the belief that money is not spent wisely and their children are not learning. It is incumbent on us as educators and stewards of public monies to use the funds in a thoughtful way that is results driven and targets student learning in meaningful ways.
3.Describe in some detail the structural contributions of public school funding from federal, state, and local governments
The bulk of the school funding come from federal, state and local government, most of the Federal funding comes through discretionary spending set by congress through appropriations. The two biggest programs are NCLB (Title 1 grants) and IDEA (special education grants). The Dept. of Agriculture funds school nutrition programs: the Dept. of Health funds Head Start and the Dept of Labor funds Youth Employment and training programs.
State funding is primarily generated from income and state taxes and distributes it through distribution and level funding procedures they set forth. Most funding formulas are based on the number of students in a district. Some funding formulas are weighted according to such factors as the number of students with disabilities, number of ESL students or the number of students living in poverty. Every state has its own funding formula.
Local funding is generated primarily through property taxes. This can be challenging as areas with wealthier residents and more businesses generate more revenue. Poorer areas may have higher taxes but often generate less revenue.
4.Define the concepts of fundamental right, equal protection, and education articles of state constitutions
Fundamental rights are those rights that belong to all humans-based on set of basic, fundamental or inalienable rights.
Equal Protection- is a clause, part of the 14th amendment to the US constitution. In 1868 the constitution was amended to read that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law. All citizens must be treated in the same manner as others in similar situations. Section I clause VII of this amendment prohibits the states from denying equal protection of the law. The law must protect individuals in similar manner under homogeneous conditions and circumstances. ……………………………….. …………………………………(What-else can you write about the concept of equal protection? What clause in the 14th amendment summarizes the concept of ‘equal protection’?)
Education Articles of State Constitutions are the legal guidelines for the provision of education in the state. It addresses all, areas pertaining to education, funding, service provision, in some instances class size, teacher qualification, transportation etc.
5.Explain the legal issues and judicial arguments emphasizing the concepts of FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT and EQUAL PROTECTION behind the rulings of state and federal court cases prior to and including 1973. In particular, explain the significance of the US Supreme Court decision in San Antonio v. Rodriquez.
In the case San Antonio Vs Rodriguez, the plaintiffs charged that the Texas method of school funding violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment by discriminating against the class of poor and therein violated their right to an equal education. The Supreme Court ruled that individual income did not mean that the district was poor. They further ruled that since no child was denied an education, Texas had not created a suspect class related to poverty. They rejected education as a fundamental right as they saw no link between education and other rights in the US Constitution.
6.Starting with the Robinson v. Cahill (1973) case, explain the outcomes of state-based litigation when these cases relied on the legal strategy of using the EDUCATION ARTICLES OF STATE CONSTITUTIONS.
Plaintiffs began to experience success in the area of funding reform beginning with Robinson v Cahill. The NJ Supreme Court overturned the school funding system by using the education articles of the state constitution, which demanded a thorough and efficient system of schools. It ruled that this violate the states equal protection clause because of the lack of equalization in revenues. In the Wyoming case of Washakie, the court agreed with the plaintiff’s argument that equality of education is related to money. This was based on the fact that the state constitution was more demanding than federal equal protection laws. In 1988, the Texas Supreme Court rule in Edgewood that education was a fundamental right. There were challenges Edgewood I, II, and III and the state tried to improve equity and adequacy in school funding by tapping resources from the wealthier states and redistributing it to the poorer districts. The wealthier schools districts sued under West Orange-Cove arguing that the state imposed property tax cap designed to limit funding disparities was unconstitutional. . A trial ruled rule that both the funding system and the property tax cap were unconstitutional. The supreme court ruling on San Antonio vs. Rodriquez that education is not fundamental right was informed by the fact the education was not mention in the federal constitution and education was mention in constitution as part of national culture. The judges informed by this condition declared that during the reinstitution of the 14th amendment education was not declared part of national culture. Texas Supreme Court ruled that education in a fundamental right because Texas State had instituted education reforms on public school system finance. This public spending system sought to provide each child basic minimum education.……………………………………………………………….{ Why did the Texas Supreme Court rule that education was a fundamental right in Edgewood I – III when in fact the Supreme Court rule in San Antonio v. Rodriquez that education did not constitute a fundamental right? This is an important question to establish clarity.}
Current skills that match up with the marketing careers (2)
Little Yellow Bird’s Request for Proposal
Summary
Little Yellow Bird issues a request for proposal so as to select and contract a company or vendor to create a new product line made of repurposed clothing in line with the green marketing and sustainability campaign. The new product line requires that the vendor understands the demands of young consumers in the current market, creates a highly attractive, yet sustainable design, and ensure that the new product is aligned to the green marketing approach that Little Yellow Bird uses to communicate its sustainability goals and corporate social responsibility to the consumers and other key stakeholders. Little Yellow Bird is seeking proposals from experienced and highly skilled startup companies in the clothing sector that focuses on repurposing and recycling materials and clothing in line with the demands of the circular economy to reduce the reliance and depletion of the environment. The chosen strategic vendor and partner will be a firm that has a similar drive to ensure sustainability and to see green marketing actualized in the clothing industry. The RFP does not obligate Little Yellow Bird to award the contract to any organization to complete the project. The company reserves every right to cancel any dealings and communications as long as they serve the best interests of the stakeholders.
Background of Company/Organization
Little Yellow Bird is one of the most sustainable business organizations in New Zealand. The company, founded in 2015, focuses on clothing items. Samantha Jones, the founder, saw an opportunity in the uniform distribution sector, partnering with more than 400 organizations to produce and sell employee uniforms. Little Yellow Bird is a social enterprise with a strong commitment to ethical manufacturing (Little Yellow Bird, 2021), and with the intention to transform the NZ fashion industry towards becoming a part of the circular economy. The company uses organic raw materials, including cotton and sisal, and promotes the benefits of the same to other players in the industry. As a huge part of its green marketing strategy, Little Yellow Bird educates entities in its supply chain to embrace organic processes in production and sourcing due to the elimination of the need to use chemical pesticides and reduced reliance on water (Little Yellow Bird, 2021). As a social startup in a competitive market in NZ, Little Yellow Bird has a bright revenue growth model focusing on green marketing and sustainable production and corporate social responsibility. One of the biggest selling points for the company is how it follows up on sustainability practices from sourcing of raw materials to production, and distribution. It provides ways for consumers to sustainably repurpose used clothing items, trade in unused apparel, and ensure that all products bought are organic and made in ways that are friendly to the environment. Little Yellow Bird is focused on tackling the biggest challenge in the 21st century relating to sustainability and showing how small home-grown firms can make an impact on the global scene, through green marketing a sustainable business model that is leading the way for future startups.
Statement of Objectives
Little Yellow Bird is looking to partner with suppliers in the repurposed clothes sector. Specifically, the company is looking for an established fir that repurposes used clothing items to add such in the product offering for Little Yellow Bird. In line with the green marketing approach and a focus on sustainability, Little Yellow Bird intends to expand its operations to include a repurposed products distribution line. As more organizations work towards improving their bottom line through sustainable businesses practices and models, the firm has identified a market gap that is a core part of the circular economy. According to Konuk (2018), young consumer groups have access to more information relating to products and therefore they attach more importance to issues regarding sustainable production and environmental protection. Green marketing and green practices are very attractive to such consumer groups. In line with the green marketing approach and a focus on sustainability, Little Yellow Bird aims to partner with other firms that will enable it to increase the awareness about green products and green marketing to different consumer groups and implement eco-advertising strategies to promote green products and practices with an intention of influencing the purchasing decisions of young consumers. Therefore, Little Yellow Bird’s overall intention is to see its products and processes come full circle through partnering with like-minded vendors to enable the firm realize its circular economy objectives through introducing a line of repurposed clothing and apparel. The award will be given to a partnering firm that meets these objectives. More specifically, the following objectives are the main guides for Little Yellow Bird:
Attracting partners who have already implemented the concept of green marketing
To demonstrate the need to include repurposed clothing items as part of the company’s sustainability and green marketing agenda
To reach young consumers through innovative ideas relevant to the current issues on sustainability and global environmental conservation efforts
Rationale/Importance of Research
Among the key objectives of a sustainable business model is to ensure business continuity and profit making in the long term. At Little Yellow Bird, the main idea is to have an exemplary business model and a marketing strategy that is aligned to the ultimate goal of ensuring sustainability and green production. For an organization to meet its long term objectives, there is a need for sound marketing strategies. Little Yellow Bird uses green marketing as a means to communicate its product offerings and value proposition to the consumers and other stakeholders. Green marketing allows the firm to be an active participant in the bid to change the current condition of the planet for the better and additionally support initiatives aligned to these goals (Chou et al., 2020). Green marketing is more than just the packaging to include creation of sustainable products, reducing the negative effect of waste products, and ensuring a business approach from sourcing to distribution that considers the impact of each stage on the environment (Harahap, Zuhriyah, & Rahmayanti, 2018). The major aim of green marketing is to help the target markets and consumers to understand the benefits of a sustainable product and processes and the commitment of an organization to the environment. Green marketing is also applauded by Martínez (2015) as an important platform to educate markets and consumers on sustainable consumption and the environment. In the current request for proposal, these objectives are merged to a need by the organization to partner with a vendor in the repurposing of clothes sector. One of the most efficient ways to ensure sustainability and to achieve the true aim of green marketing is to ensure that consumers are aware of the need to repurpose products and to reduce purchasing of one-time use products. By repurposing clothing items such as bed sheets, curtains, clothes, shoes, and other commonly used materials, consumers can help Little Yellow Bird to reduce production costs, reduce waste, and ensure that the environment is given enough time to recover.
To solve the issue of a lack of awareness on green marketing to consumers, it is important to partner with suppliers and organizations that have achieved what Little Yellow Bird wants to attain in terms of sustainability and efforts towards the same. In this research, the importance of green marketing to young consumers is explored in depth. The rationale for this selection is that more consumers are gaining information on the activities of a firm including sourcing and production details. A consumer is able to find out whether a brand actively uses sustainable business practices as well as environmental-friendly considerations in all of its processes. The young consumer groups are technology savvy and this allows them to have a lot of access to information. Therefore, the research wants to identify the effect of green marketing, specifically the use of repurposed products and green packaging, in influencing their buying behaviors.
Preferred Methodology
For this request for proposal a qualitative survey method will be applied for the vendor to survey key stakeholders and to use a data driven design approach to gather information to complete a comprehensive product for the required product. The overall aim for Little Yellow Bird is to collect information regarding the best ways to include repurposed clothing items in line with the companies green marketing and targeting young consumers with sustainable products. In this approach, structured interviews will be sent using online platforms for various organizations and vendors to get access. The interview questions will be guided, using a mix of both open and close ended questions. Questionnaires will be used to collect data from different participants. The open ended and the structured methodology used for the questionnaires is a critical element of qualitative surveys. It is preferred because it allows participants to be themselves and to answer questions from different perspectives. This affords the research with improved accuracy because the participants are not limited to a number of answers for the various questions presented. In marketing, a qualitative approach would be the best to use in order to collect and understand different attitudes of consumers in a way that would enable simultaneous presentation of individualized and a group-centred value propositions. The qualitative approach is also an efficient way to generate content because it gives rise to collection of genuine idea and sometimes new perspectives that would be important for research. For concepts relating to green marketing, qualitative interviews give insights that are specific to the sector. The open mindedness of the qualitative approach means that the method is always open to new data that participants are willing to provide. It benefits from the access of emotional data that is very crucial in the decision making process for various research participants.
Target of Population
Audiences targeted in the new product line include residents and visitors living or working in the urban areas in New Zealand, young consumers in universities and colleges, high school students in various programs that raise awareness on the environment, other clothing companies, all major companies that require uniforms for their employees, businesses in the distribution sector, non-profit agencies and government players that support local initiatives, appointed and elected officials, domestic and international media, and consumers in the fashion and clothing industry.
Geographic Scope
The geographic scope for this project is restricted to a national area where only New Zealand companies will be considered for the current project. The vendor will need to have a national reach, to at least all major cities and urban dwellings within the nation. This is in line with Little Yellow Bird’s aim for corporate social responsibility and to ensure that it partners with up and coming companies in the country to help in growth and development of the local industry.
Sample Source
The vendor will be required to attach a sample source as part of the RFP response in order for the company to try and test products that will be used for the upcoming marketing campaign.
Timeline and Milestones
The launch of the new product line (repurposed designs) will be the key note presentation in the next marketing phase in August of this year. The proposed green marketing and related ad campaigns will be all tailored towards ensuring the communication of a new brand in line with what Little Yellow Bird stands for in terms of sustainability and green practices in marketing and every other process. In the annual trade show held in August, the chosen vendor will be revealed as a part of the company’s future growth program in green marketing and related sustainability agendas that are not within the scope of the current RFP. Therefore, the RFP and every other related process must be ready before August 15, 2021. Completion of the RFP is scheduled to be before July 1, 2021 and the vendor selection process to begin immediately up to July 15, 2021. The launch of the product and the campaign will follow suit in the coming weeks before the main event in August 15, 2021.
Project Timeline Date
RFP Release May 30
Written Questions Due June 15
Responses to Vendor Questions June 20
Proposal Deadline June 25
Completion of Evaluations July 1
Presentations July 10
Final Selection July 15
Proposed Launch Date August 15
Deliverables
The deliverables for the RFP include a full financial report of the vendor, proposed design of the product line, design mapping, counter-designs relating to the main agenda, a sample competed project and product, statement of previous work, a breakdown of the budget, and the project governance plan. It is also recommended that a sample work organization structure or a partnership plan be provided as part of the proposal.
Criteria for Selection/Qualification Requirement
With the full knowledge that different proposals will be submitted back to the company, the different strengths, reputations or capabilities of the vendors will be weighed against a standard selection criteria. The main qualification requirements will be based on cost, quality, sustainability scoring, size and age of the company, industry, and ability to relate to the NZ domestic market. In the selected vendor, the company is looking for a firm that has been in operation for more than two years with a strong commitment to sustainable production, green marketing, and specifically in repurposing of clothing items for various uses. This criteria is the most important because it links to Little Yellow Bird’s value proposition and the next marketing campaign that will run for the foreseeable future. The next criterion is cost. Little Yellow Bird is looking for a partner who is aware of the need to reduce costs and to translate the same to consumers through a cost leadership structure. Thirdly, the company will be looking to partner with vendors with very high quality processes and products. While the repurposed clothing sector sounds like a bargain in terms of quality, the company does not compromise on its standards, whether on the freshly produced items or for the new category involving repurposed clothing. This requirements will be strictly enforced because it forms the basis of the entire green marketing idea, the provision of high quality products that are sustainable and always concerned of the environmental protection through processes and practices. The next criterion for selection is delivery and a distribution network that is localized for the NZ domestic market. Little Yellow Bird is looking for fast delivery and a reliable network of distribution. These four requirements will largely inform the company’s selection criteria, include other obvious selection standards such as registered firms, operational companies, and those that already have a footing in the NZ market. The following questions will be required for every proposer to include in their replies:
Examples of similar complex projects completed in the last 1.5 years
Client references relating to repurposed items of any form
Project timelines including main tasks and timelines
Project budget using line item
A plan for a responsive or mobile design
The above requirements will help in assessing the technical capacity of proposers, credibility, process, and to find out whether the proposers are familiar with current trends. It will help in gaining an insight into their technical expertise, communication, autonomy, flexibility, vision, and partnering to take the lead where necessary.
References
Chou, S. F., Horng, J. S., Liu, C. H. S., & Lin, J. Y. (2020). Identifying the critical factors of
customer behavior: An integration perspective of marketing strategy and components of attitudes. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 55, 102113.
Harahap, A., Zuhriyah, A., & Rahmayanti, H. (2018). Relationship between knowledge of green
product, social impact, and perceived value with green purchase behavior. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 74, p. 04002). EDP Sciences.
Konuk, F. A. (2018). The role of store image, perceived quality, trust, and perceived value in
Predicting consumers’ purchase intentions towards organic private label food. Journal ofRetailing and Consumer Services, 43, 304-310. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2018.04.011.
Little Yellow Bird. (2021). Available at https://littleyellowbird.com/
Martínez, P. (2015). Customer loyalty: exploring its antecedents from a green marketing
perspective. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
Eveready Company, Workforce Transportation Habits
Eveready Company, Workforce Transportation HabitsMEMO
TO: Ms. Suarez, CEOFROM: Insert Your NameDATE: Month Day, YearSUBJECT: Workforce Transportation Habits
Eveready Company is the largest employer in the private sector. It has 43,500 employees and this as affected the transport sector immensely. Traffic jams have been common issues in the past. This report analyses data collected from the employees on their perception and views on solutions to this issue. The data collected is analyzed below and possible solutions proposed. The data are grouped into four figures.
Figure 1: Employees’ Carpool Habits
Figure 2: Use of Public Transportation
Figure 3: Factors that would encourage employees use public sectors more frequently
Figure 4: Does the nature of your job allow telecommuting?
Recommendations
Solution 1 Use of subsided bus shuttles.
Figure 1 shows that 64% of the employees do not carpool. This shows that a bigger percentage of the employees do not share their cars. These people are ready to use public means of transport as shown in figure 3. Subsidization of the fares, improvement of cleanliness and reduce in commute times can greatly encourage the employees to use the public transportation. The company should sign an agreement with the competitive shuttle companies that are approaching it. The terms of the agreement should favor the company and the employees. The company should subsidize the cost and on the other hand the shuttle company should guarantee punctuality, cleanliness and safety of the workers.
Solution 2 Allow Telecommuting for some employee
According to figure 4, 57% of the employees can telecommute at one time or the other during the week. The company should allow some workers to telecommute. This will save the metropolitan the heavy traffic jam. This solution is logical since the output of the company will not be affected. This move should be accompanied with regulative measure to ensure than some employees do not evade doing their duties.
The above report is an indication that the problem of traffic jam can be solved in our metropolitan area if the company takes up the initiative. Telecommuting and encouraging the employees to use the shuttles are the answers to the traffic issue. Kindly consider inviting me to discuss the above recommendations.