Arming Pilots Essay Example for Free

Arming Pilots Essay After the September 11th attacks on America’s homeland, citizens became aware that action must be taken to protect passengers and pilots from terrorists. Although strict security measures have been put in place at all American airports, the only way to be certain that another terrorist attack does not occur using commercial aircraft lies in arming pilots with handguns. Not only will arming pilots help act as a preventative measure, it will ensure safer air travel and restore faith in America’s main form of long distance travel. Even though the number of hijackings is minuscule compared to the number of flights, arming pilots would be a first line of deterrence and a last line of defense. Some people may argue that other means should be used to stop hijackers, but as is the case with any illegal activity, if a person wants to commit a crime they will find the means. Therefore, the only way to prevent aircraft hijackings is with the use of guns. One alternative way that has been suggested is arming pilots with tasers, electric shock probes. These are considered problematic by many experts and do not guarantee bringing down a hijacker. As Criminal Justice expert Michael Swedemen said, â€Å"Had the pilots on the ill-fated planes on September 11th had stun guns, they might have dropped one of the hijackers, but the remaining three or four still would have overpowered the plane† (Dougherty, 2002, January 22). Arming pilots would also aid airlines in recovering from the economic downfall that has plagued the industry since the attacks. With armed pilots, passengers would know they are safe from any possibility of a hijacking and the only thing that might cause catastrophic damage would be an unforeseen mechanical problem. Should hijackers be among the passengers they could easily be brought down with guns similar to that of a defiant criminal. Opponents have argued that a stray bullet might penetrate the fuselage or inadvertently hit an innocent passenger. The Air Line Pilot’s Association has called for arming pilots using special ammunition that can kill an attacker but not pierce the fuselage (Dougherty, 2002, January 22). Hitting an innocent passenger is a risk that must be taken. One innocent life lost is far better than the possible countless losses on the hijacked aircraft and immanent destruction resulting on the ground. If passengers know that hijackers cannot take control of the plane, millions of Americans would once again begin flying which would improve economic conditions in a hurting industry. Other questions lie in the ability and mental state of a pilot to carry weapons. Senator Bob Smith (R-N. H. said, â€Å"Commercial pilots are trusted with the lives of thousands of Americans every day, and with proper training they could †¦ protect our skies from future acts of terrorism† (Dougherty, 2002, March 19). Pilots are some of the most mentally, physically, and psychologically tested people with hand/eye coordination that is among the best in any profession. Issuing firearms to pilots would, in effect, be like issuing a gun to a police officer. A pilot should be able to defend his aircraft instead of being left defenseless. The second amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms. As this is true for a homeowner to protect his family and himself, this should be true for pilots and their aircraft should they come under attack. Although the idea of using air marshals still exists, they are seen as being less effective. Along with ineffectiveness, the cost of placing an air marshal on every flight is unrealistic. A pilot who has undergone the proper training can perform the same task while being paid by the airlines, rather than spending taxpayer’s dollars (Shaw, 2001, September 19). As support for handguns in the cockpit grows, we must ask ourselves if four guns had been in the cockpit on September 11th would 3,000 people be dead, two 110 story buildings have been brought down, the Pentagon attacked, and a nation left in shock? Americans must realize that committed terrorists will be able to get past security, leaving pilots as the last line of defense. Along with pilots, many Americans feel these measures have to be taken in order to make the friendly skies, friendly again. Arming Pilots. (2016, Sep 18).

How can Virtual Learning Environments promote parental engagement in Literature review

How can Virtual Learning Environments promote parental engagement in children's learning - Literature review Example The literature review also identifies and defines virtual learning environments, their benefits and how virtual learning environments contribute to the promotion of parental engagement in their children’s learning. The literature review will ultimately confirm the hypothesis that virtual learning environments contribute to the promotion of parental engagement in their children’s learning. Introduction By 1997, it had become increasingly clear that parental involvement was essential for child’s educational success as parents and caregivers are decidedly not only the child’s first, but most pervasive educators (Whalley, 2004). Even so, administrators, policy-makers and educators acknowledge that parental involvement in their children’s learning continue to be a problem (Fitzgerald 2004). The challenge is therefore to get parents engaged in the child’s learning. A review of the literature highlights the significance of parental engagement in the child’s learning process and the prospects of improving parental involvement via virtual learning environments (VLE). ... I. Importance of Parental Involvement/Home-school Links Parental engagement is comprised of participating in conferences with teachers, attending student programmes; taking on voluntary activities; helping the child with their homework assignment, engaging the child in conversation about school work and school experiences and establishing constructs for activities in the home (BECTA 2009). The Department of Education and Skills (DfES) released a report in 2002 which drew on a comprehensive review of the literature. The report noted that parental involvement was key to a child’s learning proficiency from early on and until age 16. Parental involvement during the early years had a positive influence on the child’s cognitive growth as well as literacy and numeracy progress. The DfES also noted that a parent’s involvement in the child’s learning was more influential than other familial factors such as family structure, size, background and the parent’s own educational background (DfES 2002). Researchers have formulated an exhaustive list of the potential benefits of parental involvement in the child’s learning process. The list includes better school attendance, better academic performance, better study habits and higher educational expectations on the part of parents (Hornby 2005). In other words, parental involvement is believed to have a positive influence on the nature of the education the child receives. There is a prevailing view that children with parental support for learning at home and children with parents that foster a learning atmosphere at home typically perform better academically than children who do not have that kind of parental support and encouragement at home (Pugh and Duffy 2010). Essentially, the positive benefits

Response to Intervention Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Response to Intervention - Essay Example The major advantage of using Response to Intervention Method is that students with learning disabilities and whose performance is below that of their peers is seen sooner rather than later and afforded the necessary interventions that they may need, this allow them more time to try and become successful students rather than their just waiting to fail. This results in a series of intensive group or individual, based programs interventions.The programs help some students in obtaining the necessary support that they need early. The rapid response afforded by Response to Intervention is proving to be cheaper, as opposed to waiting for a case study analysis to be completed that is seen, when other methods of assessment are used.Another key benefit of using the Response to Intervention process is that the long duration a student normally waits before they can begin receiving additional instructional assistance or special education services in school is greatly reduced. This helps in averti ng the usual scenario whereby most students continue on failing to make any significant improvement in their studies for long stretches of time, which may sometimes run for several years before someone notices that they may have learning disabilities, and require the help of special education, as is seen in the use of the test-score discrepancy model. Response to Intervention also has the added benefit of helping in identifying students having learning disabilities, are seen to be at risk of failing.... This helps in averting the usual scenario whereby most students continue on failing to make any significant improvement in their studies for long stretches of time, which may sometimes run for several years before someone notices that they may have learning disabilities, and require the help of special education, as is seen in the use of the test-score discrepancy model. (Mary & Ayn, 2011) Response to Intervention also has the added benefit of helping in identifying students having learning disabilities, are seen to be at risk of failing. With the early detection, appropriate adjustments can be made to their systems of teaching and progress monitoring assessment that will help the students be successful and achieve success at higher levels and thus serving to avoid potential individual failure. (Rachel & Mark, 2010) The intense one on one and group supplementary assistance, afforded by Response to Intervention has had a rather profound effect in reducing the overall number of student s, who end up getting referred for special education services. As a result of this effect, the resources available in special education services are now channeled towards helping more disadvantaged students with severe learning disabilities. Response to Intervention has also been attributed with the increase in the number of students that end up becoming successful while still in the normal education system. This is as a result, of their problem areas not being identified and rectified in advance, some of these students get locked out of the regular education system. Because it is structured to compare the performance between students, the response is intervention model can differentiate between students posting inconsistent / poor results and those who have a learning