Yesterday, Today, and Beyond

The public at large was disappointed in the status of Education in the United States in the 1980’s.  To help tackle this problem, an agreement was reached between the states and the federal government that governors and states lead and adopt standards and testing for their respective states.  A federal law was enacted noting this decision in 1990 (Shanahan). Public schools in the United States are still not preparing our students for rigorous academic college level studies.  Depending of the reporting agency, different national agencies report that between 20% to 36% percent of college freshmen are needing remedial courses before they can take some of the college level courses.  In fact, about 75% of colleges and universities have made remedial courses available out of necessity (Burks et al.).  American students are generally behind that of many other countries.  The Common Core Standards were developed by educations chiefs and governors of 48 states ...

The Texas Constitution has gone through many transformations over the years. Texas has had 7 unique constitutions, including one under Mexico, the Confederacy, Independent Texas, and 4 different constitutions as a state in the United States.  The current Texas Constitution went into effect in 1876. Bit by bit, the Texas Constitution has been revised and updated, essentially creating a new constitution every two years. The United States Constitution is broad and has the “necessary and proper” clause, allowing lawmakers more freedom.  Texas has no such loophole in its constitution and the laws in the Texas Constitution are very detailed and specific, which is why it requires frequent and many amendments.  Many Texans would argue that the Texas Constitution is outdated and over amended.             The 29 th Congress of the United States approved admission for Texas to join the United States.  The Texas State Co...

Nigeria is a country in Africa that has been through financial turmoil for many years.  The United States has developed many international agencies charged with protecting the health of citizens of other poor countries, particularly many nations in Africa.  Protecting the health of individuals in Africa and preventing and stopping epidemics from spreading, ultimately saves lives globally, including in the United States.  Epidemic infections in one place in the world can travel to many countries around the world due to the relative ease and affordability of international travel. Outbreaks of communicable diseases occur on a daily basis all over the world.  The United States’ Global Disease Detection Program, a program of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention goal is to locate and stop global epidemic disease outbreaks.  The Global Disease Detection Program has offices in several countries around the world staffed with expert healthcare workers to monit...

Before the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was created in 1979, over 100 agencies had to work together to help people during and after major disasters (Smith).  The result was a conglomerate of uncoordinated efforts that didn’t work very well.  FEMA was created after a series of major natural disasters.  Ironically, after FEMA was created, less severe disasters happened and FEMA didn’t seem quite so important.  Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush used FEMA to make appointments as political favors and the people they appointed to head FEMA had no experience, training, or background in emergency management (Smith).  When a severe storm finally struck, FEMA was unprepared.  After a category 5 hurricane hit Florida City in 1992, it took 5 days for troops to show up to assist.  Over 125,000 homes were destroyed and thousands of people were left without federal assistance or necessities, like water or food (Smith).  Jane Bullock, former C...