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The office of Secretary, wrote "President Obama Announces Steps to Reduce Dropout Rate and Prepare Students for College and Careers"(2010) asserts the importance of Presiden't Obama's statement of the importance of lowering the drop out rate in the United States for the sake of the nation's people and economy. The issue is adressed through statistics on background information crucial to the topic, followed by developing plans of action based off of studies to fix the problem. The office of secretary wrote this to state the importance of student drop out rates in order to better prepare the nation on what is to come in the future for the students who will soon be the working class "common man of America. The piece is written for the audience of adults primarily because of the correlation they have to their jobs as parents and maybe teachers. The statement in which the Office of Secretary provided for President Obama asserts the importance of fixing the drop out rate of schools all across America to better the economy and students for the real world. It uses statistics to dramatize the situation as well as plans of action that President Obama had in the mind to fix the issue.This source proves very useful to me because it gives me a better idea of who I want my targeted audience to be when the final project is ready to happen. In the statement, Obama relates more to high schoolers and how they can be motivated to go to college, but in the end, I think if you prepare students at maybe a younger age like middle school then they will have more to look toward to once they hit high school.

Diane Chung, in her analysis "Analysis of Urban Schools" claims that a big factor of students dropping out of school is because of emotional or behavioral disturbances, and the feeling that the students aren't being noticed which results in lack of motivation in school. Diane Chung supports her theory through a variety of other resources that have also found the same pattern of why so many students have dropped out of school. Diane Chung's purpose is to explain her findings about the kind of dilemnas that the majority of drop out students have had in common in order to show what must be focused on when helping other students to stay away from dropping out as well as a future experiment to use to prevent from such high drop out rates again. The audience of this analysis are adults looking to help students whether it be theirs or another. Diane Chung's analysis claims that a big factor of students dropping out is emotional and behavioral disabilities as well as unoticed feelings/attention leading to lack of motivation in school. This source gave me another aspect to look at when thinking of what I can do to help the community with drop out rates because prior to this source, I honestly would have never thought to intertwine personal matters to being a part of such a high drop out rate. The source will be used to help generate a more open minded idea on students and what makes them to want to go to college compared to the students who don't.

Cluggish, Sarah; Gretchen Kinder. "Shape Up Somerville: District Tackles Childhood Obesity." Education Digest April 2008: 32-36. EBSCO Host. 25 February 2011. Cluggish and Kinder, in the article "Shape Up Somerville: District Tackles Childhood Obesity" (2008) explain that in Somerville, Massachusetts the school district is taking a stance against childhood obesity and has made large changes in the school nutritional conduct. Cluggish and Kinder support their explanation by describing the numerous changes the school district has made including new policies and future ideas to expand the program. The authors' purpose is to point out that there are schools that care and are willing to stand up against corporate sponsors and the funding they provide in order to inspire other schools and districts to also take a stand. The authors write in a formal tone to the general public, more commonly towards parents and school faculty in an attempt to spread the information provided. "Shape Up Somerville: District Tackles Childhood Obesity" (2008) addresses the changes that a few schools in Somerville, Massachusetts have made to control the obesity epidemic that so heavily the 1-3 graders in the district. The schools have rid themselves of all vending machines, high sugar snacks, and the encouragement of games that enabled physical activity. The article effectively demonstrates that the community effort and involvement increased the success rates of the acts and changes. Without full cooperation from the school, school board, and parents success would be highly unlikely and any attempts at change futile. This article will be utilized to support the argument that once schools break the hold that large companies have over them the best interests for the students can be focused on and actual change enacted.

Dan Testa in his web article "Gala to Celebrate High School Artists" (Flatheadbeacon.com 2 Feb. 2011) implies that education in art and the showcasing of young artists is not only a benefit to the students, but also to the schools and the community. He does this through his accounts of how the teachers use this event to help their students, how its affected the schools in the past, and also including various accounts of people participating in the event. He writes to further the cause of the charity event, in order to emphasize the effect of it on the students and how art is vital to education overall. Testa writes in a very casual manner, aimed mostly at the average reader who may be interested in the happenings of their community, and not in a professional or educational manner. The article basically outlines how the event is assembled, how it's run, who participates, and how the proceeds are used in the schools and community. The author utilizes multiple accounts and supporting facts to add credibility to the article, lending weight to the argument of the importance of art. This article will be particularly useful to me and my project because it is similar to what I was planning, and creates a template I can use to help structure my own event.

Dan Testa, senior writer of the Flathead Beacon, in his newspaper article "Gala to Celebrate High School Artists" (Flathead Beacon 2011) tells of a gala being held in Montana by Flathead and Glacier High school. Testa explains that the gala is to show off talented artists in Kalispell, Montana. He writes to inform the populace about the gala that is going to happen on 3 Feb. 2011 and that the gala is to showcase high school artists in order to persuade people to buy tickets and attend the gala. Testa writes for an audience of Kalispell community's parent population through his focus on the students and the education provided. The article tells that the gala is meant to focus on the high school artists in Kalispell, Montana. The point of the gala is to raise money that will benefit the Kalispell public schools and the Flathead Valley Community College Art department. The article also informs the reader of practical uses that grants may be used for in the art department.

Wisner, Betsy L., Barbara Jones, and David Gwin. "School-based Meditation Practices for Adolescents: A Resource for Strengthening Self-Regulation, Emotional Coping, and Self-Esteem." Children & Schools 32.3 (2010): 150. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. Betsy L. Wisner, Barbara Jones, and David Gwin, in the essay, "School-based Meditation Practices for Adolescents: A Resource for Strengthening Self-Regulation, Emotional Coping, and Self-Esteem" (2010), states that schools are now finding ways to better students in their education, family life, and also better themselves from within. Gwin, Jones, and Wisner support their statement through detailed examples of what each students will do to get them back on track with their goals and life. The authors' purpose is to bring attention not only to school but parents as well to enroll their children in schools that do not jst offer a good education but also will help them will life struggles and finding their own identity. The authors write in a formal but welcoming tone to parents and students who are dealing with trials in their life and cannot seem to find the right person or place to aide them and help them walk in the right direction toward a successful future. This essay is a reviewed article by three school officials. They use research from other soucres in their article, and present a well presentation of what students will be in store if they decide to enroll into these schools. I foresee myself using this source within the final product of my research paper because this source offers a large amount of detailed information that can be used to persuade parents to actaully find the accurate help their child needs to overcome their battles throughout adolscents times. However, the essay is also helpful due to the fact it brings out the right purposes on to why children need places to go to and the right help for their unique issues because all teens are different and go through various trials at dif

Kennedy, Mike. "GOING GREEN." American School & University 73.11 (n.d.): 14. Science Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. GOING GREEN Kennedy, in his article " GOING GREEN" suggests that schools go green. Kennedy develops his argument b demonstrating how each concept has an enormous affect on a school. Kennedy shows an example which took place in Los Angeles, the school district and the city's Department of Water and Power (DWP) teamed up to plant 8000 trees in order to cut down on air conditioning and for the trees to reduce he storm water runoff, the end results turned out to be astonishing savings for every dollar the district spent they got back $2.37. Kennedy writes to help schools save money and make a safer environment for the children in order to reduce pollution, energy consumption, and money issues. Kennedy writes for an audience of young adults and the school districts in other states in hope that school boards will implement the change and go green. I plan on using this article written by Kennedy, which is a well explained and supported article in my research paper in order to strengthen my claim of needing CFL light bulbs. I hope to use this resource for the examples it offers and the brilliant ideas which are mentioned in order to help save money for the school and to make it a safer environment for everyone.

Janice D. Gray, et al. "School Support Programs for Chronically Ill Children: Evaluating the Adjustment of Children With Cancer at School." Children's Health Care 27.1 (1998): 31. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 25 Feb. 2011.

Jeff P. Jones, who received a masters in international studies at the University of Washington, in his book "School violence" (San Diego, CA 2001) claims that acts of school violences as of lately have been more common than ever before both on campus and within a few miles of campuses. Jones develops his argument by listing possible influences of school violence, as well as the roots of violence. He writes to inform readers of the horrors of the modern day public educational system in order to diminish any form of violence in schools Jones writes for a broad range of readers including concerned youth, to senior citizens to provide valuable knowledge to those willing to sit down and read.  This source basically describes the dangers of school and how there has been a rapid decline in safety in schools among recent years. Jones makes an obvious stance against violence from the beginning of the book. Alike to the NASP fact sheet article, he provides support to his argument by use of psychological and sociological facts and studies. Because of the many details and solid foundation of the book, this source proves to be a maximumly effective research foundation. He provides similar views to my own on bullying in which that not just students can be bullied and that there may be many reasons for bullying, but violence is a significant aspect of the ordeal under question. This research tool is valuable for my cause because it provides backup as well as support for my arguments and it is a tool i plan to use to its full extent.

Kantrowitz, B. "High school homeroom." Newsweek 115.23 (1990): 50. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 2 Feb. 2011. B. Kantrowitz in the article "High School Homeroom" (Newsweek, Summer/Fall90) asserts that teen motherhood is possible, yet the difficulty of such a burdensome lifestyle is highly preventable. Kantowitz writes of a high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts that provides a program for teen mothers and their children, and the struggles these mothers face on a daily basis. The author uses examples of teenage girls who failed to use contraceptives in order to prove to the reader the consequences of unprotected safe greatly outweigh a fleeting moment of pleasure. The article is addressed to teenage girls with clear intent to manifest the cumbersome burdens teen mothers are obligated to undertake. The article written by Kantrowitz is an overview of Rindge and Latin High School's program for teen mothers. It has a positive tone to encourage teen mothers to persist despite their tedious lives. The author uses a great amount of statistics to make the reader cognizant to how pertinent the issue is as it continues to mount. Kantrowitz's article was simple to comprehend allowing the statistics and experiences of the teen mothers to speak for themselves. I will use this article in my research to remind young couples why safe sex is important for more than just preventing sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Contraceptives and abstinence can prevent unwanted pregnancies and a lifetime of regret.

Ben Muessig, a journalist and photographer for AOL News, in his Article "Josh Groban Gives Gift of Music to Underfunded Middle School" (AOL News 2010) tells of Josh Groban's visit to a middle school in Bayside, New York. He explains the problems that the middle school and it's district faces, is why the Groban's action is a gift. Muessig writes to inform readers how Bayside middle schools' music programs are suffering from underfunding and why contributions like Groban's, are necessary. His intended audience is parents as shown through his informative and somewhat concerned tone. Many music programs are suffering from large budget cuts. Art programs are unable to pay for enough equipment for each student. A middle school in Bayside, New York was one such sufferer. They had four people to a flute. Gorban donated multiple instruments to allow the students to have sufficient equipment and allow them to have enough equipment.

Safier, David. "After School Sports Are Bad for Education." Blog For Arizona. 14 May 2008. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. . David Safier in his blog, "After School Sports are Bad for Education" argues that sports distract students from their school work. He beings by name calling then states why he believe sports are bad. He writes to inform people that education should be first. Safier's audience is anyone who is interesting on the pros and cons on sports in school, most likely someone trying to form an opinions.  This blog is very well informative with well used example, its about how education isn't valued by American like it is by others in different states. The blog doesn't have many stats to back up its information. I would use this blog as a source because I could argue it with proof that if sports helps improve education than Americans are more focused than other countries see them. 

Ransohoff, Julia. "Teens and the Media-Stereotypes." Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. Julia Ransohoff, a high school student writer, in her article "Teens and the Media," suggests that the media effects the way students view their bodies and that psychological disorders have nothing to do with it. The author supports her claims by paraphrasing Common Sense Media and using statistics and her own personal opinions. Ransohoff writes about how media portrays perfect bodies and that certain groups are more susceptible to feel bad about their bodies due to this in order to help high school students be aware that stereotypes that the media portray are not realistic. The author is writing to high school students or teenagers in general by her use of common speech and by talking to the reader directly. This source is written by a high school corespondent who explains that that the characters on TV or billboards and such are not realistic and bodies are not supposed to be perfect. The author Julia Ransohoff understands what high school students are immersed in and she writes as if she knows we are reading. The source she used, Common Sense Media seems a bit sketchy, but that's from a cursory glance. This research will be used in my source for the statistics and as an example from an actual high school student dealing with this issue.

"Graduation Rate for US High-Schoolers Falls for Second Straight Year" Precis Stacy Khadaroo, staff writer, in her article ,"Graduation Rate for US High-Schoolers Falls for Second Straight Year," she explains how the graduation rate of students since 1969 has gone down. She develops her argument through factual information that is credible. She is writing to inform others of this issue so it can be resolved. Her audience is adults and young adults who are in highschool. This article is talking about the graduation rates in the United States since 1969 when it was at its peak. It is showing that just over a couple years the percentages of high school students graduating has gone down over 1%. It shows that something is obviously going wrong and that something needs to be fixed. It should be unacceptable to the U.S. to only have 68% of their students graduating from high school. It just shows what this nation has come to and that there is absolutely nobody taking actions that are actually doing something to benefit the situation.

Farr, Steven. "LEADERSHIP! Not Magic." Education Leadership 68.4 (2010): 28-33. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. . Steven Farr in his journal article, LEADERSHIP! Not Magic claims that money and school funding don't have anything to do with quality education. Farr uses examples like Gillette Eckler to make his argument. He writes shows teachers and parents that school funding is not an accuse for bad schooling. His article is for principles, parents and teachers who are concerned about school funding and their students educations. This article is about educators whose resources were limited and they still managed improve test scores and students understanding. Though the article was interesting and ever helpful most of it was examples, not many statistics that someone could take and use in an article. This source, with or without the statistics, is helpful for me because my topic involves being minimalistic and using a sport to teach, no paper, no class room, just a tennis court, racket and a ball.

Likins, Peter. "Free Teen Depression and Suicide Prevention Program Now Available for High Schools - Grey Matters." Tucson Citizen - The Voice of Tucson. 18 Oct. 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. Peter Likins, author of "Free Teen Depression and Suicide Prevention Program Now Available for High Schools - Grey Matters" (2010), argues that citizens need to act in the fight against depression, specifically in Arizona. Likins supports his claim by telling his audience about the depression statistics amongst Arizona teens. The author's purpose is to inform parents about O.P.T.I.O.N.S. (Offering Parents and Teens Information on Needless Suicide), and to prove its effectiveness through statistics about student evaluation of the program. The author writes in an informal tone to reach parents and school officials who might use this program. This article by Likins is about educating Arizonans about the high rate of depression in Arizona compared to the rest of the U.S. It provides information on presentations of the program at the audience's child's school. The article is reliable because there are links to sites with related information and it is basically advertising for the program with extra information that I can use for my paper. The statistics will be in my paper to convey the importance of the issue beings so prevalent to our community alone.

Wilson, Susan N. "Our Current Status, and an Agenda for 2010." Family Planning Perspectives 32.5 (2000): 252. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Susan N. Wilson in the article ""Our Current Status, and an Agenda for 2010" (2000) suggests that abstinence and contraceptive coursers should be offered in school curriculum. She supports her suggestion by referencing averages released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The author's purpose is to encourage educators integrate contraceptive education into school district as early as seventh grade in order to reverse the trend of teenage moms and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The author writes in a concerned state, addressing communities, governments, and school districts to encourage change. Beginning with the 1980's, the opening of the article details the evolution of sex education. Wilson's article portrays a realistic outlook on teenagers and their sexual behaviors. She understands that students must be educated and competent about sexual intercourse before they or their peers even engage in such conduct. She notes that sex education is progressively limiting the information it discloses to students. I agree with her statements on the discrepancies between what is transpiring outside of school and what is being taught within classrooms. He research supports my claim the school systems are doing a disservice to teens by withholding precious information that can save lives or prevent unwanted pregnancies. She calls to question thought provoking questions and provides an Advocacy Agenda with plans to deter the growing population of sexually ignorant youths

Chen, Grace. "How Diet and Nutrition Impact a Child's Learning Ability - Public School Review." Public School Review - Profiles of USA Public Schools. 20 June 2008. Web. 03 Feb. 2011. . Grace Chen, in her article "How Diet and Nutrition Impact a Child's Learning Ability" (2008), she explains how unhealthy foods affect the learning abilities of children. Chen describes how foods affect the body's behavior particular saturated fats negative effect, then she gives her own plan to improve it. The author's purpose is to inform people of how school lunches negatively effect students learning abilities and give a plan to fix it. She talks in a former tone so that she can sound professional and have her research taken seriously by peers. This is an article of the internet and does not have any credentials but does have multiple references listed. She writes formally and does not appear to be a crazy internet user posting false materials. I see myself using this article based on the facts about the effect of food on learning and possibly the plan she provides can be implemented into mine. I can also use her references for my own good.

Newman, Debra R. "`What's for lunch?'." Mothering 82 (1997): 66. Health Source - Consumer Edition. EBSCO. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Debra Newman, in her article titled "Whats For Lunch?", asserts the recent success of the National School Lunch Program. She develops her thesis by including a brief history of past problems and later describing current success. She writes in order to convince the reader that a new age of healthy school food is coming and is beginning to become prosperous. Newman writes for those who need to know that failure is not eminent and the situation is improving one lunch room at a time. This source explains the recent success in the National School Lunch Program. Whereas the other sources that were gathered expressed a failure on the part of the system, this source contradicts the others in explaining more recent and pertinent results. The findings will prove beneficial in determining which means for implementation of healthier food may be more effective. Although this project does not deal directly with the NSLP, the successes and failures of the system will help in developing a new program specific to local Arizona schools.