The History Of Music Education Essay - 1931 Words

The History of Music Education in the Americas The history of our schools is told beginning with the founding of our nation, moving through the common school movement, the arguments of the progressive era, and leading up to all of the modern acts made in the 21st century. Music education is a factor in the public schools, and it is rarely discussed as part of the history of our schools. Music education has been a part of our schools since the beginning and continues to better our students to this day. The Introduction of the School in Early Society Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was one of the first to push for an education system in the Amemricas with his ideas that schooling would lead to a â€Å"more general diffusion of knowledge†. He told these ideas to the Virginia legislature, and though they did not take hold, they laid the groundwork for Catherine Beecher, and Horace Mann. In his plans for schools, he was open to the arts in education. This was because he thought that art and music education were a gentleman’s education. In his daily life, Jefferson would take breaks from work to play music on his violin. He was an entertainer, and a skilled musician. Music had found its way into the heart of one of the great framers of education. Early Immigrants There was an early push for music education by a group of immigrants known as Moravians. This Slavic influence brought many contributions in almost every avenue of American culture but primarily introduced rich vocal andShow MoreRelatedHistory of Music Education in America1580 Words   |  7 Pagesgreat history from the beginning. It began with the migration of people from Europe. They colonized the states and began life there. They eventually fought for their freedom and now are the United States of America. Within this history is another profound history, which is the history of music education in America. Music education has changed and grown dramatically from century to century from the 18th century to present times. Each century show a great moment and growth in the history of music educationRead MoreA Brief History On Two Types Of Music Education1904 Words   |  8 PagesWithin this essay, you shall find a brief history on two types of Music Education, the S uzuki Method; as well as the Dalcroze Method, as well as a breakdown of these methods. Apart from this, you will also find a slight discussion on how I might incorporate these methods, if any, into my own teachings. Suzuki Method The Suzuki Method was created and developed by Violin prodigy, Shinichi Suzuki, after being asked by a colleague if he was able to teach his son. Intrigued, he set out the find outRead More A Personal Philosophy of Music Education Essay1036 Words   |  5 PagesA Personal Philosophy of Music Education Few would argue against the idea that we educate ourselves and our society so that we have adequate means with which to understand and interact with elements of the world around us. Subjects such as mathematics, language, history, and the hard sciences are granted immediate and unquestioned legitimacy in our schools, and with good reason. We encounter each of these elements of our lives on a daily basis. We need to have an understanding of theseRead MoreKeep Music Education in Schools Essay1696 Words   |  7 PagesDue to the declining economy, school boards around the country have decided to cut funding to the music education programs. It is necessary to keep music education in the American school system because it enhances the development of skills that children will use for the rest of their lives. Musical development can start as early as before birth. Hearing is the first sense that a baby acquires and it is acquired in utero (McCutcheon 1). The first sounds that a baby hears are the mother’s voice andRead MoreFrom Womb to Deathbed: Music is with Us829 Words   |  3 PagesMusic in everyday life is a pleasure or a displeasure, a sadness or a happiness, a grievance or a rejoicement: basically a portrayal of emotions and thoughts put into sounds, or lack thereof, through notes and sometimes even text. Before I start, keep into consideration my definition of music: the compilation of sounds with or without text as a mean for expressing an idea or lack of an idea to another living being. Music is truly a remarkable art form that humans around the world partake in, butRead MoreScott Schuler : The Five Guiding Principles Of Music Education958 Words   |  4 PagesIn the article titled â€Å"Five Guiding Principles for Music Education† published by the Music Educato rs Journal in March 2011, author Scott C. Schuler discusses the main goals music educators should have, and the specific processes in which they should go about their teachings in order to reach those set goals. He makes it clear that music educators should be principled. This means that the should be ‘student-centered’ as every action they do and decision they make must be in for the good of the studentRead MoreThe National Association For Music Education990 Words   |  4 Pages Break Point 4.1 The National Association for Music Education has several general standards put into place (the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards). These standards center around the theme of music literacy and attempt to improve the three most important aspects of music learning: creating, performing, and responding. These aspects are designed to be applied to a student s musical performance as well as their conduct in the community. The standards are used throughout the United StatesRead MoreSummary Of Meet The New Waves 775 Words   |  4 PagesRebecca McKenney History and Sociology of Rock Music Mrs. Trimble 22 October 2016 Meet the New Waves In chapter fifteen of Rock Music Styles: A History, author Katherine Charlton discusses the musical style of new wave. There are many new way groups in the world, but Charlton only selected some of the most notable groups. Charlton divided these notable groups by American and British nationalities. In order to give equal attention to both sides, I have chosen four primary artists to representRead MoreImportance Of Arts In Education868 Words   |  4 Pagesknown as a core academic subject. Arts should be in education at schools because it helps with all of the students classes. Music includes about every subject. Math, with the counting and rhythms. English in the reading of the music; Science in the history of the writers the music and what time the music was written; History is the time frame of the songs and the music that tells a story; Physics, in the way the instructor conducts. Clearly music is a pretty important art. For example drawing withRead MoreHistory Of Music Has Been Around For Many Years1272 Words   |  6 PagesPeriod 1 English 10 March 2017 History of Music Music has been around for many years. I, for one, have been listening to music for my entire life and I know many people who grew up listening to music. Music influences people and people shape their life around music. Music can brighten anyone’s day. The great thing about music is that it comes in many different styles: Pop, Jazz, Classical, Country, Blues, Rock and Roll, Rap, Hip Hop and Techno, to name a few. How did music originate? Well, keep reading

General Manager Person Specification Commerce Essay Free Essays

string(172) " due to the nature of the concerns we operate within that our nucleus hours needed to alter to accommodate, with applied scientists start and finish times being staggered\." My professional aim to be achieved in the following 2 old ages is to go General Manager of Grantfen Fire Security Ltd. As this function does non presently exist within the company I have researched the function of a General Manager. 1. We will write a custom essay sample on General Manager Person Specification Commerce Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now 1 – General Manager Person Specification A General Manager has to be an enthusiastic leader with a demonstrative personality, behavior and credibleness to put, keep and transcend consistent high quality criterions commensurate with organizational outlooks. They need to hold sound analytical and computing machine accomplishments with an ability to pass on at all degrees. This individual would besides necessitate to be aim goaded – with the ability to work to, and set, timely public presentation goals/targets and clear aims with a motivational and supportive direction manner. All in all would necessitate to be a strong individualist and determination shaper with high finding to win. 1.2 – General Manager Job Description The function of a General Manager would include but non be limited to the undermentioned duties Planing Administration Supplying leading Reporting on long / short term programs Research / analyse proposals for long / short term programs HR Management Recruitment Development / Training Employee Relationss Performance Management Undertaking Management Operating WIP Reports Oversee Management of Individual Projects Budget Planning Management of Sub-Contractors Application of Specifications and Standards Selling and PR Manage Ad Opportunities Oversee Content, Publication and Distribution of all Marketing and Publicity Manage Press Development Fiscal Management Provide Recommendations sing Investment / Cash Schemes Oversee Preparation of Annual Budgets. Provide Vision and Advise sing Overall Financial Health and Long Range Fiscal Planning Administrative Management Ensure Accurate Quality Control through ISO9001 Procedures / SSAIB / BAFE Oversee High Standards of Health and Safety Aid in Development of Quality Processes and Procedures to Guarantee Continuing Efficiency 1.3 – Ideal General Manager Competencies The function of General Manager takes duty for all countries of a concern including the gross and cost elements of the concern. I believe to be able to transport out this function efficaciously I will necessitate to posses the undermentioned accomplishments and competences. Leadership Skills – To be able to steer the company towards a united end and supply our clients with a quality service. Organizational Commitment – To be 100 % committed to the company and its ends in order to actuate the company and supply leading. Conceptual Thinking – To happen new and advanced ways to develop the concern and supply new services and experiences to clients Self Control – To help in determination devising and executive maps Developing Others – To guarantee that the company succeeds in all enterprises and strains loyal and determined staff. Energy and Passion – To drive a squad and actuate them to transport out responsibilities to the best of their ability. 1.4 – Ideal General Manager Competencies The makings required for the function of General Manager would be as below, this is non an thorough list but I believe that these makings and experiences are critical to transport out this function successfully. Preferably a grade in Business Management or tantamount degree of experience. A lower limit of 5 old ages concern experience. Demonstrable record of success at a senior degree within a general direction function in a comparable administration, sooner including the direction of preservation and proficient staff. Wide commercial experience, including finance, concern direction, human resources and IT. Prove IT competency in fiscal bundles i.e. Sage Strong interpersonal accomplishments, with the ability to pull off and develop staff making good squad work. Ability to develop, implement, manage and proctor effectual concern and fiscal systems and processs Experience and apprehension of human resource patterns, policies and processs Previous experience of Health and Safety policies, processs and patterns 2 – Professional Competencies Development I have provided below a competences matrix that identifies countries in which I have proved I meet the needed competences for the General Manager Role. I have besides identified spreads that will necessitate attending and action before 2.1 – Competence Matrix Competence Situation / Action / Outcome Further Actions Required Leadership Skills I have over 200 security and fire systems that require care and reactive plants. A portion of my occupation is to supervise the planning of these plants and do hourly determinations on which calls are reacted to first due to urgency. We late had a state of affairs where a edifice had been struck by lightning and this had efficaciously blown up the fire dismay system. As the edifice was a wellness Centre with 24/7 occupants this proved a wellness and safety exigency as without an operating fire system the edifice would hold to be evacuated. Checking which staff were on displacement I re-routed applied scientists over to site, this had to be completed in relay due to the length of clip it took to repair to guarantee that applied scientists did non compromise their ain wellness and safety. Completing plants like this encourages my staff to work efficaciously as a squad go forthing the site with every bit much information as possible for the following applied scientist to take over. Whil st finishing these exigency works we besides have to cover any other calls that arise throughout the twenty-four hours, so on this juncture I made the determination to use impermanent sub-contract labor to transport out plants to guarantee continuance of service. The wellness Centre fire dismay system was fixed within 24 hours with occupants of the site non being cognizant that there was of all time such an issue and other clients were dealt with expeditiously with the production of sub-contract labor. Whilst being an effectual leader I find I am still sometimes intimidated when confrontation arises with technology staff. I have put this bullying down to a limited proficient cognition and this should be improved. Organizational Committedness I late changed the manner our service section runs. We used to run applied scientists within nucleus concern hours 08:30 – 17:00, with an exigency service to cover outside these times. It became evident to me that due to the nature of the concerns we operate within that our nucleus hours needed to alter to accommodate, with applied scientists start and finish times being staggered. You read "General Manager Person Specification Commerce Essay" in category "Essay examples" I spoke to my technology and office staff as this would non merely consequence the applied scientists we would besides hold to alter our office hours ( including mine ) . After explicating to everyone the nature of the sites we looked after and the operational troubles they incur I was pleased to observe that everyone was really willing to come in into treatments sing a alteration in working hours. These alterations have had positive and negative effects on the lives of my staff but I was pleased and proud to observe that they were all willing to co-operate and move in a new way with the company. This resulted in the company being able to accommodate to new concern and supply an drawn-out service where required. I find that there are no spreads within my organizational committedness. When employed by a company I am highly loyal and set all attempt and energy into doing the company a success. Conceptual Thinking As the companies ISO9001 internal hearer it is within my function to finish a full set of process and procedure audits every 12 months. There have been a batch of alterations within the company over the last 12 months and this has led to the re-evaluation of our company procedures. I believe that procedures and processs are implemented to help a concern in running with professionalism and quality, non a hinderance. I try to instil in the sections that I audit that these processs are non set in rock and if they do n’t work for the company so we should happen something that does. With this in head I started the audit process for this twelvemonth, we looked at the current procedures and processs within the section and I sat down with the Undertaking Managers that have to work to the processs and asked them how they felt the processs aided or hindered them. They mentioned that the processs within their section worked good but the quality of information they received through from t he gross revenues section hindered them in finishing their occupation. I asked them what farther information could be provided to relieve this and we came up with a list of extra information. In this instance the best option was non to alter the processs for the installing section but to alter the processs for the gross revenues section. I created and implemented a checklist of information that the gross revenues section must finish before a occupation can be passed for contract reappraisal. In this state of affairs I understood the job the installing section had by placing forms or connexions, and addressed the cardinal implicit in issue. Conceptual thought includes the integrating of issues and factors into a conceptual model utilizing inductive logical thinking that lead to solutions or feasible options that may non be evidently related or easy identified. I feel I am comfy with this portion of my function and plume myself on seeing declarations through conceptual thought. The weakness I have at this point would be that I am rather protective of the quality system as I built and monitor it. Therefore any unfavorable judgment of the system I take personally and drop everything to measure whether the unfavorable judgment is validated or non. The quality system has been in topographic point for 5 old ages and is audited and reviewed for its effectivity every twelvemonth. Self Control The concern I work within is mostly client service based and whilst my frontline staff will cover with issues that arise ab initio if clients or applied scientists are non happy with a state of affairs so the issue gets passed to me. I was walking through the office when I heard one of the client service misss covering with a ailment. I heard the gentleman on the phone shouting down the line at the miss who was going rather upset. The miss told the client that she would set him through to her director and put the call on clasp. She informed me that the client had his system installed over 6 old ages ago and had a mistake with it. The miss told the client that she could organize an applied scientist and there would be a cost as the system was no longer under guarantee. Once the client realised that he had to pay for an applied scientist he started shouting at the miss stating her that he should n’t hold to pay anything and we should repair the mistake for free. I picked up the line to the client and asked how I could assist, he informed me of the same information my staff had and told me I should repair his job for free. I brought up his inside informations from the database and saw the age of the installing and that there was no care contract in topographic point. We offer a 12 or 18 month guarantee period with any installing we provide so this installing was surely out of guarantee. As antecedently the gentleman started to shout down the line about how he expected better aftercare than he had received. I asked the gentleman to quiet down and advised that he would non obtain any declaration whilst shouting at my staff and being opprobrious. We had no duty to this client and it would hold been really easy given his mode to inquire him to travel elsewhere and decline to function him. However, I do non like clients go forthing us with a feeling of ailment will so I advised the client that there was no care contract in topographic point and if he would take out a care contract with us I would direct an applied scientist to finish the care and expression at the mistake at the same clip which would intend no charge for the mistake. The client was happy with this result and agreed to take out the care contract, he so asked to be put back through to the client service miss and apologised for the mode in which he spoke to her. This was a state of affairs where my response to the job could hold made the state of affairs worse but by exerting a small ego control we obtained a little but long term client. I feel that this is the country in which I need to develop the most as I sometimes find it difficult to show myself with understanding and sympathy. this is chiefly with employees instead than clients and clients. Further HR consciousness would be good. Developing Others We believe in developing our staff to help them in their calling development. We take on staff as learners and develop them throughout their employment at Grantfen. For illustration, as my personal calling and preparation advancements their can non be a whole in the company, person has to be trained to finish the occupation I am presently assigned to. With this in head along with the managers we have chosen the individual to develop into my function and she spends clip alongside me larning the function and placing countries in which preparation is required. We have invested clip, attempt and money in this individual and have put her through legion NVQ ‘s. I believe that puting in people and their development helps the company from a accomplishments position but besides provides the employee with a sense of trueness towards the company Whilst at present the idea of taking over my function is rather dashing to her I am confident that one time all preparation is complete she will be a really capable director. I am sometimes uncomfortable giving employees assessments and happen myself singling out the employees that I feel are more committed to the company and will bring forth long term benefit through preparation. Energy and Passion I love the company I work for and am invariably endeavoring to guarantee that our service section is amongst the best in the state. I believe that one individuals energy and passion to work can be infective and if you have the right squad of people they can feed off of each other ‘s energy. With this in head I set myself a end for the current fiscal twelvemonth that we increase the turnover for the service section by A ; Acirc ; A ; lb ; 200K. This was a new country for me as my function has non been specifically gross revenues oriented in the yesteryear. If this end is reached this means the service section will necessitate another applied scientist and client service decision maker. I have communicated this end to our squad and everyone is on board and motivated to win, everyone has expressed a privation to be involved in a underdeveloped section as this creates new calling chances for everyone within the section. As we are still within the fiscal twelvemonth I can non stat e whether we have succeeded but I will province that we are decidedly on mark. Again I do non believe I require development in this country as a am really self motivated and believe in the abilities and end of the company I am employed by. I include below a soul-searching that identifies the countries in which I find myself strong and the countries which will necessitate farther attending every bit good as chances and menaces that this function will supply me with. Self Analysis Strengths Failings Opportunities Menaces Good at Working Alone or in a Team Can Become Obsessive Over Certain Tasks Wider Career Prospects Male Dominated Environment Flexible Lack of Personal Assurance New Challenges Less Experience of Business Management Excellent Communication Skills Can React Emotionally to Work Related Issues Fewer Restraints Current Staffing Requires Re-assignment Well Thought of by Stakeholders Impatient / Want Resolutions Quickly More Autonomy Multitude of Every Day Demands Passionate About the Job / Company / Goals To Learn From Others in Similar Roles Ambitious Loyal Thorough 3 – Professional Knowledge Development I have been working in the Fire and Security industry for 10 old ages and have obtained an highly good working cognition of the industry including a on the job proficient cognition. Over my ten old ages I have been in legion occupation functions and have complete undertakings that did non needfully fall within my occupation function. I feel confident that I can finish most undertakings within the concern which makes me a good campaigner for the function I wish to obtain. But even with this in head I feel that I would necessitate more experience in certain countries before I felt comfy taking a General Manager function. I am on my manner to finishing a grade in Business Management and so will see whether if it would be good to go on on to obtaining an MBA. I feel that I need to obtain farther apprehension in the fiscal field and whilst I have completed the AAT Levels 2 and 3 in Accounting I would profit further from a more in depth cognition of direction accounting. I besides identified a demand for farther Human Resource preparation to enable me to cover with staff efficaciously and reasonably. 4 – Professional Development Plan To accomplish the right degree of competences and makings for the function of General Manager I have completed an action program detailing what activities I will necessitate to set about to turn to all spreads that have been identified Areas for Development How Area was Identified Action to be Taken Target Dates Short Term Goals 1. To better proficient cognition Feedback from equal observation. To pass clip with applied scientists on site mistake happening July 2013 2. To go more empathetic with employees Through treatment with co-workers. Complete more staff assessments December 2013 3. To larn how to drive and actuate all squad members Through observation of managers. Through farther HR preparation December 2013 4. To derive assurance in personal accomplishments and abilities Through contemplation in my completion of PDP Through assessments and ongoing pattern of accomplishments and abilities December 2013 Long Term Goals 5. To accomplish a BA ( Hons ) in Business Management After treatments with Directors of sequence within the company To transport on in the completion of class at MMU July 2014 6. To obtain farther apprehension of direction accounting Following completion of AAT degrees 2 and 3 I identified that a farther apprehension of direction histories would be good To take finance as an option in my concluding twelvemonth December 2014 7. To set about farther Human Resources preparation We presently have a HR adviser and following treatments with him i believe farther HR preparation would be good To near the HR adviser and place any preparation available to farther enhance cognition December 2014 How to cite General Manager Person Specification Commerce Essay, Essay examples

Texting and Driving Research Paper free essay sample

I say this with love in my heart, because she was literally a part of my family and would never purposefully hurt someone. I can assume from knowing Lacy better than almost anyone that on that Friday she was animatedly singing loudly to the radio or retelling a funny story with voices as usual. Her focus wasn’t on the task at hand of driving and she missed a stop sign coming down a hill and crashed into another truck. None of the passengers were wearing a seatbelt. The man in the truck was uninjured and Lacy was life-flighted with severe injuries, but both of her passengers were killed instantly. The two of them had just had a baby, which added to the unbearable amount of grief that Lacy and the rest of the family faced. On August 4, 2010, nearly a year after the fact, Lacy was charged with two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter and after pleading guilty received two misdemeanor counts of vehicular manslaughter and two misdemeanor counts of inattentive driving (Masters 2). Gossipers at our high school all had the incorrect first assumption that the accident was due to texting while driving, which makes a statement in itself about how common of a practice it is by teenagers. Lacy’s horrible inattentive driving record with multiple minor accidents, holds evidence to the theory that teens will continue to practice poor habits until severe enough consequences are put into order. I believe that we should keep young adults from having to learn the hard way and make efforts to not have anyone else be left scarred for life with their futures ruined. The state of Idaho has joined the movement that was already widespread in America and in doing so took legislative action against texting while driving. Idaho is now an example of using legislature to provide public safety, but further measures need to be taken on a national level by passing a ban on hand-held devices while driving. Before I began researching the prevalent issue of texting while driving, I had knowledge limited to what I’d seen on the news and learned through my involvement with Meridian’s Mayor’s Youth Advisory council. Young adults always seemed to be targeted as the main perpetrators of distracted driving; particularly texting while driving. From being a member of the respective young adult age group, I’ve seen a myriad of preventative awareness campaigns geared toward texting while driving. It wasn’t until a death of a girl named Kassy at my high school (the same year of Lacy’s accident) that the community of Meridian rallied and demanded legislative action in her name. Idaho is one of 9 states in the nation that doesn’t offer regulation on cell phone usage, but several cities within the state have taken action. In my home city of Meridian, ID an ordinance was passed that imposed a fine on violators who were caught texting while driving. This texting ban was commonly known as â€Å"Kassy’s law†, in honor of her death and her family that raised awareness. Concerned lobbyists question why several cities in Idaho have enacted ordinances and other states have created laws, but Idaho has rejected several proposed bills against texting while driving. In 2009, the first legislative attempt in Idaho to prevent texting while driving was senate bill 1030 that would have â€Å"prohibited the use of cell phones with a hands-free accessory† (Abel 2). It failed since the bold suggestion was seen as an infringement on rights by the vast majority. The following year â€Å"a ban that had passed the Senate died on the final night of the legislative session in the House, when then-Rep. Raul Labrador, now an Idaho U. S. representative, used a parliamentary maneuver to force a two-thirds vote† (Russell 1). Last year’s version would have banned texting while driving only if it distracted the driver; the bill failed. There was success in Meridian, Sandpoint, and Twin Falls in passing ordinances through their city councils that ban texting while driving, with fines for violators. After three years of failed attempts, Idaho officially banned texting while driving on April 5, 2012 with Governor Butch Otter signing house bill 1274a (Russell 1). On July 1st when the law goes into effect, Idahoans will be held accountable by an infraction. An article found on EBSCO, written by John Callegari for Long Island Business News, unveiled the multitude of legislative action that has been taken by the nation as a whole. The article declares that Representative McCarthy introduced legislation to standardize laws regarding the use of handheld devices while driving, known as the Safe Drivers Act of 2011. Her evidence in success of the ban passed in her state of New York was that, â€Å"Laws do work. Immediately after New York banned cell phone use there was a 47 percent decline in cellphone activity while driving† (Callegari 1). As noted in the article, the only states that don’t offer regulations are: Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota (Callegari 2). The Safe Drivers Act of 2011 would make it so that â€Å"If approved, each state would have two years to come into compliance with the law. Those states that were not in compliance after the two-year period would have 25 percent of their federal funding for transportation and highways withheld until they were in compliance† (Callegari 2). Callegari’s article asserts political aspects of legislature and how the minds of states work. The conservative nature of Idaho as a whole has placed us in with the six other states that are resistant to pass new legislature. Similar patterns were seen with seatbelt laws in people being opposed to the federal government mandating â€Å"how they live their lives†, but eventually it became socially accepted and practiced. Texting while driving bans are mildly seen as infringing on rights when compared to hands-free laws. Ordinances in multiple cities are the first step, passing a texting while driving bill that involves fines is the second, and I predict that a hands-free law will be the end result in legislative action to prevent the issue from spreading more. Several insurance companies, such as State Farm, have researched and campaigned to raise awareness to families about the dangers of texting while driving. In his article in USA Today, Larry Copeland reports on State Farm’s findings and their customers reactions to it. State Farm’s vice president of strategic resources said, â€Å"The risks and dangers are not well understood by teens. I think one of the reasons is that they’re not well understood by parents, either†. According to the article, â€Å"the survey highlights a reality of life among many teens: Staying connected is vitally important to them, and maintaining that connection—even when they’re driving—overrides safety arnings from driver’s education instructors, celebrities and even parents†(Copeland 4). Efforts to promote awareness and educate the public have been made by the government, celebrities, and by victims telling their stories. Data from Distraction. gov states that, â€Å"Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways. In 2010 alone, over 3,000 people were killed in distracted d riving accidents†. Several facts like these, personal stories, and news articles involving distracted driving can be found on the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving. Even iconic figures like Oprah are spending their own time and money on this worthy cause. The Oprah Winfrey show introduced her campaign that asks viewers to spread the message by making a â€Å"No Phone Zone pledge† and passing it on (Mohn 1). While I wouldn’t base my whole argument off of the findings of evaluating one insurance company’s research, Larry Copeland brings up a valid point that seems inevitable to me. Teenagers are infamous for their tendency to be hard-headed which makes them so dangerous that they should permanently wear a helmet. In Meridian’s city council hearing to pass the texting while driving ordinance, one man’s testimony stood out to me. He was opposed to the ordinance because he saw it as the government exerting their power to control us. In the midst of his heated speech, he told witnesses that this would be the first of many laws and that next they’d make us wear helmets to simply walk on the sidewalks. While this was an extreme idea, it reminded me that even though rights of citizens are important, it’s more beneficial to everyone to make safety the top priority. Even if passing a law butts into peoples’ lives, it could save the life of the pedestrian on the street that could potentially get hit by a distracted driver. Political wrangling and disagreements over approach have derailed all distracted driving legislation to date, but lawmakers acknowledged during debate on the 2012 texting plan that public sentiment has changed (Abel 5). According to a study done by AAA car insurance company â€Å"Almost nine out of 10 Idaho voters are in favor of a ban on text messaging. Six in 10 wanted to see some kind of cell phone ban for drivers. Eight in 10 backed enhanced penalties for distracted drivers who cause accidents† (Abel 5). Through persistent lobbying, campaigning, and rallying this legislative session, a bill that would outlaw texting by all drivers has made great progress. The future looks promising with the recent passing of bill no. 1274, as it was approved by the house on March 20th and goes into effect July 1st. Many advocates are rejoicing about the improvement of safety on the roads, but issues with the texting ban undeniably exist. For three years great multitudes of representatives across Idaho drew up bills that failed. The failures, with the exception of the hands-free ban proposal in 2009, can all be analyzed to see that enforcement is where they fell short in effectiveness. Wording of the bill outlaws texting specifically using hand held devices, therefore leaving dialing a number or surfing the web with dash mounted systems legal. â€Å"The question becomes how law enforcement will tell, from across a highway at 60 miles an hour, whether someone is texting, or just Web surfing, using a handheld device or something else† (Hoffman 1). Hoffman believes that the answer to this question is that officers will have to depend on self-incrimination by people admitting to texting while driving after being stopped for something else (Hoffman 2). He alludes to the ridiculousness of leaving regulation up to violators by saying â€Å"if the criminal justice system is really lucky, the accused will simply pay the fine and avoid a hassle of a court appearance† (Hoffman 2). â€Å"Idaho has misdemeanor penalties for inattentive driving, but unlike most states it had no specific law banning texting while driving† (Russell 1). This new law is one giant step towards improving the safety of drivers today and sets an example for future license holders, but our state still needs to continue to take action. Along with expanding the preventative texting while driving curriculum into driver’s education courses, Idaho should provide a voice in supporting a national ban of hands-free device usage while driving. As a state we should support bills such as Senator McCarthy’s proposed Safe Driver’s Act of 2011 so that one can eventually become law. The purpose of the bill proposed by Congresswoman McCarthy of New York is â€Å"to enhance safety of individuals by banning the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving, and for other purposes† (H. R. 1). According to McCarthy there are two primary efforts to the bill that direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish regulations and require the DOT to conduct a two year study on distracted driving. The legislation is modeled after the National Minimum Legal Drinking Age Act and the nation’s federal Blood Alcohol Content standard. She also points out that â€Å"the penalty for not complying with the DOT’s minimum standards within two years of enactment would be a withholding of 25 percent of a state’s federal highway transportation funding†. An editorial in the Idaho Press Tribune addresses concerns of those opposed to bans by stating, â€Å"Being able to stop drivers for texting alone would discourage the practice and save lives, just like DUI laws can keep drunk drivers off the road. Obviously, people will continue to send texts and drive just like some continue to get behind the wheel after too many drinks, but a text ban would give officers an avenue to potentially prevent a tragedy†. This concept can be directly applied to any form of distracted driving, which are all dangerous and can’t be ignored. As an activist against distracted driving having been personally affected by tragedy, I propose that we draw out the humanistic trait of empathy and support legislation that would help prevent more injuries and deaths. Works Cited Abel, Glen. Idaho: Cell Phone Laws, Legislation.   Idaho Text Messaging Laws. 2008-2011. Web. 05 Apr. 2012. lt;http://handsfreeinfo. com/idaho-cell-phone-laws-legislationgt;. Callegari, John. Rep. McCarthy, D-Mineola, Pushes for Handheld Phone Driving Ban. Editorial. Long Island Business News 23 June 2011. EBSCO. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. Copeland, Larry. Despite the Data, Teens Missing Message on Risks. Editorial. USA Today 20 Sept. 2010. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. Hoffman, Wayne. Texting Ban Creates Legal Enigma for Idahoans. Idaho Press-Tribune. The Idaho Press-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2012.