Virginias SOL Testing. :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The abbreviation SOL stands for, Standards of Learning. The Standards of Learning is a test that was devised in the spring of 1998 to provide information on the progress of students toward meeting achievement levels. To me as a citizen of Virginia, and as a student, I think this test is a burden on most students in all grade levels, and should be eliminated. Because first, the number of tests being administered to student each year is outrageous, second, the penalties a student has to face for failing are too harsh, and third, it puts the school in jeopardy of losing its accreditation which is a no win situation. Virginia’s Standards of Learning has come under much criticism over the past couple of years, and I for one think it deserves to be criticized. Each year student in every school district across America have to take two or more test such as, the (LPT) Literacy Passport Test, the Stanford-9 exam or the (SOL) Standards of Learning, depending on the grade level. In two out of these three tests, students are required to pass in order to graduate, and judging by last years test scores, most students future would be endangered if they are unable to bring there score up. This has led to the question, â€Å"are we testing our students too much†? This question was bought up at a General Assembly meeting in March of 2000, the Virginia Board of Education responded by saying they would move the Stanford-9 exam from the spring to the fall, so it would not interfere with the spring SOL tests. But this still is not enough for me, because all of these tests are designed to do one thing, and that is to evaluate a student’s comprehensive knowledge of a certain subject. So what I don’t get is, why do a student have to take two or more test a year just to evaluate his understanding of a certain subject.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since this test has been devised, the number one question everybody is asking is, â€Å" isn’t it unfair to base a student’s entire future on one test, when he or she simply could have had a bad day when taking the test†? The president Kirk T. Schroder of the Virginia Board of Education, answer this question by saying, â€Å"First of all, these tests are untimed, so no student is under arbitrary time pressure in taking the test.

To compare The Charge of the Light Brigade with The Destruction of Essa

To compare The Charge of the Light Brigade with The Destruction of Sennacherib In this essay we are going to be comparing two war poems. They are ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) and ‘The Destruction of Sennacherib’ by Lord Byron (1788-1824). ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ is set in the Crimean war. It is about the British cavalry getting the wrong orders and going straight at the enemy’s cannons. ‘The Destruction of Sennacherib’ is a biblical story. The story tells us about a whole army being wiped out really quickly as they slept by the ‘Angel of Death’. The first poem we are going to look at is ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892). In this poem Tennyson describes the valley that the cavalry had to gallop along as ‘The Valley of Death’. This makes you think that as they go along the valley the soldiers will die. He describes the soldiers as heroic and he admires their courage because the soldiers did not question their orders even though they were likely to be killed. To emphasise this ..

Adoption is a Family Affair!

Joyce Maguire Pavao, the author of â€Å"The Family of Adoption† has been successful in capturing the essence of adoption, the challenges it brings as well as the necessities that would help in handling these challenges.   Being an adopted child herself, she has a great understanding of the challenges and needs, not only of the adopted child, but the adoptive parent and birth parent as well.The book has a more practical and realistic feel since the author willingly shared her own experiences as an adopted child. One characteristic of the book that should be noted is the way the author categorized the whole book.   Covering the essentials not limited to the adopted child alone.The author also generously shared insights about the needs of the birth and adoptive parent.   It is very important to know the rationale behind her principle that the whole process of adoption does not only include the adopted child but the other individual surrounding her as well.   Her book has admirably captured and discussed this principle.In the book, the author well discussed the processes that the birth parent and the adoptive parents.   This part recognizes the fact that even the parents (birth and adoptive) may go through the process of grief and experiences dilemmas as well.In line with this, the book stated that the parents (birth and adoptive) may also need to go through the process of healing.   To further strengthen this fact, the author mentioned that there is a need for the adoptive parent to undergo counseling since this will help the adoptive parent to better understand and have a healthy relationship with the adoptive child.The book mentioned that an adopted child may go through â€Å"developmental stages† such us feelings of loss, experiencing problems in school and the wanting to know about their past.   The author mentioned that the adopted child have every right to know as much about his or her past.The adoptive parents should be open to this fact.   Apart from this, the author was able to clarify the different challenges and developmental stages that the adopted child goes thru.   She said that these are normal.   They may be challenging, but they are a normal process that the adopted child goes thru.In the book, it is stated that adoption â€Å"is not about finding children for families, but about finding families for children.†Ã‚   The items discussed in the book are somehow a reminder that the best interest of the adopted child should always be the priority of the parents.   In the first part of Chapter 1, the author said that â€Å"There have always been mothers and fathers who have not been able to, or not chosen to, or not been allowed to, parent their children†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚   This is a sad fact that Joyce Maguire Pavao has beautifully placed into proper perspective.The birth parents have had their share of criticism from many because they gave up their child.   But it is important to reme mber that the birth parents have reasons as to why they chose to give up their child for adoption.   Birth parents need the same understanding, perhaps, as that of the adopted child.This book presented us with the reality that adoption is a commitment more than anything else.   It is a process that needs the cooperation of both the birth and adoptive family of the child.Openness of both families is essential to the growth and better development of the child.   It is important to accept that the adopted child will go thru confusing stages that may prove to be a challenge for the parents.But because of the commitment that the parents choose to make, these challenges, when faced properly, may prove to be the cause of a better relationship with the child.  Ã‚   While the family (parents and child) are going through the different challenges that the process of adoption brought about, it is critical for the parents to remind themselves that the best interest of the child should al ways be the main concern.A lot of people have different opinion with regards to adoption.   Some may even have negative notions about it.   Apart from the usual challenges that an adoptive parent may face while going through the process of adoption, the opinions and reactions of the people around them is another thing that they would need to deal with.It is not enough that the adoptive couple alone understand and is happy about adopting.   It is vital that they have the support and understanding of the people they care about.The book â€Å"Adoption is a Family Affair† is perfect for the families and friends of the adoptive couple.   Patricia Irwin covered the different areas that families of the adoptive parents should know about.   Areas such as who can adopt, reasons behind the decision of adopting, kids understanding adopting and much more.She made the whole adoption process something that can be and should be shared amongst family members and even close friends.    This book is a helping hand to the families and close friends of the adoptive couple, for them to better grasp then reality of and better understand the decision made by their loved one.Patricia Irwin herself is an adoptive parent, given this, she may as well have experienced the confusions of her family and friends about her decision to adopt.   She has a clearer understanding of the need for the people who the adoptive couple cares about to know as much fact as possible with regards to adoption.It is important that the author pictured in the very beginning of her book that there can be a negative reaction from the people the adoptive parents care most about when the couple decides to share the information of adoption to them.   Like most of us, of course we would love for it for the people we equally love to feel the happiness and excitement we feel when we decide to adopt.   And as the author clearly illustrated, this is not always the case.The book acknowledges valid fears and concerns of the families and friends of the adoptive parents.   Some of the valid concerns that the author discussed were the permanence of adoption, whether the child will be different from them or will not fit, the racial difference, should grandparents include the adopted child in their will, how can the family have deeper bonds with the child, etc.These are all valid concerns and important.   In fact, the adoptive couple may have thought about all these things themselves.Patricia Irwin was great in giving solutions or suggestions on how to deal with these fears and concerns.   Some of her solutions were as simple as the family members spending time with the child to create a deeper bond, giving assurance to the family members that adoption is permanent, and the like.One interesting part of the book is where the author gave examples of the possibly irritating comments given by friends and relatives of adoptive couples upon knowing of the couples’ decision t o adopt.   These comments show how uninformed some people are about adoption.   It illustrates how some people, no matter how closely related they may be to the adoptive couple, can be insensitive about the whole adoption process.There were financial related comments where it appears as if the child is someone the adoptive couple picks from a shelf display of children and pays for it at the counter.   Some comments were just downright insensitive and would not be expected to have come from well educated individuals.Of course, we cannot expect everyone to be knowledgeable about adoption.   As the book illustrated, the families and relatives of the adoptive couple may be confused and misinformed about adoption.This book has truly been informative and is useful for the family and friends of the adoptive couple.   It plainly made clear the issues that the adoptive couples may go through in connection with the possible reactions, confusions and hesitations of the people around them who they wish to be a part of the adoption process.Reference ListPavao JM. The Family of Adoption. Boston: Beacon Press; 2004Johnston PI. Adoption is a Family Affair. Indianapolis: Perspective Press;

Lord Capulet Essay

Within the scene where Capulet is crossed by Tybalt at his masked ball, Capulet differs again. His mood suddenly changes from being humorous and charming to being hot headed and flying of the handle. I believe he is short tempered and is unable to control it; he becomes very angry towards Tybalt. â€Å"Why, how now, kinsman! Wherefore storm you so?† This demonstrates to the audience how infuriating he can be. I speculate the audiences learn that Capulet is a changeable character, as he is logical and caring but he becomes deadly serious when someone tries to challenge him. He assumes people should respect his authority. In act three, Lord Capulet informs his wife about the proposal. Lady Capulet deems Juliet will be overjoyed with the news â€Å"hath sorted out a sudden day of joy that thou expect’st not nor I look’d not for† she has a positive view to marriage and feels all she needs is a man. She reveals the news to Juliet. At first Juliet considers the proposal as good news. But she then says she would rather marry her enemy than marry Paris. This is amusing because she has previously married her enemy, Romeo, in secret. â€Å"I will not marry yet; and, when I do, I swear, I shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather than Paris† This shows Juliet is intensely in love with Romeo. Lady Capulet says â€Å"here comes your father; tell him yourself.† I imagine she wouldn’t tell him, Presuming Capulet will go insane. As he evidently did so, â€Å"I will drag thee on a hurdle thither, out, you green- sickness carrion! Out, you baggage! You tallow -face!† This demonstrates how contrasting his thoughts really are, he can not believe she is being so ungrateful. Previously He was praising her up, saying how dearly he loves her and how divine she is. But now he states she is worthless that Juliet is like a curse and wishes she was no longer here. In addition he told Paris that it was Juliet’s decision if she’d like to marry him. He went back on his word and gave Juliet no choice of the matter, using his authority to over rule her, this is proof he was contradicting himself. In this time women were owned by their fathers until their time of marriage when they became property of their husbands. Capulet’s goal was to find a suitable match for his darling daughter, having so Juliet refused and Capulet became immoral, he bellowed wicked things to Juliet, which today no father would dare say. I presuppose Capulet thinks he has the right to speak to his daughter in such a way because she is his ‘property’ I don’t think this is right, nobody should be spoken to in that manner. I sense Juliet was distressed because of this. â€Å"I’ll to the friar, to know his remedy if all else fail, myself have power to die† Lord Capulet is an over powering man, he demands and receives what he w ishes, no matter if he hurts someone’s feelings, especially his own flesh and bloods. Overall I have discussed that Lord Capulet has two completely opposite sides to him. He can be kind, loving, and charming, e.g. scene one, but he can soon flip to becoming unmistakably hot- headed, controlling and malicious preparing us for his actions in scene five.

Bullying in the Elementry School Essay

Every day we face situations that affect our diary to live. The children have a beautiful daily beginning, until they come to their school environment. There they found truly friends, but also children who damage them. The school harassment or â€Å"bullying† is a social problem that affects the majority of the children in our country and the world. The school harassment is the intimidation that a child creates, with power or force and aggression on one or more children to call the attention or simply to avoid to be one more. The â€Å"bullying† since better it is known refers to any act of physical or verbal aggression that it realizes one or more children against his homonyms. At the global level there is a phenomenon that affects the education of children and young people. This is manifested within the centers of education and has been for decades a serious problem that can bring repercussions to the students. Garcia (2011) indicates that the bullying cause serious damage to the mental and physical health in the people involved. It is inferred that the bullying is a problem, to the extent that we see as the students identify to this as an evil that harm permanently or part. Another reason is that it breaks with the expectations of society, which searches for a good school environment and therefore, it becomes an antisocial behavior reprehensible. To learn this behavior we must begin with the main participant, the aggressor. The aggressor is usually mostly feel need to dominate, are impulsive, show little empathy and are presented as people physically stronger. Olweus (1980) reaffirmed that it is natural to assume that they have developed a certain degree of hostility toward the environment, such feelings and impulses can make injure or harm to others causing them satisfaction. The aggressors may be people who work, study or provide services within the school and its grounds. We emphasize that the aggressor is not only the student but that involves other people. The spectator is an indirect aggressor, which according to Trautmann (2008), is the hearing of the aggressor and in which the aggressor is stimulated or inhibited by them. Any type of attacker can reach express violence with direct contact, psychological, emotional and the use of technology. These, the aggressor and the spectator or cooperator assault to another person, the victim, which suffers from all the aggressions. Galvez (2008), mentions that the victims usually are children that do not have the resources or skills to react, are little sociable, sensitive and fragile. Children who suffer from bullying are rejected by the other students and live in constant search of acceptance. These behaviors can have serious consequences for the physical and mental health of the victim permanently or part. From the right to education, physical, mental and the life, is that I am looking for studying this phenomenon as a social problem so that, identify their mode of operation, how to treat it and prevent it. Bullying The term bullying (Olweus, 1978) is now common in the literature on the topic of bullying among schoolchildren, to refer the situation of sustained violence, mental or physical, guided by an individual or by a group, directed at another individual in the group, who cannot defend themselves. The problem, being a new phenomenon, if it adopts new dimensions and it is worrying that our industrialized society that seems to have reached a certain level of welfare, employment of abuse and violence in school environments, paradoxically being detected ever so more alarmingly early age. The analysis of the problem offers some things to consider. It can be verbal, physical or psychosocial. Sometimes presents socially acceptable ways such as competitiveness academic, sports, social success, which in itself makes others feel inferior. It is necessarily repetitive behavior and causes pain at the time of the attack and sustained, to create an expectation on the victim of being white future attacks it is characterized by the dominance of the powerful over the weak in any context. The dynamic character bullying is â€Å"expansive† since its inception; a specific episode of abuse happens to be an assiduous dynamics of exclusion, violence and impaired socialization. It comes as a group phenomenon, from the moment that requires the support of the group and therefore, must be within the network of relationships that it is generated. Ramirez (2002) mentions that bullying is usually violent events among students and on occasion, there have been reports of violence by individuals outside the classroom to students. They identify certain behaviors as other forms of violence that affect the relationship between students and teachers, such as absenteeism, lack of participation and punctuality. It should be noted that in many of the cases, a student’s absences constant victim of harassment are to avoid being attacked, mocked at school and choose not to go to the classroom. Being one of the most common characteristics a victim of bullying. Areas affected by bullying Professor Dan Olweus was initiated investigations on the subject of bullying. At the beginning of 1970, Olweus began their investigations within schools in Norway, presenting a problem about assaults on persons; it is noteworthy that the institution had no interest on the subject. It was not until the 1980s that three young people between 10 and 14 years old committed suicide as a result of the activity of aggression upon them by their peers, thus arousing the attention of educational institutions on the problem. Education it is essential for the progress of a person and the country, also that it is a constitutional right. This phenomenon happens in all centers of education and in all its facets. Obviously affect the education of students to large scale and their mental, physical and emotional health. Because of this, it is vital that you consider this phenomenon as a problem and identify ways to treat it and prevent it. To achieve this, we must attack its root, which is located within the school facilities. It is important to study the bullying at the family level, since education starts at home, teaching behaviors to avoid that children create behavior hostile or conversely, too quiet. Also of utmost importance that the family is in constant orientation in order to keep your children from bullying and be able to identify when they are victims of this. Rodrigo (2004) says that family relations continue to be a relevant element in the analysis of behavior and lifestyle of the teenager. Aviles (2002) indicates that both the structural aspects of the educational institution and its dynamics are very important in explaining and, above all, prevent abuses among equals at the school. Polanin (2012) suggests that researchers and administrators of the school should consider the implementation of programs that focus on the supplementary behavior of transient bullying intervention and prevention programs. Cepeda, Pacheco, Garcia and Piraquive (2008), indicate that to learn if there is bullying, we must recognize that there is a relationship of power, power-submission, by one or more assailants on the victim and if the aggression has been consecutively. Attacks could be physical with some degree of aggression or psychological. Salmivalli (1999), comments that the aggressor is classified into two types, the predominantly dominant with antisocial tendency and the antisocial predominantly related to a low self-esteem. Recent research Del Prado (2011) notes that there has always been bullying and that many of the victims are marked for life. He mentions that according to statistics, 12 out of 100 students suffer bullying by peers. It indicates that victims choose to suffer isolation and a terrible fear of going back to school, clinging to silence as his only witness. Also infers that contrary to myth, the aggressor is not always bigger and stronger. This can be any child with low self-esteem need to get attention from their peers. He advises that we must ensure that the victim signals show how, insulation, etc. depressive symptoms. It concludes that a good interaction of the institution and parents is crucial in preventing this phenomenon, but that happened is the responsibility of the school. Traulsen (2011) this has been a drastic change of bullying. One of the new ways is cyber bullying, which is committed to social networks or technological means. Indicates that bullying can occur because of race, color, religion, sexual preference etc†¦ The victim did not reach the necessary maturity, fails to adequately address this situation. It is difficult for parents to detect that your child is being targeted because they tend to isolate themselves and hide the facts. For this family, school and government are essential to help combat this evil. The author infers that it is time to take drastic action against this phenomenon that is often taken for granted, so that in this way we ensure viable and proper education. Martinez (2005) investigated bullying and specific problems or patterns that occur in schools. The author conducted a review of the main conflicts of bullying, with the purpose of investigating and detecting possible solutions. We mentioned some factors that influence antisocial behavior as social inequality, the media, the motivation of the student and others. Refer some of antisocial behaviors that arise in the school as classroom disruption, indiscipline, vandalism, physical violence, psychological, social and in some cases, sexual assault. The conclusion is that using any direct remedy to remedy the phenomenon, beyond programs and techniques will be effective in resolving this conflict. Barcelo (2011) indicates that violence in the family learned and interactions with the environment influence bullying. He reports that for us to understand this phenomenon, teachers need to see this phenomenon as one of violence. Defines bullying as a type of violence where there are three participants who consist of the offender, victim and the spectators. The stalker uses different types of techniques from physical, verbal, psychological, social and racial harassment. As a result, the victim feels isolated and sometimes even can lead to dropout, suicide or retaliate against the aggressor to death. From here you have the need to intervene with this phenomenon and use punitive methods to the aggressor. And finally work with the victim, improving self-esteem and school environment. Teresa (2010) indicates that in the phenomenon of bullying are direct and indirect aggressors. Live is one who commits indirect aggression and has been the viewer. Mostly the harasser is narcissistic and needs of people who support or encourage them to commit their acts. Here is where the participation of the viewer aggressor, who plays a double role. On the one hand supports the harasser but the other is solidarity with the victim. This becomes a stalker and manipulator. Mention other accomplice’s classification called conscious or unconscious, the first known his actions and still participates. The second is usually a person close to the stalker who acts without realizing the facts. Study concludes that there are certain to classify accurately, what kinds of people are bullies. What if it could be located, is that bullies mostly come from the upper class. Methods to assess bullying Arzoz (2011) in his Thesis Analysis of the Situation and Proposed Intervention in an Education Center recommends an evaluation of intervention programs and techniques carried out in schools about bullying. He argues that it should take an individualized program in each school that meets the needs of them and take into account existing features. He points out that there is a shortage of technical or individualized treatments with students. Refers to the method of questionnaire on campuses is a good tool to detect bullying and work on time or remedy in cases where necessary. On the other hand emphasizes the validity of the method Pikas and teaching social skills as a factor in prevention. The author concludes that having prevention programs, we would reduce the phenomenon in question. Garcia (2011) states that as bullying phenomenon. This postulates that the lack of values, economics, drugs, among others, may be determining factors for violence in the perpetrator arises. Also emphasizes the serious damage this phenomenon generated on both sides: bully-victim, and that the best strategy is prevention. For this, we have developed a program that is based on parameter to the prevention and students involved in bullying. Within the prevention distinguishes three lines starring: education in emotions, feelings and values in cooperative group work and democratic management of coexistence. In the situation of students involved have proposed six programs which are: a) conflict resolution, b) peer support, c) quality circles d) development programs empathy, e) and f assertiveness programs ) the Pikas method. Emphasizes that despite the myths no spend this very worrying phenomenon that prevails in all schools at all levels.

Identify the Key Aspects of Current Legislative Requeirments and Code of Practice Relevant to Your Subject and the Type of Oragnisation Within Which You Would Like to Work

IDENTIFY THE KEY ASPECTS OF CURRENT LEGISLATIVE REQUEIRMENTS AND CODE OF PRACTICE RELEVANT TO YOUR SUBJECT AND THE TYPE OF ORAGNISATION WITHIN WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK At present there is no specific legalisation related to beauty/ holistic/ wellbeing, it’s self not statutorily regulated. Therapies operate within their own codes of practice which relate to the ethical actions of the therapist in any situation including teaching and sharing the benefits of such therapies through consultation. Aromatherapy and nail treatments teaching though must take into consideration legislation regulating the use of potentially harmful oils and substances: ? Control of substances hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) ? Good management which help asses risks, implement any measures need to control exposure and establish good working practice. There is however legislation which cross-cut organisations and must be observed regardless of regulation such as: ? Equal opportunities Act ? Data protection Act 2007 Safeguards the fundamental rights of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and its free movement ? Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 ? Protecting others against risks to health and safety in connection with the activity of persons ? Special educational needs and disabilities act 2001 ( an amendment to the Disability discrimination act 1995) ? Making it unlawful to discriminate against disabled persons in employment and the provision of goods and facilities Offering th e holistic and beauty courses means being aware of legislation pecific to the settings which make provision about quality standards, independence, wellbeing and choice relating to the way in which services are delivered. ? Further education training act 2007 ? The health and social care (community health standards) act 2003 ? Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services 2006 ? Choosing health: making healthy choices easier 2004 ? FENTO standards for teaching and supporting learning in further education ? Office for standards oin education (OFSTED) ? Employment equality (age) regulations 2006 – vocation training ? Learning and skills act 200

Adam Reres

Adam Reres Essay Ms. CooperU.S. History II19 march 2004Three Mile IslandThree Mile Island is a nuclear power plant located in Harrisburg, PA. Ithad two pressurized water reactors. One in which began its service in 1974and is the best performing reactor in the US. However its other reactor isalmost brand new and suffered a server nuke clear meltdown. March 28th 1979at approximately 4:00 a.m. a minor malfunction created a rise intemperature to the primary coolant. The reactor shut down as a safety result. In no time a pilot-operatedrelief valve (PORV) on the reactors cooling system opened but did notclose. This caused reactor coolant water to leak out and soon drained thetank of its coolant (Wikipeia). As a effect of the lost coolant, highpressure pumps pushed replacement water into the reactor system. Water andsteam then escaped through its relief valve as cooling water surged to thereactor. In this type of situation, the operators were trained to reduce theflow of the replacement water. Their training told them that thepressurizer water level was the only dependable indication of the amount ofcooling water in the system. Because the pressuriser level was increasing,they thought the reactor system was too full of water They were told to doall they could to keep the pressuriser from filling with water. If itfilled, they could not control pressure in the cooling system and it mightrupture. Operators responded by reducing the flow of replacement water. Steam thenformed in the reactor cooling system. Pumping a mixture of steam and watercaused the reactor cooling pumps to vibrate. If the severe vibrations couldhave damaged the pumps they would made them unusable, so the operators shutdown the pumps. This ended the forced cooling of the reactor. However, as reactor coolant water boiled away, the reactors fuel core wasuncovered and became even hotter. The fuel rods were damaged and releasedradioactive material into the cooling water. At 6:22 am operators closed ablock valve between the relief valve and the pressuriser. This actionstopped the loss of coolant water through the relief valve. However,superheated steam and gases blocked the flow of water through the corecooling system (Wikipeia). By late afternoon, operators began high-pressureinjection of water into the reactor cooling system to increase pressure andto collapse steam bubbles. By 7:50 pm, they restored forced cooling of thereactor when they were able to restart one reactor coolant pump. They hadcondensed steam so that the pump could run without severe vibrations. FromMarch 29 and 30, operators used a system of pipes and compressors to movethe gas to waste gas decay tanks(Wikipeia). The compressors leaked, andsome radioactive gas was released to the environmentAfte r an anxious month, on 27 April operators established naturalconvection circulation of coolant. The reactor core was being cooled by thenatural movement of water rather than by mechanical pumping. The plant wasin cold shutdown. The cleanup of the damaged nuclear reactor system at TMI-2 took nearly12 years and cost approximately $973 million. The Plant surfaces had to bedecontaminated. Any water used and stored during the cleanup had to beprocessed. And about 100 tones of damaged uranium fuel had to be removedfrom the reactor vessel all without hazard to cleanup workers or thepublic. (Wikipeia)OpinionI see Three Mile Island as history repeating itself; It reminded me alot of the Titanic. The crew on titanic and in the operators room weretold that an accident was nearly impossible so that when something happenedthey didnt know how to react properly or knew entirely what was going on. READ: The last of the mohicans Persuasive EssayHowever, they responded with there instincts which only made the problemworse. Unlike the Titanic though, no one died in Three Mile Island. The Three Mile Island incident was in a way a good lesion to the US inworking with nuclear generated power. We saw that it is a force of naturethat is very powerful. Its dangers are very real, anything could happen,and if something did happen when using the nuclear power many could die. Wesaw that we should not assume anything in a time of delicate decisionshttp://en.wikipeia.com/wiki/Three_Mile_Island, Wikipeia, Joan , lastmodified 02:19, 15 Mar 2004The plants main feedwater pumps in the secondary non-nuclear coolingsystem failed at about 4:00 a.m. on March 28, 1979. This failure was due toeither a mechanical or electrical failure and prevented the steamgenerators from removing heat. First the turbine, then the reactorautomatically shut down. Immediately, the pressure in the primary system(the nuclear portion of the plant) began to increase. In order to preventthat pressure from becoming excessive, the pressurizer relief valve (avalve located at the top of the pressurizer) opened. T he valve should haveclosed when the pressure decreased by a certain amount, but it did not. Signals available to the operator failed to show that the valve was stillopen. As a result, the stuck-open valve caused the pressure to continue todecrease in the system. Meanwhile, another problem appeared elsewhere in the plant. The emergencyfeedwater system (backup to main feedwater) was tested 42 hours prior tothe accident. As part of the test, a valve is closed and then reopened atthe end of the test. But this time, through either an administrative orhuman error, the valve was not reopened preventing the emergencyfeedwater system from functioning. The valve was discovered closed abouteight minutes into the accident. Once it was reopened, the emergencyfeedwater system began to work correctly, allowing cooling water to flowinto the steam generators. As the system pressure in the primary system continued to decrease, voids(areas where no water is present) began to form in portions of the systemother than the pressurizer. Because of these voids, the water in the systemwas redistributed and the pressurizer became full of water. The levelindicator, which tells the operator the amount of coolant capable of heatremoval, incorrectly indicated the system was full of water. Thus, theoperator stopped adding water. He was unaware that, because of the stuckvalve, the indicator could, and in this instance did, provide falsereadings. After almost eighty minutes of slow temperature rise the primary loop pumpsbegin to shudder as steam rather than water began to pass through them. Thepumps were shut down, and it was believed that natural circulation wouldcontinue the water movement. Steam in the system locked the primary loop,and as the water stopped circulating it was converted to steam inincreasing amounts. After around 130 minutes since the first malfunction,the top of the reactor core was exposed and the heat and steam drove areaction involving hydrogen and other radioactive gases with the zirconiumrod cladding. The quench tank ruptured, and radioactive coolant began toleak out into the general containment building. At 6 a.m. there was a shiftchange in the control room. A new arrival noticed that the temperature inthe holding tanks was excessive and used a backup valve to shut off thecoolant venting. Around 250,000 gallons (950 m) of coolant had alreadybeen lost from the primary loop. It was not until 165 minute s after thestart of the problem that radiation alarms activated as contaminated waterreached detectors, by which time the radiation levels in the primarycoolant water were around 300 times expected levels.