https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/04/03/autistic-boy-shows-up-for-standardized-test-with-his-service-dog-heres-what-happened-next/
Strauss, Valerie. "Autistic Boy Shows up for Test with His Service Dog. Here's What Happened Next." Washingonpost.com. 3 Apr. 2016. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

Standardized testing, whether you approve or disapprove of it has been questioned more and more when it comes to its actual value. But perhaps even more serious than that are cases where the system becomes flat out unethical, specifically when it comes to children with disabilities. Such is the case with the boy talked about in this article. He's autistic, and has a service dog. Unfortunately, the dog was not allowed to be there when he took the test, leaving the boy in tears and ultimately unable to take the test at all. This isn't the only time things like this have happened either. One of the most tragic and infuriating examples is when the mother of a child in a morphine-induced coma, who unfortunately passed away in 2014, had to go out of her way to convince the state that her son was unable to take the test. These children and other children like them have been denied the accommodations that they need in order to take the test.

If you ask me, this has to stop. I understand that the rules are in place to prevent the student from cheating, but sometimes exceptions need to be made. Is following the rules to a T really worth it if it puts these children and their families in so much grief? I think not! At this point, this is just cruel! Why make these children and families who already face challenges suffer even more? Shouldn't it go without saying that it's impossible to take a standardized test while in a coma?! This is one of those issues that I get really passionate about if you couldn't tell!

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/nyregion/big-question-on-new-york-state-tests-how-many-will-opt-out.html?_r=0

Harris, Elizabeth A. "Big Question on New York State Tests: How Many Will Opt Out?" Nytimes.com. 5 Apr. 2016. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.


Despite all of the problems with the testing, there have recently been some much needed modifications. There is no longer a time limit, and the results no longer affect the job ratings of teachers. However, many people are choosing to opt out, and not make their children take the test. In fact, last year, twenty percent of the students in New York opted out! Some argue that persuading people to out of the test is like teaching kids that it's ok not to do their work, and some think it's a good way to see how students are doing. But more and more people seem to be opting out.

A lot of the things people argue about these tests are debatable and up for discussion. For example: we're still uncertain whether or not these tests are good ways to see what a student has learned. The issue is that it's not that simple. Not every child learns the same way, and some can learn better in some environments than in others. If you ask me, this is precisely why the tests are not a good way to track progress. The different ways that students learn are not taken into consideration, instead assuming that all students learn the same way, which of course they don't.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/nyregion/opt-out-pressuresopen-rift-between-new-york-education-officials.html?action=click&contentCollection=N.Y.%20%2F%20Region&module=RelatedCoverage&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article

Taylor, Kate. "Teachers Are Warned About Criticizing New York State Tests." Nytimes.com. 24 Mar. 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

It seems that education officials have been sympathetic to opposers of the tests, having shortened them and gotten rid of the time limit. The chancellor of the board of regents, Betty A. Rosa, has even said that she would opt out if her children were of testing age. However, in New York City, this is not the case. In District 15 in Brooklyn, which had the most test refusals in the city last year, superintendent Anita Skop has said that if an educator encourages opting out, that qualifies as a political act, and as public employees, educators are unable to make political statements. The consequences of doing so have not been specified, but many teachers and principals have chosen to remain neutral for fear of losing their jobs. Many schools have been told by officials that they should not try to persuade people to opt out.

I understand that the state wants the testing to continue, and their intentions are probably good, but I think this is going too far. It's not right to try to stop educators from speaking their minds on the subject, especially since they and their students are the ones affected by this whole thing to begin with! Teachers and principals shouldn't have to worry about losing their jobs simply for criticizing the tests. I think that officials know that opposers of the tests could win this battle, and are trying to stop them. Hopefully we will come out on top and the state tests will some day be a thing of the past.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/with-orca-changes-seaworld-must-live-without-iconic-shamu/2016/03/19/d8106fce-edd1-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

"Will SeaWorld Survive without Orca Shows?" The Washington Post. 20 Mar. 2016. Web.

The treatment of performing animals has been questioned more frequently in the past few years, and it seems as though the people who own these animals are finally giving in to the demands of animal activists. Sea World recently announced that they would no longer be breeding whales, so there will be no new whales brought up there. The show can only go on as long as the current whales live. The issue of the ethics of keeping whales in captivity has been talked about for quite a while, but a few years ago, a documentary called Blackfish came out, telling the story of a whale at Sea World that killed its trainer, and addressing the cruel treatment of the orcas in general. This was what really sparked the controversy that ultimately lead to Sea World stopping its breeding of whales. People can no longer ignore the cruelty, their eyes have been opened. It’s a victory for animal activists everywhere!

As an animal lover, all I can say is, it's about time! As much as I enjoyed Sea World as a child, I know better now, and I know without a doubt that this change is for the best. Orcas are such beautiful and majestic creatures, and the fact that so many have been abused over the years is nothing short of heartbreaking. Sea World definitely made the right decision.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/01/11/ringling-bros-elephants-headed-for-an-early-retirement-in-florida/

Dennis, Brady. "Ringling Bros. Elephants Headed for an Early Retirement in Florida." The Washington Post. 11 Jan. 2016. Web.

Orcas aren't the only animal performers being retired. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus will be retiring their famous elephants in May. They will be going to a sanctuary in Florida, where they will without a doubt be happier than they are in the circus. Animal activists have been trying to get the circus to stop using elephants for a while now, and it's finally paid off. While the circus still assures the public that its elephants are treated humanely, many people are not so sure about that. After taking legal action against the circus, the elephants will finally be released from their chains and be given the proper care.

I have similar thoughts on this as I do with the orcas at Sea World. Elephants are highly intelligent creatures that have feelings just like us. They have close bonds with their families, support each other, and even grieve when one of them dies. It's simply not right to make them perform like this, especially with all the suspicion that they are not being treated as well as the circus claims they are. These creatures deserve better lives than the ones they have been living and now they will finally be happy.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/01/06/a-big-win-for-animals-the-fbi-now-tracks-animal-abuse-like-it-tracks-homicides/

Itkowitz, Colby. "A Big Win for Animals: The FBI Now Tracks Animal Abuse like It Tracks Homicides." The Washington Post. 6 Jan. 2016. Web.

Up until recently, police weren't keeping track of animal abuse crimes. This is because these cases didn't fit into a specific category. This year however, animal abuse cases have been given their own separate category. This means that the police will be keeping track of these cases the way they do with other crimes. This data will be helpful for figuring out whether animal cruelty is on the rise or decline.

This is a big victory for animal activists. For the first time, we will be able to get a bigger picture on how often and to what degree animals are being abused. With that information we will be able to figure out if the frequency and degree of animal abuse is increasing or decreasing, and act accordingly. With causes like this, it's important to know the facts, and those are hard to figure out without good data. But keeping track of these cases will definitely help the cause of making the world a safer place for animals.

Winter Orb Project

The thrilling conclusion to the epic Lunar Chronicles saga has been released at last! Join Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, Scarlet, the spunky girl who's in love with a wolf mutant,  Cress, the hacker who has spent her whole life on a satelite, and the others as they start a revolution and dethrone the evil Queen Levana! But this will not be an easy task, as the queen has many devious tricks up her sleeve, and will do anything to stay in power, no matter how cruel and bloody.

 So when Levana sees her stepdaughter, the beautiful Princess Winter, as a threat to her throne, she will stop at nothing to kill her and make sure she stays in control. But thanks to a guard named Jacin, she is able to escape. She joins Cinder and her friends, and together they intend to stop Levana once and for all. But the queen hasn't given up, and will try to destroy Winter no matter what. Can Winter escape her wicked stepmother's wrath and conquer her inner demons, or will she fall prey to both? Will she and her new friends be able to rise up against the oppressive queen, and earn their happy endings, or will the villain have the last laugh? 

Fantasy meets science-fiction, in this futuristic retelling of classic fairytales, breathing new life into the stories we thought we already knew. Do your average fairytales have mutant wolf men, biological weapons, cyborgs, or mind control and shapeshifting powers? I didn't think so! So hop into your space ship and hold on tight, because it's going to be one bumpy ride!




If you want to learn more about the author, Marissa Meyer, click here:
http://www.themarysue.com/interview-marissa-meyer/