Diseases of the breasts are a common occurrence in women...

Diseases of the breasts are a common occurrence in women; about one out of eight women in the United States are affected by breast cancer, which is not gender specific, rarely occurs in men as well. The female breasts also called mammary glands are located between second and seventh rib, in front of the human chest, over the pectoralis major muscle, and consists of three types of tissues; glandular, fibrous and adipose tissues, including lymph vessels serving to drain excess fluid. Many women suffer from common changes in breast tissue which are non-cancerous masses or lumps that may develop on occasion which are called fibroadenomas. Fibrocystic disease affects pre-menopausal women and is characterized by lumpy irregular breast tissue,†¦show more content†¦Some researchers state that increased time of wearing a brassier may contribute to development of breast cancers. The research showed that women who did not wear a bra had about a 60% less chance to acquire breast diseas es, and supported that the under garment provided increased temperature of the breast, as well as tightness that would affect the lymphatic system flow, therefore causing abnormalities. Symptoms that indicate breast cancer are not detected easily. Benign masses, as well as malignancies may present as a lumps, most commonly in the upper portion of the breast. Other symptoms include dimpling of the skin; changes in size and color of the nipple, purulent or bloody discharge form the nipples or other irregularities when performing a breast exam, including the axillary region. Once the cancer invades other organs the patient may suffer from pain and discomfort, weight loss, joint pain, fever, skin disorders and swelling. Extent of the invasion will indicate the symptoms seen and experienced by the patient. Organs attacked by malignancy vary on the origin and location of the tumor. 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Financial Analysis of Blackmore Company †Get a Complete Report

Question: Discuss about the Report for Financial Analysis of Blackmores Company. Answer: Introduction of Blackmores It is a natural health company which is leading in Australia. The founder of this company Maurice Blackmore (1906-1977) was actually passionate about the natural health from the vision of the naturopath. He actually believes that health is more important than anything in life and also he encourages the people that they should take care of themselves as well as their health. This company offers products and services which provides natural approach at a large extent to health which is based on the experts advice of vitamins, minerals, herbs and nutrients. They provide the good quality range in vitamin, minerals, herbal, and nutritional supplements. This company has the most trusted name in the field of natural health as it is concerned about the community and environment and also supports it. This company offers the best natural health care products and also provides services to the customers in order to meet the highest quality standards. They actually work on the customer satisfaction along with their expectations and to fulfill that expectation. This company was also awarded as the Australias Most trusted brand in the field of vitamins which is the supplements for the seventh year running in the year of 2015. Blackmores was established across 80 years ago by the naturopath Maurice Blackmore. This company adopted the naturopathic heritage which affects the Blackmores approaches about the health condition and the prosperity of the wellbeing at a large extent. They actually use their traditional approach and also adopt the current approaches for products like they have the knowledge about the herbal things but they also acquire the knowledge about the nutrition for the making of medicines. They research and innovate new things for their product and adopt those changes only which minimize the adverse affect and support the environment as well as community and have the identification as an employer of choice. This company produced products more than 250 range of vitamins, minerals, herbal and nutritional supplements in their house of experts with the help of ingredients which has the highest quality in the whole world. They produced products according to the requirement of the International Pharmaceutical inspection convention and pharmaceutical inspection co-operation scheme (PIC/s) standards of goods manufacturing practice (GMP). This company offers the wide range of innovative services to the customer which includes naturopathic advisory service which is absolutely free which is used by the 50000 customers or people last year. This company also has the award-winning website which provides the information to the customer or any person according to their health problem and also about the wellbeing resource. They also provide training and education in order to support their retail partners. They believe in social responsibility towards environment, society which includes about the sustainability like the world wildlife fund sustainable fish oils partnership and supports the community and take innovative steps. They also give charities about millions of dollars according to the running festival (Blackmores 2014). The Blackmores group It is the ASX 100 publicly- listed company which has the 1000 employees or even more than that in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. They have many consumers in 17 countries which includes- Bioceuticals It is the leading provider about the therapeutic supplements and the healthcare practitioner nutritional in Australia. They adopt the quality, innovation and integrity as their principles in order to guide their work. It has the most important position in order to ensure the complementary and also they have alternative option for the medicines which becomes the important part of the Australian allied healthcare industry. Pure animal wellbeing (PAW) With above the 80 years of experience for human beings in natural healthcare, Blackmores has now decided to extend itself to the animals health also and get an experienced about animal health and also the passionate about the animal health division. For this experience, they provided the experts like vet nary doctor which develop the natural healthcare products for animals which is clinically proved. Blackmores institute This institute was launched in 2012. This institute provides the education and training to the experts as well as the new comer who are interested in the field of medicines and they have the experts such as Dr Lesley Braun who is the researcher in the field of natural health. This institute focuses on activities like research, review of natural medicines and knowledge about the programs. This institute also provides credit education like in previous year 4000 healthcare professionals and 10000 pharmacy assistant was got educated. Blackmores Asia This company operated in china, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Mongolia and Japan. Fusion health It has joined the Blackmores group in 2016. It provides Chinese herbal medicines and has the Australias leading provider. Bemore The company has the partnership with Bega in order to produce the nutritional foods with high quality child nutrition range. There was a huge growth of the company and has the strong leadership quality that the CEO Christine Holgate was announced as the CEO of the year 2015 and is the beginning of the chair of the Australia-ASEAN Council and the Markus Blackmore who is the son of the founder of company Maurice Blackmore is now the chairman of the board (Blackmores, 2014). Blackmores strategy The company actually accepts only those brands which is trustworthy according to their needs and requirements and which is also acceptable by the customers, health care professionals and by the government and it must be natural health supplement brand. They have their presence or the name among various multiple channels on the top of e-commerce platforms and also have the distribution offline channel like personal care stores, pharmacy, department stores and hypermarkets. They provide best education class and awareness on local website about the natural health education. They also adopt innovative things and changes for the product development. Financial and operational highlights From the previous year, group sales has been increased by 36% and become $471.6 million. Net profit also increased by 83% from the previous year of $46.6 million. New products were launched and there was an extension of 170. It is recognized as most trusted brand in a category and also maintains that image from seventh year. Net debt were decreased by 87% and become $7.1 million. Operating cash flow has become doubled. Increase in net assets per share by 38%to $5.27. Earnings per share also increased by 81.4% and become 270.7cents (Blackmores 2013). Table1 $ in millions Financial year 310 13 340 14 490 15 Figure1 group revenue is $471.6millions which represents the growth of the last years profit. Table2 $ in millions Financial year 26 13 26 14 47 15 Figure2. Group net profit after tax is $46.6 million which shows the growth of 83% of last years profit. There is growth in profitability by 88% of Blackmores Australia. Sales increased by 43% and become $317.4 million. This company maintains their relationship with the retailers and with the customers also and provides them increase in investment by 20%. Blackmores New Zealand acquires growth of the sales about 13% which is effective in New Zealand market. The sales of the Asian market were increased by 26% for the year of $84 million which is doubled from the five years ago. Earnings before interest and tax were also increased up to 82% and become $8.3 million. The Malaysia branch of Blackmores has increased their sale up TO 10% and earnings before tax and interest sere also increased by 22% to 3.3 million. But the Thailand market was affected by soft market and get decline the sales up to 7% and earnings before interest and tax up to 27%, but it has the contribution towards profit at $6.3millions in group earnings, Whereas Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong were increasing their sales an d perform well. Table3 In cents Financial year 125 13 125 14 200 15 Figure3. The final dividend per share is 135cents where as ordinary cent is 203cents per share of the whole year, which means that there is 60% increase in total ordinary dividends of 127 cents per share. Table4 $ in millions Financial year 65 13 57 14 3 15 Figure4. the net debt level was $1.7million which is compared to $54.4million from the previous year. Table5 Cents Financial year 140 13 150 14 270 15 Figure5. increase in earnings per share by 81.5% to 270.7cents. 3 years history $0 2015 2014 2013 sales 471,615 346760 326603 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization 78,655 46055 44692 depreciation and amortization 6391 6266 5989 earnings before interest and tax 72264 39789 38703 net interest expense 3432 4826 4752 profit before tax 68832 34963 33951 income tax expense 22276 9534 8975 profit for the year 46556 25429 24976 net debt 7069 54401 69043 shareholder equity 132915 104226 98051 total assets 293407 236594 231477 current assets 187844 131376 124030 current liabilities 114998 58040 45035 net tangible assets 90809 65185 58860 net operating cash flow 71127 37491 22014 number of shares on issue 17224 17113 16972 earnings per share 270.7 149.2 147.9 ordinary dividend per share 203 127 127 share price at 30 June $75.27 $27.20 $26.94 net tangible assets per share $5.27 $3.81 $3.47 return on shareholders equity 35.00% 24.40% 25.50% return on assets 27.30% 17% 19.10% dividend payout ratio 75.00% 85.10% 85.90% gearing ratio 5.10% 34.30% 41.30% EBIT to sales 15.30% 11.50% 11.90% effective tax rate 32.40% 27.30% 26.40% current assets to current liabilities (times) 1.63 2.25 2.75 net interest cover 21.10 8.2 8.1 gross interest cover 18.80 7.7 7.9 % change of prior year sales 36.00% 6.20% 25.20% EBITDA 70.80% 3.10% -4.70% EBIT 81.60% 2.80% -7.80% Profit for the year 83.10% 1.80% -10.20% EPS 81.40% 0.90% -10.80% ordinary dividend per share 60.00% 0.00% 0.00% Statement of financial position As at 30th June 2015 2015 2014 assets $000 $000 current assets cash and bank balance 36931 18599 inventories 107076 70567 receivables 38665 38742 other assets 5172 3468 total current assets 187844 131376 non-current assets property, plant and equipment 60735 63613 investment property 2160 2160 other intangible assets 18530 18363 goodwill 16863 16863 deferred tax assets 6713 3815 other assets 562 404 total no-current assets 105563 105218 total assets 293407 236594 liabilities current liabilities trade and other payable 94908 49153 current tax liability 12862 2793 provision 6284 5471 other liability 944 623 total current liabilities 114998 58040 non-current liabilities interest bearing liabilities 44000 73000 provision 730 906 deferred tax liability 202 other liability 562 422 total non-current liabilities 45494 74328 total liabilities 160492 132368 net assets 132915 104226 equity capital and reserves issued capital 37753 34502 retained earnings 87099 66497 reserves 8063 3227 total equity 132915 104226 Notes to the financial statements trade and other receivables 2015 2014 current current trade and other receivables 107355 71329 allowance for doubtful debts -169 -688 allowance for claims -927 -800 106259 69841 goods and service tax recoverable 615 723 other receivables 202 3 107076 70567 inventories 2015 2014 ingredients 1806 1458 raw material 10420 17034 finished goods 26439 20250 38665 38742 property, plant equipments 2015 2014 cost 99935 96976 accumulated depreciation -39200 33363 60735 63613 carrying amount of: freehold land 12848 12848 building 31054 31985 leasehold improvements 350 316 plant equipments 15049 17985 motor vehicles 157 116 capital work-in-progress 1277 363 60735 63613 goodwill 2015 2014 cost $0 $0 balance at the beginning of the year 16863 17575 patent recognized during the year -712 balance at the end of the year 16863 16863 goodwill has been allocated as follows pure animal wellbeing 658 658 bioceuticals 16205 16205 16863 16863 intangible assets pure animal wellbeing 1189 1189 bioceuticals 15481 15481 16670 16670 trade and other payables 2015 2014 trade payable 52835 25928 goods and service tax payable 2940 1866 other creditors and accruals 39133 21359 94908 49153 current tax liabilities 2015 2014 $000 $000 income tax payable 12815 2793 withholding tax payable 47 12862 2793 interest bearing liabilities 2015 2014 secured at amortized cost bank bills 44000 44000 Provisions 2015 2014 current employees benefit 6136 5178 directors retire benefit 148 293 6284 5471 non-current employees benefit 730 906 issued capital 17,224,284 fully paid ordinary shares 37753 34502 earnings per share 2015 2014 cents pe cents per r share share basic earnings per share 270.7 149.2 diluted earnings per share 269.1 149.2 Conclusion: The Blackmores company has a good position in the market with a cash conversion rate of 112% and also has a working capital of $46million and operating cash flow $60million as compared to previous year. Net debt result was positive at $23million with net interest cover at 50times as compare to previous year. The company has good impact on the whole Australian market in purchasing raw material and has the $0.5million net benefit on foreign exchange (Blackmores, 2016). References: Blackmores.(2014).About Blackmores .Retrieved on 19 August 2016 from https://www.blackmores.com.au/about-us Blackmore.(2014).About blackmores.Retrieved on 19 august 2016 from https://www.blackmores.com.au/about-us/company-information/about-blackmores Blackmores.ltd.(2013). Presentation to Goldman Sachs Emerging Companies Conference. Retrieved on 19 August 2016 from file:///C:/Users/Guest/Downloads/analystbriefing.pdf Blackmores.(2016).Doing business in china. Retrieved on 19 August 2016 from file:///C:/Users/Guest/Downloads/Shareholder%20Presentation%206%20May%202016.pdf Hovers.inc.(2016).Financials Information for BLACKMORES LIMITED.Retrieved on 19 August 2016 from https://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/revenue- financial.blackmores_limited.90213448103eebc4.html Finance.ltd.(2016).Blackmores the best of health.Retrieved on 19 August 2016 from https://www.finnewsnetwork.com.au/CompanyReports/Blackmores-Limited/0 Blackmores.(2014).investor centre.Retrieved on 19 August 2016 from https://www.blackmores.com.au/about-us/investor-centre Blackmores.(2014).ASX announcements.Retrieved on 19 august 2016 from https://www.blackmores.com.au/about-us/investor-centre/asx-announcements Blackmores.(2014).Governance board of directors.Retrieved on 19 august 2016 from https://www.blackmores.com.au/about-us/investor-centre/corporate-governance Blackmores.(2013).Improved second quarter result for Blackmores.Retrieved on 19 august 2016 from file:///C:/Users/Guest/Downloads/ShareholderLetterHalfYearResultsDec2013%20(1).pdf Morningstar.inc.(2016).Blackmores ltd BKL.Retrieved on 19 august 2016 from https://financials.morningstar.com/income-statement/is.html?t=BKLregion=aus Blackmores.(2013).welcome to the 50th annual general meeting of Blackmores limited.Retrieved on 19 august 2016 from file:///C:/Users/Guest/Downloads/AGM%20Presentation%20ASX%20FINAL.pdf

Ethics and Nanotechnology

What led to the eventual woes experienced by Hong Essays

What led to the eventual woes experienced by Hong Essays What led to the eventual woes experienced by Hong Kong Disneyland in its first year of operation? How should Hong Kong Disneyland rectify its market situation? Cultural Adaptation: The Chinese people were unfamiliar with the products of Disneyland, so they did not easily connect with the characters in the park; The Chinese enjoy focusing on what they can buy, eat, bring home, taking pictures and bringing them back home rather than the experience of being in the place itself. Chinese Tourist Behavior: they will choose the cheaper one, which is Ocean Park since they think going to Hong Kong means a shopping experience; Also, Chinese tourists put a premium on education, where Ocean Park provides the educational slant. Relationship with Travel Agents: Hong Kong Disneyland failed and did not heed too much attention to building a relationship with the travel agents while Chinese tourists depend a lot on travel agents. To determining differences in Chinese culture and adopting it; more understanding for Chinese tourist behavior; handling the pressures of local demand in terms of the need of Chinese shoppers and tourists; and try to pay more attention to building a relationship with the travel agents are the way that Hong Kong Disneyland should rectify.

Blog Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Blog - Essay Example In every fragment of the technology zone, leaders are beleaguered to concentrate on enhancing the processes that transport IT services to their industries, conglomerates and consumers. Reducing costs, giving speedier services, and increasing the value of a company or organization are all prerequisites in the world of Information Technology nowadays. The world is revolving so fast and the innovative advancements are comparable to an avalanche of new ideas and revolutionary approaches. A fluctuating and shifting demand is expected to take place. If these demands are left unaddressed, it can bring massive disasters toward a certain company. Seen this way, a necessity to align our IT services with the growing and varying tastes and trends of the consumers is imperative in maintaining the value of an organization. According to the Bloomberg BusinessWeek (2010), in a survey conducted in about 150 IT subdivisions at middle-sized companies, â€Å"IT Leadership Exchange found that 90 per cent of CIOs expect that the IT department will be misaligned with business needs in an economic recovery†¦this will threaten the business’s long-term competitiveness†. The job of bringing IT services and business precedence into line is more than scientific in context. Nevertheless, by way of continuing dialogue with the IT officials and by aligning our business objectives, the IT Leadership Exchange "finds that an IT department can boost its effectiveness to the company by 54 per cent" (Bloomberg, 2010). We see the importance of aligning our IT service and its management with the current inclinations of the consumers as part of the business goals of the company. But how do continual improvement on IT services and its management contribute in bettering the operational and process effectiveness? Also, how does it aid an organization to achieve cost effectiveness? In dealing with these critical points, there are manifold factors to consider: the IT

The Giver Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Giver - Essay Example When there is no creativity , when there is no love and even joy seems programmed, these might as well be ants in a ant hill. Even ants are ordered, systematic and conforming. But what makes human beings different from other animals is that we are individuals and it is our innate tendency to be our own self , not a clone of anybody else. A community like Jonas’s would be suffocating to most people who have seen or known what it is like to be human. Are there communities like the one in the book in the modern day world? Indeed there are. China, North Korea, Iran all of have such societies to a varying degree. But just like in the book , the only way these societies are able to keep a grip on people is by restricting their freedom and keeping control over the information which is available to these people. Indeed there was and is little crime in such communities and nobody ever starves. But that is true even for a prison , but human beings are not meant to be caged. The free societies have their problems. Crime, populism perhaps even decline in morals. But however imperfect and chaotic that might be, those are the systems in which Human beings thrive and prosper. Since the fall of the Soviet Union , there has been a return , at least in a little way to the old iron rule in Russia. This , many say is evidence that people want stability and protection. People do want stability and protection . This is true , even in the bastions of freedom in U.S and other democracies. But this stability and protection is not wanted at the cost of freedom. You just have to see what happens when conformity is forced on people who have already enjoyed freedom and individuality , like Prohibition in the U.S. or Emergency in India. It is simply not possible. There is an old saying which states that those who don’t know history are condemned to repeat it. Pain and suffering while uncomfortable and horrifying are extremely important. They tell us what consequences

Data collection and procedure Essay Example for Free

Data collection and procedure Essay You need to talk about the geographic location and the population of these schools. If you can send me the info, I will write it in. To examine academic achievement, student scores on the social studies portion of the GHSGT will be examined. To examine discipline and attendance, the teachers, administrators and some students will be randomly selected. To examine the difference between block and traditional scheduling, surveys and interview questionnaires will be administered to a randomly selected sample of students fitting the above criteria. Questions will be designed to illicit responses as to the advantages of block schedule and will be based upon the broad questions that follow: Research Question #1 – Has the implementation of block scheduling caused an increase in test scores of students in their final year of high school? Research Question #2 – Has the implementation of block scheduling reduced the number of student absences? Research Questions #3 – Has the implementation of block scheduling reduced the number of discipline issues (detentions, suspensions and expulsions) of the students? The surveys and questionnaires will be delivered to the two schools administered in the method that the principal allows. The administrator or his designee will collect the surveys and questionnaires after completion. Each participant of this study will be informed prior to his participation that he is doing so voluntarily. Each participant will have the opportunity to review and sign an informed consent form prior to participating in the study. Some participants may choose to not be involved in this study. To encourage honesty in the responses, the confidentiality of each participant will be guaranteed. A portion of the informed consent statement attests to this confidentiality. No names, only codes will be used on the survey’s themselves with the code’s keys kept in a secure location. Data Analysis and Interpretation Plan All surveys will be compiles into percentages. These percentages will be analyzed for trends among schools with and without block schedules. Data will be charted and graphed where appropriate. Correlations will be drawn based on findings. A discussion and analysis of each subcomponent will be presented. Implications One of the biggest implications in undertaking this type of scheduling change is cost. The block schedule requires additional teachers (usually four or five) for the same number of students. These teachers also need a place to teach, which either requires the building of additional space, the addition of modular classrooms, or the need for teachers to share classrooms (Dobbs, W. , 1997). Another major implication for teachers is the need for changing teaching methods. Extended blocks allow teachers to experiment with new and creative strategies that will appeal to a variety of learning styles. They are able to incorporate more technology and remediation or enrichment exercises as needed. Unfortunately, despite these opportunities, many teachers are hesitant, even fearful, of the block scheduling concept. Researchers Hackmann and Schmitt (1997) warn that: These large blocks may be viewed with a great deal of apprehension by veteran teachers. A typical reaction may be What am I going to do for that many minutes? Even though a new scheduling configuration may have unanimous faculty support as the thing to do, teachers still must confront the daily reality of preparing creative, enriching lessons that keep students engaged academically. It seems a large part of the success for block scheduling lies in the hands of the school districts for providing adequate funding and in the administration and teachers for lending it their willingness and support (Dobbs, W. , 1998). The following is a suggested list of criteria that change agents might want to consider: Utilization of effective research and practice. Inclusion of appropriate assessment plan and tools. Collaboration within the school community of administration, staff, and peers as appropriate. Compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulatory agency rules, board policies and regulations, and negotiated employee agreements. Assurance of a reasonable level of awareness and support within the school district community, including the Board of Education and others with an interest in the decision. Analysis of fiscal impact. (The Change Process and Alternative Scheduling, 1996). Finally, the utilization of block scheduling may be a determining factor in the legislated school choice options of parents in Georgia. The A+ Education Reform Act was passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Barnes in 2000. Its purpose was to significantly alter the management of education in Georgia. School performance, student achievement, and the efficient utilization of resources were its chief concerns and stakeholders at all levels were involved in this process and accountable for its results. Parents may request student transfers for achievement or overcrowding reasons (HB1187, 2000). Scheduling decisions may certainly affect the rights of parents to exercise this choice. Summary In order to become completely informed as to the effects of block scheduling on academic performance, more studies will have to be conducted. Walker, (2000), recommends the following areas of study be conducted: Longitudinal studies of climate issues over extended periods of time are needed.   Studies of student behavior over extended periods of time in multiple schools are recommended Studies of individual subject areas should be expanded. More study is necessary concerning the effectiveness of two-day versus four or five-day block-schedules †¢ Studies should be conducted to determine the effects of block scheduling on teaching behavior. †¢ Finally, the area of greatest need is the study of individual student’s achievement over extended periods of time. Rarely does a problem as large as education have one simple solution. Oftentimes, solutions emerge over time and in conjunction with many other variables. Such is the case with block scheduling. In its short tenure, few studies are conclusive with regard to its test scores. However, with the examination of different variables, some insight into the situation may be helpful. Education is constantly evolving; one thing is for certain – everyone must be willing to change with it for the good of each generation of students. CHAPTER FOUR REFERENCES Aratani, L. (2006, July 13). Upper Grades, Lower Reading Skills: Middle, High Schools Find They Must Expand Programs for Older Students. The Washington Post, p. B01 Canady, R. L. , and Rettig, M. D. (1995). Block Scheduling: A Catalyst for Change in High Schools Princeton, N. J. : Eye on Education, Inc. Canady, R. L. , and Rettig, M. D. (2003, October). Block schedulings missteps, successes and variables: a study finds steady progress in the use of alternatives to the traditional schedule. School Administrator. Retrieved 23 July 2006 from: http://www. findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m0JSD/is_9_60/ai_108837464/print Carroll, J. M. (1995). The Copernican Plan evaluated: The Evolution of a Revolution. Phi Delta. Kappa 76, pp. 104-110, 112-113. The Change Process and Alternative Scheduling. (1996). Educational Issues Series. Wisconsin Education Association Council. Retrieved 22 July 2006 from: http://www. weac. org/ resource/june96/schedule. htm Dobbs, M. (2004, December 7). In a Global Test of Math Skills, U. S. Students Behind the Curve. The Washington Post, p. A01 Dobbs, W. (1998). The Block Schedule. Intel Innovation in Education. Retrieved 20 July 2006 from: http://www. intel. com/education/projects/wildride/supporting/BlkSched. htm Domaleski, C. (2004, Fall). An Examination of Block Scheduling Practices and End of Coursec Achievement. Journal of Instructional Psychology. Retrieved 20 July 2006 from: http://www. findarticles. com/p/ articles/mi_m0FCG/is_3_27/ai_66355137/pg_3 Leckrone, M. Griffith, B. (2006). Retention realities and educational standards. Children and Schools 28 (1), 55-58. Lewis, C. W. , Dugan, J. J. , Winokur, M. A. , and Cobb, R. B. (2005, December). The Effects of Block Scheduling on High School Academic Achievement. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Bulletin 89 (645) Magdol, L. (1992). Factors for Adolescent Academic Achievement. Youth Futures Project. University of Wisconsin-Madison, July National Commission on Excellence in Education. 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