In recent decades, accounting has unfortunately become synonymous with scandal in the world of big business. While the vast majority of companies use legal and ethical accounting practices, many of those involved in scandals are or were major players with household names. This cast an unfortunate shadow over a very important and legitimate profession. What causes accounting scandals? Greed is a factor, though…
Over five million students in American public schools are English language learners (ELL), students who are studying to become fluent English speakers. While Spanish is by far the most commonly spoken language by K-12 students with limited English proficiency, other common languages include Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, and Hmong. In total, over 400 different languages are spoken by ELLs…
The term liberal arts has long been connected with education. In colleges, there are liberal arts programs starting at the associate degree level and continuing all the way up to the graduate level. “Liberal” has many connotations, but what are liberal arts? How did they get their name, and why are they considered important in education? First, let’s look at the origins of…
If you’re working in the public or the nonprofit sector, you may be ready to move up in your career and become a leader in your field. If you aspire to work in one of those sectors, you may be looking for a way to boost your relevant qualifications. Either way, new credentials can lead to new opportunities. Some government agencies and organizations require a graduate-level degree for advancement. A degree such as a Master of…
The United States is in desperate need of qualified teachers—so much so that schools have started hiring teachers from half a world away. School districts are searching for fully certified professionals, preferably those who are certified to teach two subjects, but what’s the purpose of dual certification if schools are going to such extremes to hire…
It may be considered a soft skill by many, but being able to get along with others is perhaps the most important trait any person can have, regardless of their profession or other factors. The ability to understand others is key to interacting in positive, constructive ways in any social setting. Psychology is a word often used to describe the way people think and the motivations behind their…
What are ethics? Merriam-Webster offers these definitions: “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation” and “a set of moral principles.” In the world of high finance, ethics has its own distinct definition that’s connected with the appropriate use of money, whether it’s one’s own money or someone else’s. Corporate finance, according to Investopedia.com, refers to “how corporations deal with funding…
When our ancient ancestors began painting horses and mammoths on cave walls, they couldn’t have fathomed that by communicating through symbols, they were helping mankind take its first steps towards literacy. From clay tablets to computer tablets, literacy has come a long way and is now a critical predictor of success in school and life…
Often called the “highest court in the land,” the U.S. Supreme Court serves as the last stop for many cases that make their way through the U.S. justice system. However, the Supreme Court only hears cases it prefers, and it prefers only a selected few. In fact, the Supreme Court receives approximately 10,000 petitions each year but only hears 70-80 cases a year. In some instances, the court declines to take a case, sending it back…
A customer gets sick or injured using your product or service. A company official makes an embarrassing public remark. Incidents such as these can cast an entire organization in a negative light. In these cases, it’s important that an organization respond quickly and correctly, as failing to do so can lead to lasting financial and legal problems. Response is where crisis communication comes in. In short, this means getting your side of the story out to the public, acknowledging mistakes were…