The Educational Journey Essay -- Learning Schooling Teaching Papers

The Educational Journey Education is a journey through the universe. The universe is enormous and seems to have no end. If a person wants to be truly educated, he or she must spend years in school studying both important and trivial information. The material in the solar system represents the years a student spends in school. The remaining space in the universe is the endless learning one does outside of the classroom. The sun may not be in the center of the universe; however, the sun is the central core of the educational journey. The sun is where the educational journey begins. The elementary school years, kindergarten through fifth grade, are important years for the student. The elementary school grades are the years where a student should get a grasp on the basics in education, the focus being on math and developing literacy. Students are learning how to read write the alphabet, and how to connect sentences to form paragraphs. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are also being learned by the student during these years. Little time is usually spent on science and history. Recently schools have spent so much emphasis is placed on math and reading because of the California state mandated test the Stanford 9. Other states are in the same position with their own state-mandated tests. Students miss out on other important subjects in the curriculum. Teaching the subjects in the curriculum to a coeducational class may be difficult because boys and girls learn differently. Dave Thomas, who wrote an article, called "The Mind Of Man" argues that boys and girls learn differently point vehemently. He believes girls often have a difficult time in the classroom because the boys do all the talking (121). From person... ...ey. While the experiences may not always be enjoyable, the final outcome usually is. Everyone learns in a different manner, the direct path through the solar system does not work for everyone. People drop out of school everyday, but that does not by any means mean their life is over. As long as a person has goals in life, and they achieve those goals, he or she can be successful. Works Cited Rose, Mike. "Lives on the Boundary." The Presence of Others. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford And John J. Ruszkiewicz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 105-119. Spayde, John. "Learning in the Key of Life." The Presence of Others. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 58-64. Thomas, David. "The Mind of Man." The Presence of Others. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 120-125. 7

Dividend Growth Model Essay

1. Dividend Growth ModelThe basic assumption in the Dividend Growth Model is that the dividend is expected to grow at a constant rate. That this growth rate will not change for the duration of the evaluated period. As a result, this may skew the resultant for companies that are experiencing rapid growth. The Dividend Growth Model is better suited for those stable companies that fit the model. Those that are growing quickly or that don’t pay dividends do not fit the assumption parameters, and thus this model cannot be used. In this model, a company may not exceed the market growth rate. In addition, since the dividend growth rate is expected to remain constant indefinitely, the other measures of performance within the company are also expected to maintain the same growth rate. If in the current state, the dividend rate is greater that earnings, in time this model will show a dividend payout greater than the earnings of the company. Conversely, if earnings are growing faster than dividends, the payout rate will converge towards zero. In summary, the Dividend Growth Model works well for those companies growing at a rate equal to or lower than that of the economy and have an established and stable dividend payout. In order to estimate the cost of equity using the Dividend Growth Model, we simply adjust the model’s equation for estimating the price of a stock, given as such:P = D1 / (r – g)Where P = the price of the stockD1 = the expected Dividend in one yearr = the required rate of returng = the expected Growth ConstantBy solving the equation for k we get the following:P(r – g) = D1r – g = D1 / Pr = (D1 / P) + gTherefore in order to estimate the cost of equity through the Dividend Growth Model, we simply add the constant growth rate and the projected dividend yield in one year. 2. Capital Asset Pricing ModelThe assumptions used in the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) are similar in that they assume an almost â€Å"perfect world† scenario. Initially, CAPM assumes that all investors have the same rational expectations of returns, and that these returns are in line with the best prediction for future returns as based on the available information. It also makes the assumption that the dividends are paid normally, that assets are fixed, and that the market is efficient and in equilibrium with no inflation or change in the interest rate. CAPM additionally makes the important assumption that the evaluated stock is properly priced and that the risk level has been properly assessed. Another major assumption is that there are no taxes, transaction fees, or arbitrage opportunities during the evaluation period. This is a huge assumption which is generally incorrect. Almost all transactions within the market have some sort of tax or fee associated with it. Within CAPM, the required rate of return is found in the following equation:r = rf + B (rm – rf)Where r = the required rate of returnrf = the risk free rateB = the stock’s Beta valuerm = The Market returnIn essence CAPM evaluates a stock based on its risk and potential return compared to a risk-free market portfolio. 3. CAPM and the Modern Portfolio TheoryModern Portfolio Theory is an attempt to balance the risks and rewards of investment portfolios through the use of diversification to lower the risk of the entire portfolio while maintaining high returns. The use of Beta is a key concept in Modern Portfolio Theory. It uses CAPM as its basis to select investments within a portfolio; seeking to mix stocks with both positive and negative Betas to construct a portfolio with a minimal Beta for the group of stocks as a whole. Theoretically, the returns from stocks with both positive and negative betas do not cancel each other out, but rather the portfolio is constructed that the returns are independent of the other stocks held, yet complimentary in accumulation of returns. 4. Estimation of Untraded Stocks. The general standard for estimating the cost of equity of a non-traded  company is through the Market Approach. The basis of this approach is that the stocks of publicly traded companies, engaged in the same of comparable business, are a valid indicator of performance for a non-traded company. Under the Market Approach, there are two commonly used valuation methods; the Guideline Public Company method, and the Merger and Acquisition Method. The Guideline Public Company method consists of finding a comparable company and applying that companies financial data to the non-traded company. A company chosen to provide a reasonable basis for comparison should ideally be in the same industry as the non-traded company. However, if there are no companies with sufficient data available, as company in a similar industry may be selected. A similar industry should be one that had identical investment characteristics such as markets, growth, and product lines. The difficulty in using this method lies in identifying a public company that is sufficiently comparable. According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement onStandards for Valuation Services, the following should be considered when using guideline companies:†A. Price information of the guideline company must be related to the appropriate underlying financial data of the company evaluatedB. The valuation ratios for the guideline company and the comparative analysis of qualitative and quantitative factors should be used together to determine appropriate valuation ratios to be applied to the subject company. C. Several valuation ratios may be selected for application to the subject company, and several value indications may be obtained. The appraiser should consider the relative importance accorded to each of the value indications used in arriving at the opinion or conclusion of value. D. To the extent that adjustments for dissimilarities with respect to minority and control, or marketability, have not been made earlier, appropriate adjustments for these factors must be made, if applicable.†The key to obtaining the most accurate results when using the Guideline Company  Method is to use the most comparable company as the guideline company. The closer to the evaluated company in all areas, the more accurate the result. The merger and acquisition method evaluates a company based on actual merger and acquisition transactions that involve entire companies or controlling interests in companies. This method may include companies that were either public or private prior to the control transaction. When using this method, all of the underlying information relating to a particular merger or acquisition may not be known. The motives of the buyer or seller may cause the transaction amounts to be skewed; this will be transparent to the evaluator and can cause an inaccurate evaluation. By using either of the Market Approach methods, it is still a â€Å"best guess† based on the best available information. The more accurate and comparable the comparison study is, the better the resulting evaluation. REFERENCES 1. Booth, Laurence. Time to Pass the Old Maid? http://www.investmentreview.com/archives/1999/spring/oldmaid.html2. Damodaran, Aswath. Dividend Discount Models. New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Businesshttp://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/pdfiles/valn2ed/ch13.pdf3. Citizendium.org. Cost of equity. http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Cost_of_equity4. Ivkovic, Inya. CAPM – Where Market Theories Converge and Clash. suite101.com. Sep 29, 2007http://investment.suite101.com/article.cfm/capm_assumptions_and_limitations5. Investopedia.com. Financial Concepts: Capital Asset Pricing Model. August 2007http://www.investopedia.com/university/concepts/concepts8.asp6. Wallener, Damir. What is Modern Portfolio Theory?http://www.investopedia.com/university/concepts/concepts8.asp7. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Statement on Standards for Valuation Services. http://bvfls.aicpa.org/NR/rdonlyres/672E1DD4-2304-47CA-8F34-8C5AA64CB008/0/SSVS_Full_Version.pdf8. Wise, Richard M. Caveats in Using Guideline Company Transactional Data in Valuing a Business. Quarterly Journal of the Business Valuation Committee of the American Society of Appraisers. Vol. 22, No. 1, March 2003http://www.wbbusval.com/english/pdf/BVR4-Caveats-Guideline-Cos-March03.pdf9. Pratt, Shannon P. Business Valuation Body of Knowledge Workbook, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-0-471-27066-9. Paperback. 192 pages. January 2003

Fast Food Is An Online Kitchen - 1087 Words

1 Executive Summary Beyond Fast Food is an online kitchen that allows customers to make their own ingredients choices and cooking style online that is submitted to a physical location for preparation and fast pickup. It allows busy families to make healthy, fresh, customizable, and affordable meal choices right on the go for their families and reduce their overdependence on Fast-food commonly known as junk food. Our foundation is based on providing fast but healthy meals for busy families. Healthy eating has become a serious concern in the U.S. People are busy trying to juggle life, work and family, while attempting to make convenient, affordable, and healthy meal choices. To overcome the challenges busy families face, Beyond Fast Food†¦show more content†¦People can even schedule a week long family meal plan giving them more peace of mind. Our targeted first location: Our first location will be in Flagstaff, Arizona, with plan to expand nationally as we grow. Our decision to locate in Flagstaff, Arizona is based upon the favorable business environment for the restaurant industry in that location. From a report made by flagstaff.com, people and restaurant owner in Flagstaff have become more conscious about healthy eating and tend to favor fresh local ingredients. Target Customers: We will target busy working individuals and families, health conscious people, and elderly, with moderate to high income. We are unique: Presently, we are the only restaurant offering this unique combination of, healthy, technology-driven, and customizable, to consumers no matter what their concern for healthy and fresh food is. On top of that, our meals are affordable, ranging in the $5-$10 range. The price is simply unbeatable for the quality of our food and the convenience of our service. There is only about $2 difference from what the regular fast food restaurants are charging and this price difference can be justified by our healthier customizable food items along with our faster service. Growth potential: Despite Fast Food, being unhealthy, the Fast food industry has the largest market share in the restaurant industry. The eating out industry is expected to grow to $782.7 billion in 2016, from $586.6 in 2010. Our business concept