Breaking DES (Data Encryption Systems)

Data Encryption Standard (DES) is an algorithm for decrypting and encrypting unstipulated information in the United States administration standard. DES is derived from IBM’s Lucifer code and is depicted by the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 46, with its current modification being FIDS 46-3 (Conrad, 2007). DES is a mass code that takes a plaintext sequence as a key in and generates a code transcript wording of the same measurement lengthwise.The mass of the DES obstruct is 64 bits which is also the same for the input dimension even though the 8 bits of the key are for the recognition of faults making the efficient DES input amount 56 bits. Because of the progressions in the authority of dispensation in workstations there are weaknesses in the 56-bit key extent presently (Conrad, 2007). In the company of proper hardware, there is a best chance assault on methodical efforts to all the 72 quadrillion hence, there is a possibility of dissimilar inputs.Advanced Encr yption Standard (AES) developed into an innovative FIPS-standard encryption average in 2001, 26th November to replace DES. Statistics Encryption Algorithm explains the definite algorithm as contested to the average. In such circumstances, TDEA is a short form for Triple DES. At the same time, there is a description of Triple Data Encryption Algorithm Modes of Operation ANSI X9. 52-1998 (Clayton & Bond, 2002). History of DES DES was proposed in 1975 and approved in 1977 as a federal information processing standard. It was criticized by the people who felt that it’s 56 key lengths to be insecure.In spite of this, DES remained a strong encryption algorithm until mid 1990. In the year 1998 summer, the insecurity of DES was demonstrated when a $ 250,000 computer which was built by the electronic frontier foundation decrypted a DES-encoded message in 56 hours. This was improved in the 1999 to 2002 hours through a combination of 100,000 networked personal computers and the EFF machi ne. DES remains a de facto standard unless a substitute is found (Landau, 2000, p. 341). A certified DES is obtained from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).This Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) works in three key lengths: 128, 192, and 256 bits. The publication of DES indicated a new era in cryptography. The development in the community of public cryptographers was enhanced by having an algorithm availability of study that the national security agent certified to be secure (Landau, 2000, p. 341). The (DES) Data Encryption Standard A system that encrypts quickly but is essentially what is impossible to break is all what cryptographers have always wanted. Public key systems have captured the imagination of mathematicians because of their reliance on elementary number theory.Public key algorithms are used for establishing a key because they are too slow to be used for most data transmissions. Private key system does the encryption because they are typically fa ster than public key ones (Landau, 2000, p. 341). The data Encryption Standard (DES) workhorse uses private key algorithm besides relying on cryptographic design principles that predate public key. The RC4 in web browsers and the relatively insecure cable TV signal encryption are an exception to DES. DES is the most widely used public cryptosystem in the world. It is the cryptographic algorithm which is used by banks for electronic funds transfer.It is also used for the protection of civilian satellite communications. Still, a variant of DES is used for UNIX password protection. There are three operation of the DES which involves XOR, substitution and permutation. The DES is an interrelated block cipher and a cryptosystem on a block of symbols that sequentially repeats an internal function which is called a round. It encrypts data by the use of a primitive that operates on a block of symptoms of moderate size. Self invert ability is also essential to enable one of the objects to enc rypt and decrypt. When encrypting ordinary text, DES begins by grouping the text into 64 bit block.A number of operations are performed by the DES on each block (Landau, 2000, p. 343). The transformation of how the block is to be carried out is determined by a single key of 56 bits. DES iterates sixteen identical rounds of mixing; each round of DES uses a 48-bit sub key. The DES begins with an initial permutation P and ends with its inverse. The permutations are of minor cryptographic implications but forms part of the official algorithm. The selection of sub keys starts by splitting the 56-bit key into two 28-bit halves and rotating each half one or two bits; either one bit in rounds 1, 2, 9, and 16 or two bits otherwise.The two halves are put back together and then 48 particular bits are chosen and put in order (Landau, 2000, p. 343). Attacks of DES The selection of DES was followed by protests in which case some of the researchers appeared to object to the algorithm small key spa ce. Investors in the key public cryptography claimed that a DES encoded message could be broken in about a day by a $ 20 million machine made up of a million specially designed VLSI capable of searching one key per microsecond while working in parallel.The use of a meet in the middle attack to break a four round version of DES did not extend past seven rounds (Landau, 2000, p. 345). This is evidence that, for all these attacks none of them posed a serious threat to the DES. Other attacks on the DES were performed to poke harder to the innards of DES. This brought anomalies which led to the first attacks that were seen to be more theoretically better than exhaustive search. The attacks were against the block structure system and the need of all block-structured cryptosystems needed to be designed to be secure against differential and linear cryptanalysis.There is a strong attack to DES which is differential cryptanalysis. This is apparently known to the algorithms designers. In order to design a secure cryptosystems, there is a need for a mixture of well known principles, some theorems and the presence of some magic. Attacks on a cryptosystem fall into two categories which are passive attacks and active attacks. The passive attacks are the ones which adversely monitors the communication channel. They are usually easier to mount although they yield less. The active attacks have the adversary transmitting messages to obtain information (Landau, 2000, p.342). The aim of the attackers is to determine the plaintext from the cipher text which they capture. A more successful attack will determine the key and thus compromise a whole set of messages. By designing their algorithms, cryptographer’s help to resist attacks such as cipher text only attack whose adversary has access to the encrypted communications. The known plain text attack which has its adversary has some plain text and its corresponding cipher text. The third attack which can be avoided is the chos en text attack and its adversary chooses the plain text for encryption or decryption.The plain text chosen by the adversary depends on the cipher text received from the previous requests (Landau, 2000, p. 342). Observations about DES The simplicity found in the DES amounts to some fully desirable properties. To start with it is the complementation. To illustrate, allow X to denote the bitwise complement of X. If C is the DES encryption of the plaintext P with key K, then P is the DES encryption of P with key K. In some cases the complementation can simplify DES cryptanalysis by basically cutting the investigating space in half.These properties do not cause serious weakness in the algorithm. The set generated by the DES permutations do not form a group. The group may have at least 102499 elements. There is strength in the DES when it lacks a group structure. It appears to be double encryption where this is twice by two different keys, EK2 (EK1 (P) and is not stronger than single encr yption. The reason is that when meeting in the middle attacks for a given plaintext cipher text pair, an adversary will compute all 256 possible enciphering of the plaintext i. e.EKi (P), and indexes the same. The adversary will then compute all possible deciphering of the cipher text (Landau, 2000, p. 345). Models of DES There are four forms of DES, which are accepted by FIPS 81. They include (ECB) Electronic Codebook form, code mass sequence form (CFB), productivity reaction form (OFB) and system response (CFB). The forms are used to with both DES and Triple DES. Within each form, there are main dissimilarities which are based on the fault proliferation and obstruct vs. tributary codes (Conrad, 2007). Electronic Codebook (ECB) ModeIn this form of encryption, there is sovereign encryption into respective blocks of codes text. It is done by means of Feistel code which generates 16 sub-inputs derived from the symmetric input and also encrypts the plaintext using 16 surroundings of co nversion. Similarly, the development is used in the conversion of code text reverse into simple text with the dissimilarity that, 16 sub inputs are contributed in overturn arrangement. The result of repeated blocks of identical plaintext is the repeated blocks of cipher text which is capable of assisting in the vault investigation of the code wording.In Appendix 1 there is an illustration of the result (Conrad, 2007). The first picture of SANS symbol is the bitmap layout. The second picture is the encrypted logo of SANS bitmap via DES ECB form. The visibility of the model is due to the recurring of masses of the simple wording pixels in the bitmap which are encrypted into masses which are repeated and are of particular code pixels. In this form, faults do not proliferate due to the autonomous encryption of each obstruct. Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) ModeThe CBC form is an obstruct code which XORs every original obstruct of simple wording with the previous block of code wording. This indicates that repeated obstructs of simple wording do not give rise to repeated obstructs of code wording. CBC uses a vector of initialization which is an arbitrary original obstructs used to make sure that two simple wordings result in different code wordings. In figure 2 of the Appendix there is a clear illustration of the same SANS symbol bitmap data, encrypted with DES CBC form. There is no visibility of any prototype which is true for all DES forms apart from ECB.Therefore, in this mode, there is proliferation of faults as each prior step’s encrypted output is XORed with the original obstructing of simple wording (Conrad, 2007). Cipher Feedback (CFB) Mode The Cipher Feedback Mode is a tributary code that encrypts simple wording by breaking into X (1-64) bits. This permits encryption of the level of byte or bits. This mode uses an arbitrary vector of initialization. The preceding elements of code wording are XORed with consequent components of code wording. Therefore, in this mode of CBC there is proliferation of faults (Conrad, 2007).Output Feedback (OFB) Mode Similar to CFB form, the productivity reaction form makes use of the vector of random initialization and also encrypts simple wording by shattering downward into a tributary by encrypting components of X (1-64) bits of simple wording. This form fluctuates from CFB form by generating a simulated-arbitrary tributary of productivity which is XORed with the plaintext during every step. Therefore, the productivity is fed back to the simple wording and because the output is XORed to the simple wording, faults there is no proliferation of mistakes (Conrad, 2007).Counter (CTR) Mode The oppose form is a tributary code similar to OFB form. The main disparity is the accumulation of contradict obstructs. The offset can be supplementary to an arbitrary importance that is used only once and then increased for each component of simple wording that is encrypted. The initial counter obstructs acts as a vecto r of initialization. Therefore, in each surrounding there is XORing of the offset obstructs with simple wording. Accumulation of offset obstructs permits disintegration of encryption into equivalent phases, improving presentation on a suitable hardware.There is no proliferation of mistakes (Clayton & Bond, 2002). (Table 1 in the Appendix summarizes the Data Encryption Standard). Triple DES (T DES) In anticipation of 2030, TDES can be used as FIPS encryption algorithm which is permitted in order to allow conversion to AES. There are three surroundings of DES which are used by TDES which have an input extent of 168 bits (56 * 3). There is a possibility of reduced effective key length of TDES to roughly 12 bits though beast might assaults against TDES re not realistic at present (Conrad, 2007).Architecture for Cryptanalysis All modern day practical ciphers both symmetrical and asymmetrical make use of security apparatus depending on their key length. In so doing, they provide a margin of security to cover from computational attacks with present computers. Depending on the level of security which is chosen for any software application, many ciphers are prone to attacks which unique machines having for instance a cost-performance ratio (Guneysu, 2006).Reconfigurable computing has been recognized as way of reducing costs while also acting as an alternative to a variety of applications which need the power of a custom hardware and the flexibility of software based design such as the case of rapid prototyping (Diffie & Hellman, 1977, pp. 74-84). What this means is that cryptanalysis of today’s cryptographic algorithms need a lot of computation efforts. Such applications map by nature to hardware based design, which require repetitive mapping of the main block, and is easy to extend by putting in place additional chips as is needed.However, it should be noted that the mere presence of resources for computation is not the main problem. The main problem is availab ility of affordable massive computational resources. The non-recurring engineering costs have enabled hardware meant for special purpose cryptanalysis in virtually all practicable situations unreachable. This has been unreachable to either commercial or research institutions, which has only been taken by government agencies as feasible (Diffie & Hellman, 1977, pp. 74-84).The other alternative to distributed computing with loosely coupled processors finds its base on the idle circles of the large number of computers connected through the internet. This method has considerably been successful for some applications. However, the verified detection of extraterrestrial life is considerably still a problem more so for unviable problems with power of computing in a particular organization (Guneysu, 2006). In cryptanalysis some algorithms are very suitable for special-purpose hardware.One main example for this is the search for the data encryption standard (DES) (FIPS, 1977). What this mean s is that a brute- force attack is more than twice the magnitude faster when put in place on FPGA’s as opposed to in software on computers meant for general purposes at relatively the same costs (FIPS, 1977). That notwithstanding, for many crypto algorithms the advantages due to cost-performance of hardware meant for special purposes over those meant for ordinary purposes is not really as dramatic as is usually the case of DES, more so for public-key algorithms (Guneysu, 2006).Arising from the advent of low-cost FPGA families with much logic approaches recently, field programmable gate arrays offer a very interesting way for the thorough computational effort which cryptanalysis needs (Lesnsta & Verheul, 2001, pp. 255-293). Many algorithms dealing with the most important problems in cryptanalysis is capable of being put in place on FPGAs. Code breaking though, requires more additional efforts as opposed to just programming a single FPGA with a certain algorithm (Electronic Fro ntier Foundation, 1998).Owing to the enormous perspectives of cryptanalysis problems, many more resources as opposed to FPGA are needed. This implies that the main need is massively powerful parallel machinery suited to the requirements of targeted algorithms. Many problems are capable of being put in parallel and are perfectly suited for an architecture distributed. Conventional parallel architectures for computing can theoretically be used for applications of cryptanalysis (Guneysu, 2006). An optical Architecture to Break Ciphers The targeted DES brute force attack has several characteristics.To begin with, expensive computational operations which are put in parallel. Next, there is no need of communication between single parallel instances. The next characteristic is the fact that the general expense for communication is not high owing to the fact that the stage of computation strongly outweighs the data input and output stages. According to Blaze et al, (1996), communication is almost entirely used for results reporting as well as initialization. A central control instance with regards to communication is capable of being accomplished by a conventional low cost personal computer, connected simply by an interface.This would imply that there is no need for a high-speed communication interface. The fourth characteristic is the fact that a DES brute-force attack and its following implementation require little memory. The final consequence of the above is the fact that the available memory on present day low cost FPGAs is sufficient (Guneysu, 2006). What this implies is that by making use of low-cost FPGAs, it is possible to develop a cost effective dynamic architecture which is capable of being reprogrammed which would be able to accommodate all the targeted architectures (Blaze et al, 1996).Realization of COPACOBANA Drawing back, the Cost-Optimized Parallel Code Breaker (COPACOBANA) meeting the needs available comprise of several independent-low prized FPGAs, connected to a hosting PC by way of a standard interface such as a USB. Moreover, such a standard interface permits to extend a host-PC with more than one device of COPACOBANA. The initialization of FPGAs, the control as well as the process of results accumulation is carried out by the host. Critical computations are carried out by the FPGAs, which meet the actual cryptanalytical architecture (Schleiffer, 2006).Developing a system of the above speculations with FPGA boards which are commercially available is certainly possible but at a cost. Therefore it is important to put into considerations the design and layout among others in coming up with the above kind of system (Schleiffer, 2006). This would therefore mean that our cost-performance design meant for cost optimization is only capable of being achieved if all functionalities are restricted to those required for code breaking. Arty the same time, many designs choices should be based on components and interfaces which are readi ly available (Guneysu, 2006).Conclusion In conclusion, cryptanalysis of symmetric and asymmetric ciphers is extremely demanding in terms of computations. It would be fair to hold the belief that breaking codes with conventional PCs as well as super-computers is very much costly. Bit-sizes of keys should be chosen in a way that traditional methods of code breaking do not succeed (Rouvroy et al 2003, pp. 181-193). This would mean that the only way to go through ciphers is to develop special-purpose hardware purposely meant for suitable algorithms.In the final analysis, traditional parallel architecture in the end equally appears to be too complicated and therefore not cost saving in finding solutions to cryptanalytical problems. As earlier observed, many of these problems can easily be put in parallel implying that the algorithms which correspond to them are equally capable of being parameterized to lower communication costs (Guneysu, 2006). A hardware architecture which is cost effec tive (COPACOBANA) is the end product of the algorithmic requirements of the intended problems of cryptanalysis.This work represents not only the design but also the first prototype of an effective design which meets the demands of the request. In the final analysis, COPACOBANA would be able to accommodate as many as 120 FPGAs which are less costly. At the same time, it is possible to break data encryption standard (DES) within a period of nine days. This would require a hardware design comprising of reprogrammable logic which could be adopted to accommodate any task, even those not necessarily in line with code breaking (Rouvroy et al 2003, pp. 181-193). References Blaze, M.. , Diffie, W. , Rivest, R. L., Scheiner, B. , Shimomura, E. , and Weiner, M (1996). Minimal Key Lengths for Symmetry Ciphers to Provide Adequate Commercial Security. Ad Hoc Group of Cryptographers and Computer Scientists. Retrieved from December, 13, 2008 from http://www. counterpane. com/keylength. html. Clayto n, R. and Bond, M. (2002). Experience Using a Low-Cost FPGA Design to Crack DES Keys. In B. S. Kaliski, C. K. Koc Cetin, and C. Paar, editors, Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems – CHES 2002, 4th International Workshop, Redwood Shores, CA, USA,volume 2523 of series, pages 579 – 592. Springer-Verlag. Conrad, E. (2007).Data Encryption Standard, The SANS Institute Diffie, W & Hellman, M. E. (1977). Exhaustive cryptanalysis of the NBS Data Encryption Standard. Computer, 10(6): 74-84 Electronic Frontier Foundation. (1998). Cracking DES: Secrets of Encryption Research, Wiretap Poolitics & Chip Design. O’Reilly & Associates Inc. Federal Information Processing Standard. (1977). Data Encryption Standard, U. S Department of Commerce. Guneysu, T. E. (2006). Efficient Hardware Architecture for Solving the Discrete Logarithm Problem on Elliptic Curves. AAmasters thesis, Horst Gortz Institute, Ruhr University of Bochum. Landau, S.(2000). Standing the Test of Time: The Data Encryption Standard vol. 47, 3, pp. 341-349. Lenstra, A and Verheul, E. (2001). Selecting Cryptographic Key Sizes. Journal of Cryptology, 14(4):255–293. Rouvroy, G. , Standaert, F. X. , Quisquater, J. , and Legat, D. (2003). Design Strategies and Modified Descriptions to Optimize Cipher FPGA Implementations: Fast and Compact Results for DES and Triple-DES. In Field-Programmable Logic and Applications- FPL, pp. 181-193 Schleiffer, C. (2006). Design of Host Interface for COPACOBANA. Technical report, Studienarbeit, Host Gortz Institute, Ruhr University Bochum

Foundations of Behavior Essay

The field of psychology is expanding and credit is due to the numerous research studies being conducted. These research studies utilize different methods and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, five popular research methods will be compared based on their characteristics, objectives, strengths and weaknesses, research techniques, validity, and reliability. These research methods are case study, naturalistic observation, survey research, correlational research, and the experimental method. The case study is a focused study on a person or a specific group or a particular situation. Its research design involves five components, which are the study questions, the propositions, the units of analysis, the logic linking the data to the propositions, and the criteria for interpreting the findings (Tellis, 1997). Case studies have varying purposes. Some case studies are conducted to either confirm or challenge an existing theory, while others are carried out to describe either a special or an extreme case. A case study obtains information from documents (letters and newspapers), archival records (service records, survey data), interviews, direct observation (done when field visits are needed), participant-observation, and physical artifacts (instruments and tools). One of the most established techniques in case studies is called pattern-matching, in which the data is linked to propositions. The reliability of case studies is relatively high, especially when protocols are established. However, validity, especially construct validity, sometimes becomes questionable because the researcher might be subjective in his decisions and interpretations. This can be minimized by utilizing multiple sources, by setting up a chain of evidence, and by asking major informants to review a draft of the case study. The common criticism against case studies is that its results cannot be used to arrive at generalizations. But the greatest strength of case studies is that it can present an in-depth and holistic knowledge about a particular situation, group, or person. The naturalistic observation is unique from all other types of observation in that the researcher does not hinder, interrupt or influence the environment being studied. One of the vital things to consider in conducting naturalistic observation is to record as much detail as possible, which includes smell, sound, taste, time, place, number of participants, and feelings. This is why journals and a variety of writing materials are utilized. But the use of any recording device, such as video cameras, is not allowed because it violates the privacy of the observed individual. The reliability of this research method relies on the accuracy of observation. One technique of increasing reliability is to have several observers (Hesse, 2003). The greatest advantage of naturalistic observation is that it is considerably less expensive than other methods. But, the subjects being studied may act differently because of their awareness of the presence of the observer. This will significantly reduce the validity of the results (Piercy, 2007). The survey research is characterized by its major means of collecting information. The researcher usually goes out and asks questions. The questions can be oral or in written form. And the respondents can be chosen in many ways. Some respondents are chosen at random while others must possess certain characteristics. For example, if a survey research is about elementary teachers, then a high school teacher will not be asked to answer the questionnaire. The techniques involved in survey research lie in the analysis of the collected data. The reliability and validity of survey research are affected by several factors, such as the quality of the sets of questions or the questionnaire, the amount of data collected, and the accuracy in using measures of central tendencies and variability. Ideally, the questionnaire must be standardized. Greater reliability and validity is achieved if the sample represents a greater part of the total population. One advantage of the survey method is that it is relatively cheap and easy. Unfortunately, it is also subject to human error and biases (Government of Saskatchewan, 2002). The correlational research is essentially the discovery of a relationship between two variables. Unlike the previously described methods, correlational research is quantitative in nature. The different techniques used in a correlational research are regression and prediction, multiple regression, factor analysis, and systems analysis (Davis, 2004). The greatest advantage of using this method is that its results can be used to formulate predictions and generalizations. This is due to the nature of the research techniques. But the greatest danger of this method is to over-generalize. It must be remembered that an established relationship between two variables does not mean a cause-effect relationship between them. If a researcher wanted to establish a cause-effect relationship, then the research method to use is the experimental method. Similar to the correlational research, it is concerned with variables, which can be either independent or dependent variables. The independent variables are usually manipulated so that there will be two groups being studied, the experimental group and the control group. These two groups have the same characteristics except for that one variable which is being tested. The difference between these two groups can be found in the dependent variable. The reliability of this method is increased by conducting the same experiment for several times. Its validity lies in the accuracy of the procedures and the careful handling and analysis of results. The greatest advantage of the experimental method is that it can present an explanation to a certain phenomenon. But it takes great skill and experience on the part of the researcher in order to conduct a good research experiment. One problem of experimental method is the issue of ethics in conducting experiments using human subjects. Any of these research methods can be utilized to examine an issue or phenomenon in psychology. The basis of choice usually depends on the goal of the research. The task of the researcher is to maximize the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of the chosen method. Bibliography Davis, J. (2004). Correlational research methods. Retrieved October 12, 2007 at http://clem. mscd. edu/~davisj/prm2/correl1. html Government of Saskatchewan. (2002). Psychology 20: Social Psychology: A Curriculum Guide for the Secondary Level. Retrieved October 12, 2007 at http://www. sasked. gov. sk. ca/docs/social/psych20/support_materials/faqnaturalistic_observation. htm Hesse, B. E. (2003). Issues in naturalistic observation. Retrieved October 12, 2007 at http://psyc. csustan. edu/bhesse/psy2020/Lectures/Fall03/p2020U2L5. pdf Piercy, J. (2007). Research methods. Retrieved October 12, 2007 at http://courses. cvcc. vccs. edu/Psychology_Piercy/research_methods1. htm Tellis, W. (1997). Introduction to case study. The Qualitative Report. 3(2). Retrieved October 12, 2007 at http://www. nova. edu/ssss/QR/QR3-2/tellis1. html

Ruby Bridges essays

Ruby Bridges essays Ruby Bridges was the first black child to cross an invisible line and enter an all white school. She was just six years old when she first arrived at that school in New Orleans on November 14, 1960. On Rubys first day, a large crowd of angry white people gathered outside the Franz Elementary School. The people carried signs that said they didnt want black children in a white school. People called Ruby names; some wanted to hurt her. She stuck through a year of injustices and at the end, there were more. The lesson she wanted us to learn, when she spoke to us, was that there are always going to be injustices, but if we just get to know people, prejudices will no longer exist. Now, Ruby has established The Ruby Bridges Foundation. She has a website that you can visit at www.rubybridges.net. I think that Ruby Bridges is a truly amazing person. She was a very courageous girl, walking into that school and facing that mob. And, even more, she prayed forthem! "Please, God, try to forgive those people Because even if they say those bad things, Just like You did those folks a long time ago When they said terrible things about You." Ruby Bridges was a huge part of the history of the civil rights movement. What she did was an inspiration to many kids, parents, and teachers. She inspired integration of blacks and whites in the schools in the South. Today she is 45 years old, and she gives speeches at schools. She has even established a foundation to help underprivileged children become successful students. So, in conclusion, I think Ruby Bridges is a great inspiration to all children everywhere. ...

Best Private Schools in Texas

Best Private Schools in Texas Looking for the best private school in Texas for your child? Check out some of these top institutions in around the Dallas/Fort Worth area of the Lone Star State. Presented in alphabetical order, this list of college prep schools has been generated by considering several key assessment factors, including student and parent reviews on multiple sites, class sizes, college graduation and placement, as well as testing scores. Please contact each school directly for the most updated information about each institution listed. Cistercian Preparatory School Founded in 1962 by monks escaping communist Hungary,  Cistercian Preparatory School  is a Catholic school for boys in grades 5-12.   349 students enrolled6:1 student teacher ratio66% of faculty hold masters degrees and 13% hold doctoral degrees24% students of color20% of families receive financial aid The Episcopal School of Dallas Educating students from different faiths, The Episcopal School of Dallas is a strong co-ed college-prep school with students in pre-school through 12th grade. 1,150 students enrolled20% students of color28% Episcopalian students52% boys 48% girls$3.5 million awarded to students for financial aid20% of students receive financial assistance7:1 student teacher ratioAverage class size of 16 Greenhill School In Addison,  Greenhill School  is an independent co-ed PK-12 school whose mission is to encourage excellence and openness in learning. 1,292 students enrolledAverage class size of 16 (Preschool is 15)44% students of color61% of faculty hold advanced degrees15% of students receive financial aidMore than $5 million in financial aid available to qualified families The Hockaday School The Hockaday School  for girls in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and sends 100% of its graduates on to college. With a 9:1 student to teacher ratio, this school provides an educational experience that promotes success.   486 students enrolled74 boarding school students enrolled36% students of color16% of students receive financial aid Parish Episcopal School Parish Episcopal School is a pre-K through 12th co-ed school for students of all faiths. Parish graduated its first class of seniors in 2007. 1,100 students enrolled8:1 student teacher ratio in PK-K, 14:1 in grades 1 and 2, 17:1 in all other grades22% diversity23 faith backgrounds100% of graduates are accepted at four-year colleges and/or universities St. Marks School of Texas Dallas, Texas boasts a number of single-sex schools, including St. Marks School of Texas, a non-sectarian, college-preparatory independent day school for boys in grades 1-12. 865 students enrolled8:1 Student Teacher RatioAverage Class Size: 1571% of faculty with advanced degrees100% of seniors attend a 4-year college or universityAdmits 22% of applicants annually46% students of color$2,400,000 budget for financial aid awards to qualified families Trinity Valley School Trinity Valley School is a K-12, independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school that has remained committed to a broad liberal education in the arts and sciences, culminating in the knowledge, skills, and wisdom to enable our students to excel at an appropriate college or university.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   970 students enrolled10:1 student to teacher ratioApproximately 20 students per class Ursuline Academy Ursuline Academy is a Catholic college-prep high school for girls in grades 9-12. The alma mater of philanthropist Melinda French Gates (who has given millions of dollars to the school to build a state-of-the-art science, math, and technology center), Ursuline Academy is also the oldest Dallas school in continuous operation. More than 800 girls enrolled30% students of colorMore than $1.2 million in financial assistance and merit scholarship awards given26% of students receive some form of financial assistance Yavneh Academy Founded in 1993 for Jewish students of all affiliations, Yavneh Academy is a modern Orthodox high school for girls and boys. 120 students enrolled3:1 student teacher ratioAverage class size of 10Less than 10% students of color Click here for a full list of​ Private Schools in Texas Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

FTC Warns of Check Overpayment Scams

FTC Warns of 'Check Overpayment' Scams The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers of a dangerous and growing swindle called the â€Å"check overpayment† scam, now the fifth most common telemarketing fraud and the fourth most common Internet scam ever reported. In the check overpayment scam, the person you are doing business with sends you a check for more than the amount they owe you, and then instructs you to wire the balance back to them. Or, they send a check and tell you to deposit it, keep part of the amount for your own compensation, and then wire the rest back for one reason or another. The results are the same: the check eventually bounces, and you’re stuck, responsible for the full amount, including what you wired to the scammer. Typical victims include persons selling something over the Internet, being paid to do work at home, or being sent â€Å"advance winnings† in a bogus sweepstakes. The checks in this scam are fake but they look real enough to fool most bankers. Look Out! The FTC offers the following tips for avoiding the check overpayment scam: Know who you’re dealing with – independently confirm your buyer’s name, street address, and telephone number.Never agree to wire back funds to a buyer a legitimate buyer will not pressure you to do so, and you have limited recourse if there is a problem with a wire transfer.If you’re selling something over the Internet, say â€Å"no† to a check for more than your selling price, no matter how tempting the plea or convincing the story.Resist pressure to â€Å"act now.† If the buyer’s offer is good now, it should be good when the check clears.If you accept payment by check, ask for a check drawn on a local bank or a bank with a local branch. You can visit that bank branch to determine if the check is legitimate.There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire money back.Consider an alternative method of payment, such as an escrow service or online payment service. If the buyer wants to use a service yo u have not heard of, be sure to check it out to be sure it is reliable – check its website, call its customer service hotline, and read its terms of agreement and privacy policy. If you do not feel comfortable with the service, do not use it. The Lottery Winner Version In another version of this scam, the victim is sent a fake check for â€Å"foreign lottery winnings,† but is told they need to wire the sender the required foreign government’s taxes or fees on the prize before they can cash the check. After sending the fees, the consumer tries to cash the check, only to be told the sender is trapped in a foreign nation with no way to produce the cash. The FTC warns consumers to â€Å"throw away any offer that asks you to pay for a prize or free gift; and do not enter foreign lotteries – most solicitations for them are fraudulent, and it is illegal to play a foreign lottery through the mail or by telephone.† Resources More advice on how to be on guard against Internet fraud is available at OnGuardOnline.gov . Consumers are asked to report check overpayment scams to their state Attorney General, the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch, a service of the National Consumers League  or 1-800-876-7060, or the FTC at www.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP.

No Child Left Behind and the Effects on Children with Special Needs Research Proposal

No Child Left Behind and the Effects on Children with Special Needs - Research Proposal Example No Child Left Behind makes it compulsory that the schools across the United should track the improvement and progress of all children with special education needs and students whose first language is not English. The Act advocates the schools to devise strategies so that such students attain similar score as their peers by the year 2014 (Harper, 2005). No Child Left behind Act advocates space and provisions for students with special education needs because not all children who are limited in English proficiency and have some kind of learning disability have the capability to take tests that are similar to those of other students in their standard. The allowances comprise of one-on-one testing periods, expanded test sessions, test booklets with large fonts, helping students to structure their answers and sign language translators (George & Margaret, 2007). The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has advantages for the students with special needs or learning disabilities but it als o includes certain barriers that might prevent these students from exercising all of the opportunities stated in the law (Cortiella, 2010). In the lieu of this paper we will be discussing the impact of NCLB on such students and assess its usefulness for children that require extra attention due to any kind of learning disability. This stipulation in the act helps the school administration; lawmakers, parents and the Education Department assess the improvement in the progress of students who are usually left behind in better academic attainment. NCLB with all its apparent advantages has initiated heated debates over the efficacy of standardized tests for the two groups that are the normal students and the students with special needs, and... This essay stresses that according to the review of literature on the topic, it has been highlighted that the NCLB Act has immensely affected students with special needs. The motivation that is provided for the low-performing students has decreased the level of expectations instead of increasing it. This is so because of the fact that the reaction of the law when the school fails to make adequate progress is not just providing extra help for students but also punishing the school. This report makes a conclusion that NCLB aims at reducing racial and class discrepancies in academic performance through establishing common expectation for all students. The Act also requires that the schools to pay consideration to academic performance of the underprivileged students; students with special requirements, students from low income groups as well as students of different ethnicities. Conventional systems that were employed by the states considered only the mean school performance. This allowed the schools to be rated highly even in cases where there ware broad achievement discrepancies between underprivileged and privileged students. Extensive research in this area of acceleration shows that it is an effective and low cost educational intervention for students with high abilities. 18 types of accelerations have been identified. Dual credit programs, ability grouping, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate are some other posted suggestions for meeting the n eeds of the gifted students.

You choose a topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

You choose a topic - Essay Example But studies in the recent few years have associated the mobile phone with undesirable behavior especially among the youth and college students who are found to be on their phones for at least nine hours in a single day. This raises the question especially among behavioral scientists of whether mobile phone usage can become addictive. Even with the numerous advantages, mobile phone usage increasingly being associated with behaviors which are harmful to health and with the potential of being disturbing. Research for instance has associated the use of cell phones while driving with accidents. A wide of body of information is available to suggest the use of cell phones while on the wheel reduces ones capacity to be attentive even in cases there are hands-free devices. Many countries have even gone ahead to ban the use of phones while driving but many people still continue with the habit. In an ironic turn there is evidence of phones turning from their important role of supporting social exchanges to an object obstructing the same. Just many people have found themselves in instances where their mobile phone usage has disturbed their good social exchange. As such, just like smoking the use of mobile phones is increasingly receiving bans in public places e.g. in libraries. On the overall cell phone usage is increasingly becoming associated with antisocial and potentially dangerous behaviors as well as the uncontrollable usage and signs of dependence. it is for these reasons that researchers and clinical practitioners must be aware of the availability of instruments to measure problematic use, socio-demographic and psychological factors thought to play a significant role in mobile phone addiction. Phones were initially solely for communities purposes in terms of calls but the emergence of smart phones allows wider usage of the gadgets. People can now access the internet