3/07/01

News Brief

Following is a story lead and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address these topics. Feel free to contact the sources directly.

UNI professor urges all schools to develop crisis plans

In the wake of the most recent school shooting in Santee, Calif., school administrators nationwide are wondering how they'd handle such a tragedy. Robert Decker, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling and Postsecondary Education, knows exactly how it should be done. Decker is author of the book, "When a Crisis Hits: Will Your School Be Ready?" detailing plans schools can make in advance to handle situations like the shooting in Santee, Calif.

Robert Decker, professor, Educational Leadership, Counseling and Postsecondary Education,

(319) 273-2443

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

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3/07/01

News Brief

Following is a story lead and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address these topics. Feel free to contact the sources directly.

Leaders in College of Education suggest alternative to Legislators' teacher-pay idea

The Iowa Legislature recently unveiled its plan for linking teacher assessment to pay. Thomas Switzer, dean of the College of Education (COE) at UNI, says history has shown these sorts of plans rarely succeed. He suggests that compensation be given to teachers who complete professional growth activities that increase student learning, and support school improvement plans.

Another member of the COE, Victoria Robinson, notes paper and pencil tests do not address issues like disposition or implementation of instruction. "There is a tendency for a test to take over as the measure of teaching ability. That's not the goal. The goal is to make sue we have quality teachers."

Thomas Switzer, dean, College of Education, (319) 273-2717

Rori Carson, associate dean, College of Education, (319) 273-2265

Victoria Robinson, assistant professor, Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Postsecondary Education (319) 273-3070

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

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3/7/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Leah White, director of forensics, (319) 273-7200

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI Speech team placed third at Mid-American Forensic League tournament, March 3

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Individual Events Speech team placed third at the Mid-American Forensic League tournament in Omaha, Neb., March 3.

Several students contributed to the team standings with individual awards. Senior Lucas Messer, communication/theatre education major from Danville, and junior Nikki Vap, English teaching major from Manchester, placed second in duo interpretation. Messer also placed third in poetry interpretation and sixth in program oral interpretation.

Carolynn Sween, political communication major from Waterloo, placed third in after dinner speaking. Sophomore Amy Larsen, undecided major from Ankeny, placed third in communication analysis, fourth in impromptu speaking and sixth in persuasive speaking.

Freshman Sara Gronstal, elementary education major from Council Bluffs, placed fourth for UNI. Tanya Newnam, freshman criminology major from Dubuque, placed sixth in prose interpretation.

For further information contact, UNI forensics director, Leah White, (319) 273-7200.

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3/7/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Lawrence (Larry) Escalada, assistant professor of physics and science education, (319) 273-2431

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Winners of Physics Olympics Regional Competition at UNI advance to state competition

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Some 160 students from 11 different schools participated in the UNI/AEA 7 Regional Physics Olympics competition held at the UNI-Dome on Feb. 22. School team winners and the event team winners advance to the state competition on April 3, at Kirkwood Community College.

Waterloo East High School placed first overall and advances to the state competition. Denver High School B placed second.

Teams competed in five events: self-propelled catapult, mouse-trap car, toothpick bridge, soda straw arm and water heater. In order to win the self-propelled catapult event, the device must carry and launch a ping-pong ball the closest distance to a target from a given launch site. To win the mouse-trap car event, the device must travel a certain distance in the shortest period of time. To win the toothpick bridge event, the device must support the largest applied force. To win the soda straw arm event, the device must support a given mass from the longest soda straw arm. To win the student powered water event, the device must facilitate the largest temperature increase for a given amount of water.

NOTE: to obtain a listing of competitors, please contact the Office of University Marketing & Public Relations at (319) 273-2761.

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