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IV C. - BACKGROUND AND MISSION OF PRICE LABORATORY SCHOOL

 


BACKGROUND

The History of Price Lab School

Most laboratory schools had their origins on normal school campuses (somewhat like combination high schools/junior colleges for preparing teachers) to serve as model schools and to provide opportunities for practical experiences for teachers in training.

Price Laboratory School, originally known as the Campus School, was established during the "boom period" for these institutions when, in 1884, Iowa State Normal School President James Gilchrist documented the need for such a facility. Over the years, the school has undergone a great many changes and has been located at a number of sites. Before occupying its present building, constructed between 1951 and 1957, it was housed in what is now Sabin Hall on the UNI central campus. The present facility was named in honor of Malcolm Price, President of Iowa State Teachers College from 1940 to 1950.

Today Price Laboratory School is one of 105 laboratory schools found on college and university campuses throughout the nation. It is the only institution of its kind in Iowa and is one of only 15 in the country which operates complete programs from nursery school through grade 12. In recent years, such schools have been encouraged to place additional emphasis on research and curriculum development functions - areas in which Price Laboratory School is very active.

 

Price Laboartory School's Association with the University of Northern Iowa

Price Laboratory School is operated, funded, and controlled by the State Board of Regents as a part of the University of Northern Iowa. It is administered within the UNI College of Education, where it is included in the Department of Teaching. This department also included the Office of Student Field Experiences (OCFE).

Like any other university division, the laboratory School is funded by the State Board of Regents from funds allocated by the Iowa Legislature, and it appears as a line item in the UNI budget. Grants, based on projects proposed by the school’s faculty and others also contribute to its funding.

 

Differences Between Price Laboratory School and Public School

The major difference between Price Laboratory School and public schools is in the number of constituencies the Laboratory School serves. Whereas most schools are answerable mainly to the local community, the Laboratory School has three broadly defined publics to serve:

        1. UNI teacher education program
        2. Iowa schools and educators
        3. Local resident clientele

 

Price Laboratory School Administration

Price Laboratory School is not operated by a local school board in the traditional sense. Ultimate authority for the school and its operations rest with the State Board of Regents. This body delegates decision-making authority according to the following chain of command:

        1. UNI President
        2. UNI Vice President for Academic Affairs
        3. Dean of the UNI College of Education
        4. Head of the Department of Teaching
        5. Laboratory School Director
        6. Principal (NK-12)

Additional administrative support and guidance are provided by unit and subject area department chairpersons and a faculty advisory council. Community input is facilitated by an elected Parent Advisory Committee.

The Laboratory School and its faculty are recognized leaders among the National Association of Laboratory Schools. Its faculty hold offices and other positions of distinction in an untold number or state, regional, and national professional organizations.

 

THE PRICE LABORATORY SCHOOL FACULTY

 


Qualifications of Laboratory School Faculty

With rare exceptions, the minimum criteria for employment on the Price Laboratory School faculty include a master’s degree licensure in appropriate areas, and several years of successful teaching experience. Most faculty exceed these criteria to a considerable extent. Among the characteristics that set Laboratory School faculty apart from their public school counterparts is their active involvement with professional organizations, research, publishing, and consultant work - not to mention their work with university classes and students.

 

Price Laboratory School Teachers are University Faculty

As with university faculty in other departments, Price Laboratory School teachers are eligible to achieve professorial rank and tenure, and they take an active part in university governance procedures. The salary for Laboratory School teachers is comparable to that of other university faculty.

 

Price Laboratory School Use of Standard Text Series

There are a number of reasons why Price Laboratory School faculty may not rely heavily upon commercially available textbooks and instructional series:

        1. Faculty are encouraged to take an eclectic approach and to use the most appropriate features of various publishers’ offerings in an effort to maximize the achievement of students with varied learning styles.
        2. Faculty are expected to take an active role in developing "exportable" instructional methods and material.
        3. Single commercial sources often do not provide adequate content and resources to effectively implement locally developed programs of instruction.


Program of Studies and Activities

The Price Laboratory School’s program of studies and activities is determined on a variety of bases, and input is provided from a number of sources. Among them are legal requirements, North Central Association standards, faculty instructional and research interests, and the needs, interests, and concerns of students and parents. A major share of the instructional materials utilized in the school’s programs has been developed and/or adapted for use by the school’s faculty.

 

School Organization

Price Laboratory School includes an Early Childhood Center and nursery school (for 4-year olds), kindergarten, and grades 1 thought 12th grade. Administratively, it is organize on an NK-5, 6-8, 9-12 basis.

The elementary school consists of five units, each staffed by two to four teachers. They are Unit I, nursery-kindergarten; Unit II, grade 1; Unit III, grades 2-3, and Unit IV, grades 4-5.

The Middle School program includes grades 6, 7, and 8 and two sections of each grade. Approximately 30 students are in each section. The high school program includes grades 9 through 12.

The secondary day is divided into eight 44-minute instructional periods beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 3:08 p.m. with a 50-minute lunch period for students in grades 9-12 and a 30 minute lunch period for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.

 

PRICE LABORATORY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Approximately 560 students from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area attend Price Laboratory School. They range from an Early Childhood Center to the 4-year-old nursery school children to 19-year-old seniors in high school. PLS tries to maintain a 13% minority enrollment based on the state of Iowa statistics.

Enrollment in the Laboratory School is voluntary, and eligibility is determined by residence in the school’s attendance zones and date of application. The resulting student body is fairly representative of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area. Enrollment ceilings ranging from 44 to 65 students per grade (depending on the level) are in effect at the Laboratory School. Until these ceilings are reached at all levels, first consideration for admission is given to basic zone residents, followed by residents of the buffer zone, and then, at the secondary level, at-large candidates from the Cedar Falls school district who reside outside these zones. Open enrollment became available to Price Laboratory School in the fall of 1991.

 

MISSION

The legislature of the State of Iowa authorized the Board of Regents "to establish and operate elementary and secondary laboratory schools at the institutions of higher education under its control." (Iowa Code s.265.1 1985).

"Laboratory schools" shall mean schools operated by an education institution for the purpose of instructing students, training teachers, and advancing teaching methods.

The three purposes of Price Laboratory School (PLS) are established by law.

The mission of the school is built in accordance with these three purposes:

        1. To provide an excellent education for the NK-12 students PLS serves. The second and third parts of the mission build on this education program.
        2. To enhance and complement the teacher preparation program at UNI. Quality experiences under the direction of PLS faculty produce highly-skilled educational leaders.
        3. To assist practicing teachers in improving their teaching methods. Through research, curriculum development, demonstration, consultation, conferencing, and promoting the exchange of ideas, PLS faculty contribute to the professional growth of educators, particularly those in the schools of Iowa.

 

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