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Show WEBER STATE en Camera Club featured in art Exhibit UNIVERSITY See page 4 'Ludicrous' teacher proposition Local educators dislike bill to lift teacher certification process By Molly Bennett correspondent I The Signpost Abill that would allow a person to teach in elementary and secondary public schools without a teaching certificate was introduced in the House this week. Sponsored by Senator Chris Buttars (R-West Jordan), SB48 would allow a person to teach with a competency-based license, rather than requiring a teaching disciplines where there might be a teaching shortage. But, he said, "the key idea is to make sure there is some type of criteria or competency that the individual has mastered before entering the classroom." Wallis said they have found that people teach based on their past experiences. And there are new methodologies and learning styles of which teachers should be aware. certificate. "Some individuals learn The bill, which passed the differently than others," Wallis said, Senate last week, says that to teach, "and that's very important part of a person would have to have a the certification program." bachelor's, associate's degree or Wallis laughed when he spoke of some skill certification and have the what students would do when their skills, talents and abilities that make new teacher walks into a classroom a person suitable for a teaching with no teaching experience. position. "The kids on-the back row would Representative C. Brent Wallis start licking their chops," Wallis said. (R-Weber County) said he is Jack Mayhew, the Education concerned about the bill and Department chair for teacher believes it would affect the quality education at Weber State University of education. said the bill is unnecessary. "Certification has been a tried "We have a program in place," and proven method that I would Mayhew said, "for someone who hate to see scrapped," Wallis said. comes in and says he has a degree He said he understands the bill in a certain area and they want to could possibly benefit struggling teach. We are very flexible and can help them achieve that goal." Mayhew also mentioned Utah's Alternative Routes to licensure program. ARL allows participants to teach in an accredited Utah school on a temporary license for up to three years while they are fulfilling licensure requirements, according to the Utah State Office of Education. "If I were a parent of child with a disability, I would be very uncomfortable to know that anyone could teach my child without any background in behavior management, and specialized pedagogy," Mayhew said, who teaches special education. Claudia Eliason, WSU director of the master's program in the Department of Education said she thinks this is a huge issue. "It's ludicrous," Eliason said, "to think that because you have a degree in something, you can teach it." Eliason said there are so many courses that go into training teachers that are crucial. It is two years of training for elementary education and two semesters for secondary education in addition to student teaching. "We believe teachers need both content knowledge and a pedagogy of teaching," Eliason said. "How do you know how to write and IEP (Individual Education Plan), which is demanded in special education, if you haven't had a course on that? How can you be a productive team member?" Eliason said she thinks any member of the faculty in the WSU Education Department would have the same perspective. More than anything, Jack Mayhew said not requiring a teaching certification is like saying teaching is not a real profession. "No one in theirrightmind would. say that just anyone can be a doctor, lawyer, architect or engineer," Mayhew said. "Those areas require a specialized skills too." Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com Death of Away game ... no problem feminisim in question Perspective on cultural feminist movements changes with time By Eric Call sr. reporter I The Signpost Wednesday in the Wildcat Theater, a video screening and discussion was held titled, "Is Feminism Dead?" The discussion and movie both outlined some of the basic and larger aspects of the feminist movement. Some believe the term "feminism" was originally associated with the campaign for women's suffrage in France, Britain and the Seneca Falls convention in 1848, which is the declaration of sentiments. "Most of the women at Seneca Falls were associated with each through trying to abolish slavery," said Kathryn Mackay, a professor at Weber State University. "Many of them in tackling this race hierarchical situation were also willing to tackle a gender hierarchical situation." The women at Seneca Falls rewrote the Declaration of Independence in a way that spoke out against the tyranny of men rather than the British Empire. Notable women involved in this movement were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who are said to be the founders of the 70-year movement for women's suffrage. See Feminism page 5 PHOTO BY MATT CERR1SH | THE 5ICNFOST Weber State University fans cheer on the Men's Basketball Team last night at the Alumni Center. The Wildcats defeated the University of Montana 69-58 on the road, but the WSU Purple Rak didn't miss it, as they watched the game online at Big Sky TV. The Alumni Center broadcasts every WSU away game, providing snacks and drinks so Wildcat fans can enjoy road games. Construction projects in Utah booming with assitance from Obama's signed stimulus bill By Joshua Pedersen Usually the prospect of an orange construction cone causes a grimace of discontent, but for job seekers, orange is the new color of money. Criticized by some as laden with "pork," President Obama signed into law a stimulus bill Monday that sends tens of millions of dollars to Northern Utah. For construction workers, this "pork" means bringing home the bacon. With a budget of more than $45 million proposed for the Northern Utah region, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is expected to contract out approximately 1,500 jobs. From widening Syracuse Road to repaying 23rd Street, there are a total of six significant road projects that are on the table for Weber, Davis, Morgan, and Box Elder Counties. "UDOT is getting $143 million from Eteuati restitution hearing postponed After another postponed hearing, Bryant Eteuati will return to court once more to determine how much he will pay in restitution fees. Eteuati, a Weber State University senior wide receiver, is currently serving 60 days jail time in the Davis County Jail stemming from a July incident where he ran over four people with his vehicle after a fight broke out in a park in Kaysville. \ •/& Along with the jail time, Eteuati was sentenced to pay restitution fees, which were estimated at his sentencing last month to be more than $300,000. During his restitution hearing on Thursday, Deputy Davis County Attorney Brandon Paul requested more time to determine the exact amount Eteuati owes. While two of the victims' medical bills have been totaled, one victim is still receiving treatment from the July incident. Because of a surgery planned for that victim in March, it was requested that the restitution hearing be moved to the end of March. Second District Judge. Thomas L. Kay granted the request, and Eteuati will be in court again for a restitution hearing on March 26. "Snow Bunnies & Ski Bums" party Saturday UDOT prepares for construction blitz sr. reporter I The Signpost News in Brief the stimulus package,"- said Nile Easton the director of communications for UDOT. Easton also said the first projects are going to be announced this week. "As early as mid-March there will be new highway projects going on," Easton said. With the bulk of work beginning in Jtine, UDOT will be prioritizing which of the six projects in Northern Utah will be moving forward first. Easton reported that all of the projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2009. Weber State University Economics Professor Cliff Nowell said bringing new road construction money.to our local economy can potentially help everyone. "People earning wages, and spending them, means the impact will be greater than the $45-milIion initial injection," Nowell said. See UDOT page 5 SOURCE: UDOT.UTAH.GOV UDOT snowplows clean the median, pushing snow across the lanes of the freeway after a storm last Decqmter. UDOT projects will recieve a temporary boost in June. A Late-night "Snow Bunnies & Ski Bums" party, hosted by the Weber State University Wilderness Recreation Center, The WSU Bookstore and WSU Underground, will be held Saturday night, Feb. 21 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Promontory Tower. Rock Star will be giving away free drinks and swagg all evening. The WRC will be giving away free snowboard and ski rentals, and ski passes. DJ Sisco will be featured for the evening event, and ladies are asked to "dress up in your hottest winter outerwear." Those dressed in the best winter outerwear have the chance to win an iPod from the WSU Bookstore, and many other door prizes. Entry is $5. , _ Code Purple suceeds v with snowstorm alert s$i . ' • & Students received text messages, phone calls and e-mails through Code Purple Tuesday afternoon notifying them of the cancelled evening classes that day. Although many students have already signed u p for the free notification system, some have still not done so and. thus, do not receive the news when campus is closed or in the event of a campus emergency. Those who have not signed up can do so through the eWeber portal, or by visiting wiww. weber.edu/codepurple. If you have already signed . up for Code Purple, go into the system to verify your information and be sure you have entered your area code. |