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Show THE THUNDERBIRD SUSC THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989 PAGE 3 Secondary block offers a foothold in the classroom BY HEATHER COX year-roun- To prepare secondary education majors for student teaching, SUSCs teacher education department added a secondary block program similar to the existing elemjptary block program. Steadily gaining momentum, the secondary block school year. We liked program began in the 1987-8- 8 what we saw at the elementary block, said Associate Professor of Teacher Education Neal Coyle concerning the decision to take the block program to secondary schools. We look at it as an easier transition into student teaching, he said. The secondary block is similar to the elementary block first implemented at SUSC 12 years ago. It is a methods block taken at the same time as the methodology class, said Teacher Education Department Head Quenton Bowler. The idea behind the elementary block is to get the students into schools outside Iron County, he said. Three components of the elementary block include learning how to teach classes such as math, language arts, science or social studies. The students also take a curriculum class, which provides a experience in student teaching, and a practicum class which involves a more hands-oexperience with student teaching. In the practicum class, students receive the opportunity to spend a week observing classroom functions in schools outside of Cedar City. Students spend the first few days becoming acquainted with the teacher and class they are assigned to, and by Friday they assume full responsibility for the class under the teachers supervision, said Bowler. Its kind of a teaching experience. Students in the elementary block have traveled to schools in Phoenix, Las Vegas and the Wasatch Front as well as large districts in California. Coyle thinks that these excursions give the students an experience. After returning from the secondary blocks recent trip to Los Angeles one student commented that the trip helped him appreciate school systems outside as well as inside the state of Utah. Not only did the students gain valuable teaching experience in Los Angeles, they also encountered some issues that currently affect school and offer the opportunity to work with students from a wider variety of cultural backgrounds. The practicum class also offers students the chance to look at schools where they may decide to work, on a and in some cases, can give them a foot-hol- d teaching job, said Coyle. Both Bowler and Coyle are optimistic that the number of participants in the secondary block will increase with time, eventually making it as successful as the elementary block. The education department is working into the program gradually, said Bowler, in order to make allowances for students schedules. systems in the nation as well as in Utah. They learned more about the workings and effects of the school system in the district they visited. They also had some experience with both perspectives of a teachers strike, said Coyle. Principals and superintendents like the elementary block program, said Bowler, because those who go on to student teach are familiar with the procedures and know exactly what to do in the classroom situation. People who come on campus tell us that they like our students and will hire them because of the experience because they are more ready and prepared, said Bowler, We hope that it will carry over into the secondary block. Since many SUSC graduates going into teaching will not teach in Iron County, or even in Utah, both block programs allow enrolled students a greater exposure to different schools and methods d 4 This year the secondary practicum class was funded by the school. Next fall, however, a $30 class fee will be required. SUSC is currently the only school in the state to have both the elementary and secondary block programs for student teaching. -V , n mini-stude- first-han- d f Students like Cathy Webb, an English major from Cedar City, may earn teaching experience through the block program. Senate grants PBL $6,425, but Shelton vetoes bill BY JODI REINARD Tempers flared Monday and a fiery debate heated ASSUSCs senate floor over Phi Beta Lambdas bill requesting $6,425 to attend its national convention. The senate body passed the bill, but it was vetoed Tuesday by ASSUSC President Jan Shelton. The club originally asked for $11,000 of next years bill for $29,835 senates annual funds. The the lesser amount would have provided an approximate senate-passe- d $377 in travel expenses for each of the 17 state winners who are to compete nationally in Orlando, Fla. If the club were granted the large portion of the working budget for next year, there wouldnt be enough funds left to support the other clubs on campus, Shelton said. I hate to see the rest of the student body suffer because they didnt raise the money themselves, she said. Sen. Patti Esplins investigation of the request revealed that the club had earned only $750 toward the trip. Nationals are the most important. If they are that important, why didnt they earn more money before comihg to the senate? asked Esplin. Shelton said the clubs request was unreasonable considering the little time and effort the club put into earning money toward the proposed trip. PBL hasnt done any fundraisers. There is no reason why they couldnt have raised the money, she said. They knew a year ago that they were going. Senate should be a last resort and a service to all students. I feel the senate is abused in some cases. They shouldnt come to us first, said Shelton. Most of the debate arose over the club members past efforts to raise a portion of the funds themselves. However, senators were appeased after amending the bill to $6,425 from the clubs revised request on Monday for $8,573. .Most senators agreed that PBL is a beneficial club, but the question was raised as to whether the club benefited enough students to warrant the appropriation of next years of such a huge sum totalling one-fift- h is fifth a a hard budget. Swallowing thing to do, said Sen. Dave Duce. Sen. Robert Johnson countered, If our goal is to promote excellence, and we send PBL back there, it will support the school. Club President Rog Olcott said that the club would make up the difference in whatever you do. He d affirmed that the club is to raise $5,000. Academic Vice President Retta Judd agreed, saying Every department is struggling for money. Florida is an expensive place for a convention. After almost an hour of debate, the senators revision alloted the $6,425 which included a $185 carry over from this years budget. We should all get a postcard, said Duce. With this allotment, the senate stipulated that the sum be prorated per person. If all who qualify to go hard-stretche- dont attend the convention, the senate will take back their portion of funds. Exhausting the rest of this years $535, senators passed a bill contributing $250 toward the Block and Bridle Clubs upcoming dance which paid for the live band. All other proceeds from the affair will be used for agriculture scholarships sponsored by the club. Of the $285 remaining in the budget, $100 went to Miss Rodeo SUSC, Sheri Sorensen. The title is equivalent to Miss SUSC, said Duce. Other senators agreed and decided to give the rodeo pageant contestant funds equal to Miss SUSCs allotment. Bills regarding the American Folk Ballet and the senators leadership conference trip were tabled. Senators investigation found that neither body needs the funds. Senators concluded the session with the presentation of one line item investigation which involved Project Alta, a special group designed to help SUSCs 23 handicapped students on campus and those with learning disabilities. Project Alta Representative Daren Estes asked that seven cents be taken from Open RecreationIntramurals budget and seven additional cents be funneled from the line item. general fund to create a This would give Project Alta $1,092 to buy resource equipment for next school year. Other senators agreed with Estes proposal and amended the general fund and Open RecreationIntramural line items, reducing them by seven cents each to accommodate the needs of the Project Alta Program. |