The Vista March 11, 1982

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91r3131C/ March 11, 1982

YISTg Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma

Vol. 80, No. 45

American public unaware of amendment provisions According th a 1980 Gallup Survey, 76 percent of the American public does not know what the first amendment says, according to Frank Sutherland, national treasurer for the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi (SPJ, SDX). "The people around you, those who read your newspapers, watch your television stations and listen to your radio don't know what the first amendment says," Sutherland said. He added that 69 percent of the public believes government should regulate the content of radio; television and newspapers, according to the same survey. Government officials seem to be taking advantage of this apathy, and the Reagan administration is making what Sutherland sees as great strides in curbing press freedom. Reagan's moves are under scrutiny by professionals at SPJ, SDX. According to Sutherland, the national officers got together in January to rate Reagan on his first year in office. Reagan received a grade of 10, failing nine of the ten categories tested. "For the past four months, the administration has been at work on executive orders that would make it easier for government agencies to classify information, thus withholding it from the public," Sutherland said.

"President Reagan has held just six press conferences in the first year," he added. "This is fewer than any first term president in at least half a century." The Reagan administration did come out againt moves to regulate press freedom around the world, enabling the president to pass one category, Sutherland added. Sutherland also found fault with the Agent Identity Bill, which would make it a crime to reveal, in the media, the name of a present or former CIA agent. While it was written in response to overseas activity, it is being enforced on American reporters, Sutherland said.

"It is just part of the means to chip away at the first amendment," he said. While the government is taking a strong lead in curtailing press freedoms, it is not the only group to do so, he said. Some boards take action to control the freedom of the press. Many books were banned for use in schools in 1981, including the American Heritage Dictionary, Kramer Versus Kramer, The Scarlet Letter, A Farewell to Arms, Brave New World, Benji on His Own, The Thornbirds and Huckleberry Finn. "As you can see, this is not exactly a reasonable attack, but it's working," Sutherland said.

Vista photo by Karen Moore

Frank Sutherland, national treasurer of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, was on campus this week emphasizing the importance of freedom of information. March 16 has been designated Freedom of Information Day in Edmond by Mayor Carl Reherman.

Senate passes contraceptive bill By Donna Bennett Two important pieces of legislation were passed by the Student Senate in their weekly meeting. Resolution 82-109, concerning the purchase of contraceptives, passed with little dissent. The bill authored by Mary Kelly, Gavin McInnis and Joe McCourry would change the discriminatory practices concerning the purchasing of contraceptives from the Student Health Center. Senators stressed the point that students

would be encouraged to buy the birth control pill or condoms for non-student spouses. Resolution 82-110 passed without difficulty. The bill called for the inclusion in information pamplets of material concerning majors and financial statues for foreign students. Senator Craig McVay amended the resolution to strike the word foreign, stating the information should be available to all prospective students. The bill and amendment

passed without difficulty. Sen. David Ball tendered his resignation from the senate due to business concerns and President Tim Reese appointed Rodney Davis with the approval of the senate. Parlimentarian Mike Anderson, chairman of the Terry Pierce Fund Raising Committee, informed the senate body of the progress being made to raise the money needed to purchase the special equipment Pierce needs.

Pierce was a Central State computer science major who was injured after an intramural wrestling match. Paralyzed from the neck down, Pierce needs special equipment with a puff-and-blow apparatus to communicate and become mobile. Contributions may be sent to the Terry Pierce Fund, VP Administration, room 204, Central State University, Edmond, OK. 73034.

Students question teaching exams By Joanne Garrett Ambiguous questions, high cost and measurement of the wrong capabilities were some of the concerns voiced by Central State University students who recently received curriculum examination scores. The tests became a state requirement for a teaching license when House Bill 1706 was passed by the state Legislatue. "I thought most of the questions were relevant, but some were ambiguous. For example, in the area of child-rearing, the answer depend on what expert you listened to," said Dena Kirby, CSU vocational home exonomics ma-

jor. "I think the concept of curriculum exams is good, but I think they jumped on it too fast and didn't get the 'bugs' worked out of it." "National Evaluation Systems, Inc. in Amherst, Mass.; contracted to develop, field test and administer the curriculum exams," said Dr. Kenneth Elsner, CSU director of student teaching. "They consulted specialists, teachers in the field and the State Department of Education." A field test was administered in October for item analysis and validity. "I wouldn't mind taking these tests if I started out with a higher

In this issue. .

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salary than someone who graduated last year. They know I'm qualified," said Bernadette Marinovich, special education major. "No matter when you set the date, somebody is going to be affected," said Elsner. "For example, when they quite giving life certificates for teaching, the requirements were raised only for those without a certificate. They have to start somewhere." "I thought the cost was prohibitive," said Pam Snapp, biology education major. "I had to pay $110. For about a month or so, I was broke." Snapp and her husband both work and go to school full time. It's possible to take eight tests during one administration, said Elsner. When results are publicized, the data reflects the number of exams administered. Nine scores could represent two people. For each adinistration, the cost is $40 for the first test, $30 for the second, $20 for the third, $10 for the fourth and $10 for each test thereafter. The number of tests required varies for each field. In general, students must pass an examination to receive certification to teach in that area.

Students must also pass an umbrella test and an area test to be able to teach in a minor area. Curriculum exam results in the newspapers do not indicate whether students studied the subject as a major or a minor area. If a person has 18 hours in their minor, they probably would not have the same level of knowledge as someone who had enrolled in 50 hours in the field, said Elsner. For this reason, some universities would not allow students with only a minor in the area to take the test. Other universities were more lenient with their requirements. In addition to the 90 credit hours set by the State Board of Education, CSU required students to be in the semester of their student teaching to be able to take the test. "Public relations is involved, because the test scores will reflect on the university," said Elsner. "We want the students to be adequately prepared to take the test, so we have set some standards. But we hope the requirements won't be so restrictive that we actually penalize the students. "I also think it's premature to give us the credit or the blame for

some of the students' scores," Elsner added. "Because CSU is in a metropolitan area and has large numbers of people who come and go, many students both work and go to school, perhaps finishing a degree program started at another school. Some students have been in the military and have accumulated 80 or 90 hours of college work at other places," said Elsner. "The best part of House Bill 1706 is the entry-year assistance," said Simmons. A committee consisting of three educators will observe and guide the licensed teacher. After one year, the committee will either recommend certification or another year of assistance. If the committee does not recommend certification after the second year, then the teacher will not be able to receive certification in Oklahoma. "I feel grateful to know that someone will be there, so I can talk to them and ask their advice," said Simmons. The curriculum exam, however, does not measure teaching ability, said Elsner. "How do you know they're goContinued on page 3


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