Iowa Board of Regents Efficiency and Transformation Study
Departmental Information Regarding Academic Programs
College of Education
2013-14
Trend Analyses
36. Research challenges and opportunities
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY & FOUNDATIONS
MAE-PDT (online version): Students are expected to carry out a research
project. This is more challenging done online. However, it also offers an
opportunity for faculty to understand and influence practice in multiple schools.
Professional Development for Teachers (Cohort-based & Face-to-Face): Some
faculty members collaborate with their advisees on research projects that they
later publish. The faculty also network with teacher-members in cohorts and
find new field experience venues for their college classes. Partnership occurs
between the university and practicing teachers in the community.
Ed. S. in School Psychology (and MAE in Educational Psychology with Context
and Techniques of Assessment Emphasis. The School Psychology program is a
two-degree program): The School Psychology program is interested in schoolbased research in a number of areas that could benefit the state (e.g. program
evaluation, early literacy instruction, mental health in the schools). Research
projects are limited by faculty time and access. Examples of works in progress,
manuscripts under review and publications for the current academic year follow.
Clopton, K., & Uhlenburg, J. (in progress). Books about military deployment for
young children.
Clopton, K., Wagner, M. J., Schmitz, S., & Skaar, N. (in progress). The
professional development school as a model for training school psychologists.
Schmitz, S. L., & McCurdy, M. (under review). The development of
phonological awareness in young children: Examining the effectiveness of a
phonological awareness program.
Schmitz, S. L. & Loy, S. (under review). The effectiveness of a phonological
awareness program and its components.
Schmitz, S. L. (in progress). Student experiences with the special education
identification
process
Schmitz, S. L., East, K., & Amundson, P. (in progress). Teacher knowledge of
child development:
Is it important for effective teaching?
McCurdy, M., Clure, L., Bleck, A., & Schmitz, S. (in progress). A brief
experimental analysis
and extended analysis with four spelling interventions.
Skaar, N. R., Christ, T. J., & Jacobucci, R. (in press). Measuring adolescent
prosocial and health risk behavior in schools. School Mental Health.
Skaar, N. R., Freedman, S., Carlon, A., & Watson, E. (under review). Using
models of change and collaborative consultation to infuse forgiveness
education into school bullying programs. Journal of Educational &
Psychological Consultation.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP & POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
Postsecondary Education: Postsecondary Education: Research challenge has to
do with limited faculty. Students are very connected with the field and offer rich
research opportunities.
Superintendent Preparation Program: A bold, innovative Superintendent
Preparation Program was unveiled in 2008. New courses were added to
reflect the changing dynamics of district-level leadership, societal demands
for greater accountability in student achievement and expectations for
engaging communities in the education of their youth.
Numerous partnerships were forged with organizations and entities
external to the University to create a network of practice in which
superintendent candidates could be immersed to expand knowledge and
better develop leadership skills. Internship experiences were broadened
through multiple school settings and mentors. Opportunities for
internships in business and industry as well in educational organizations
were also made available to candidates. Specific proficiencies expected to
characterize graduates from the preparation program were identified and
multiple assessments were put in place to ensure that only those who met
the proficiencies and rigors of the program were certified. Through all of
this program development, student enrollment has increased.
Our challenge is to continue to review and improve this very challenging
program and to keep all aspects of the program relevant for the
opportunities our students are seeking. Research theory into practice is
critical in our program.
DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM & INSTRCTION
Early Childhood: Influx of Burmese immigrants with children who are Dual
Language Learners in local schools; edTPA versus Teacher Work Sample as
assessment of teacher preparation program; PRAXIS II test implemented for
graduating seniors
Elementary Education: Influx of Burmese immigrants with children who are
Dual Language Learners in local schools; edTPA versus Teacher Work Sample as
assessment of teacher preparation program
PRAXIS II test implemented for graduating seniors
Literacy Education: edTPA versus Teacher Work Sample as assessment of
teacher preparation program
SCHOOL OF HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION & LEISURE SERVICE
Health Performance and Education: HPE research efforts are highly applied
with findings being incorporated into community engagement and service efforts
as well as classroom teaching.
As an M-1 University that is devoted to community engagement, public service,
and applied research, the UNI Division of Health Promotion and Education
specializes in providing practical assistance to communities throughout the state,
nation, and world. Faculty within the Division regularly as asked to provide
community needs assessments, program evaluations, white papers, strategic
plans, training sessions, consulting, and technical assistance to hundreds of
state, federal, local, and international organizations on community health and
health education topics.
The UNI Division of Health Promotion and Education has been recognized
nationally and internationally for its excellence in a number of key areas. Faculty
members are well published in national peer-reviewed journals, and regularly
present at state, national, and international conferences on their work. They are
among the leaders in the field in a number of key areas, including: Minority
community health; immigrant and refugee community health; community health
in disasters and conflict zones; health and human rights; maternal and child
health promotion; refugee health; health literacy; cross-cultural health and
culturally responsive care; and many others.
Specific examples of applied research efforts include Dr. Zeman’s work in
immune-toxicicology in collaboration with Dr. Lisa Beltz of Malone University,
Ohio (and including partners at Trinity College) as well as her work with the UNI
Metal Casting Center and a survey of Iowa Business’s triple bottom line business
practices for sustainable manufacturing practices. Dr. Cornish’s work in
Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP) Grant Program Evaluation,
the Iowa Tobacco Cessation Program Evaluation project , and Formative
Research to Support Rural School Districts’ Food Service Staff, pilot research
which is funded by the University of Iowa PRC for Rural Health.
Physical Education: We have developed several interdisciplinary research
projects and professional learning communities over the past year. This has
been in response to our Dean’s request to expand our
Leisure, Youth and Human Services: 1. Economic impact studies with the
National Park Service, various community associations. 2. Current participation in
USDA sponsored NE 1962: Multistate Research on Outdoor Recreation, Parks and
Other Green Environments to Understand Human and Community Benefits and
Mechanisms. 3. Ongoing study being conducted with all UNI graduating (started
in May 2013) students to understanding the impact of participation in student
organizations on Bok’s Competencies. 4. Ongoing research in the area of
nonprofit management understanding how the nonprofit section responds to
economic conditions. Research in collaboration with faculty from U. of North
Texas, Pepperdine, U. of Central Florida, and U. of Mississippi.
DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Special Education—graduate: Graduate assistantships & tuition scholarships:
Each year, approximately four (4) graduate assistantships and tuition scholarship
awarded to the Department of Special Education by the Graduate College and by
other funding agencies/sources. This number has clearly increased over the past 5
years, providing valuable research, teaching, and support opportunities for
graduate students in the Department of Special Education.
Recruitment & retention of faculty committed to graduate education: Every
member of the Special Education Department faculty is involved in graduate
education, either through the MAE programs or the graduate-level endorsement
programs. The two most recently-hired faculty, Drs. Danielle Cowley and Amy
Olsen, will work with graduate students seeking the secondary endorsements, and
will help guide graduate student research projects.
External funding: The Department of Special Education has been highly
successful in seeking external funding. These grants and contracts have afforded
graduate students in the Department with teaching, research, and service
opportunities vital to their professional Development
Faculty research & Scholarship: The faculty in the Department of Special
Education have been productive in research and scholarship. Vitae including
publications for each faculty member involved in the MAE programs are available
at the Department offices.
DEPARTMENT OF TEACHING
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Assessment of Year Long student teaching
The need to balance research expertise with the service demands on our faculty
by PreK-12 schools
Working with the schools to ascertain their research needs and matching these
needs with departmental faculty to collaborate on the schools’ research
agendas.