Academics News
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UIL Calculator Application State Director David Bourell to Receive TMS Fellows Award
By Chris Schmidt, Communications Officer | Monday, January 31, 2011 11:47 AM
On March 1, 2011, David Bourell will be awarded with The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) Fellows Award. The TMS Fellow Award is a very exclusive, international honor as their can only be 100 living fellows at any point in time.
Verification Approved for Journalism Contests
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:16 AM
Next year, journalism coaches are going to see an addition in the Constitution and Contest Rules for our four journalism contests.
For the 2011-12 school year, all journalism contests will have a verification period. The change will read as follows:
- (G) Unofficial Results. Unofficial results of individuals who appear to have placed first through sixth place should be announced.
- (H) Verification Period. Prior to the announcement of official results, contestants and/or coaches shall be permitted no more than 15 minutes to identify contestants’ papers. Judging decisions and rankings are subjective and shall not be subject to protest. Coaches or contestants not present for the viewing period forfeit their opportunity to identify entries.
- Announcing Official Results. The contest director should announce the name and school of first through sixth place individuals. Official results, once announced, are final.
Computer Application Contest Changes with Technology Advances
By Linda Tarrant, State Contest Director | Wednesday, January 12, 2011 1:35 PM
Technology keeps changing, and the Computer Applications Contest continues to be pulled forward in the wake. With Microsoft Office 2010 now available, Computer Applications, in the spirit of using the "current or near current version of Microsoft Office,” will allow use of either Office 2007 or 2010 for all contests.
Currently, tests are written in Office 2007, and they are tested in both Office 2007 and 2010. Where the applications are not consistent, instructions are added for clarification. So far, most of the differences between the two versions seem again to be in the area of Access report output and are minimal.
For the official UIL tests for spring 2011, the Constitution clearly specifies the following parameters:
JoJo Passes: Facebook Helped Me Share Our Good News
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Friday, December 17, 2010 8:53 AM
A Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup for breakfast.
Not exactly the breakfast of champions. Especially for a four-year-old.
But we didn’t care.
We were under doctor orders, and we were willing to have one super unhealthy breakfast to challenge JoJo’s peanut allergy.
The good news is, he won.
After two years of herbal therapy with Dr. Xiu-Min Li of Mt. Sinai in New York City, JoJo passed a peanut challenge.
He no longer reacts to peanuts. He is still allergic to some tree nuts, but we are winning this food allergy battle.
It was the best Christmas present I could have ever received.
Play Still Available
By Luis Muñoz, Theatre Diretor | Tuesday, December 14, 2010 3:15 PM
The information we received regarding Moon Over Buffalo was in error.
“Mr. Ludwig’s agent did deny one request for a cutting for UIL last week for MOON OVER BUFFALO, but then he realized that it was for a competition performance and retracted his denial. “
Per Dramatic Publishing Company, Playing for Time by Arthur Miller is no longer available.
New Year Brings Opportunity for Reflection
By Treva Dayton, Academic Director | Tuesday, December 14, 2010 3:00 PM
As we prepare for the coming holidays and the beginning of a new year, life becomes even more hectic than usual with countless obligations, looming deadlines and limited time of accomplish all that’s on our ‘to do lists.’ But here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season, with time for family and friends and some much needed relaxation.
And when you are back in the classroom in January, here’s wishing you the very best in the upcoming UIL academic season. We’ll hit the ground running with CX debate district competition and Invitational A meets starting in early January, followed more quickly than you’d think possible by all the other academic spring meet events.
Recruiting, selecting and preparing UIL academic competitors will take time, energy and creative thinking on the part of academic coaches, on top of your regular classroom obligations. But as you work your way through finding the best resources, holding practices, scheduling study sessions, attending invitational meets and finally selecting district entries, maybe keeping in mind the core value of academic competition will give you a lift when you need it most.
Anchorage Press Is Moving
By | Monday, December 06, 2010 9:54 AM
Anchorage Press Plays will become a part of Dramatic Publishing in 2011. During late December 2010, sales and operations of Anchorage Press Plays will be moved to Woodstock, IL, the home office of Dramatic Publishing.
Moving Forward in Speech: Council Approves Computers for Extemp
By Jana Riggins, Speech Director | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 12:10 PM
The Legislative Council passed a staff proposal to allow speakers to use computers in the extemporaneous speaking preparation room under guidelines established by UIL. If the Commissioner of Education approves the amendment to the C&CR, the rule change will go into effect next school year.
Careful study of this issue has been ongoing. As soon as it became evident that computers in debate could be smoothly implemented statewide and most importantly, without negative results, I felt computers in extemp would be inevitable, but I was cautious. Maintaining the educational value of our contests and the particular skills they develop is of utmost importance, and I knew there were additional issues inherent in the extemporaneous speaking contest that would have to be considered.
Initially, I dialogued with college coaches in Texas and nationally, since collegiate forensic organizations already allow extemp speakers to use computers. As the National Catholic Forensic League took the bold step to include computers at their national high school tournament, I contacted the president of NCFL to discuss their rules and in the aftermath of their inaugural tournament, to examine any problems with implementation. The Catholic League officials were very positive about the change.
Tips for Current Issues & Events Contest
By Tom Ray, CI&E State Director | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 11:59 AM
As you begin to plan for the Current Issues & Events invitational season and district meet, I would like to share some thoughts with you.
First, let me congratulate you for participating in this event. I know how valuable academic competition has been in my life. My UIL experience began in 1984 competing in team debate and extemporaneous speaking. I was a typical debater— totally consumed by debate.
One day, my coach told me that I was going to compete in extemporaneous speaking, or “extemp” in speech jargon. She told me that I was going to give a speech over a random current event and that I would have 30 minutes to learn about the topic and write and memorize the speech. I thought the woman was a complete nut job!
OAP Enrollment Hits Record Mark
By Luis Munoz, Theatre Director | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 11:55 AM
Enrollment in the 2010-11 One-Act Play Contest has reached an all-time record enrollment of 1223. In 2007 we had 1205 schools. I want to thank all of the schools who enrolled and verified their entries in a timely manner.
The UIL Legislative Council passed two amendments to the Constitution and Contest Rules on Monday, Oct.18. Both of these changes will take effect August of 2011.