RS 21-7-200 Merle P. Prater Papers

Descriptive summary

creator:	Prater, Merle P. (1922- )
title:	Papers
dates:	1953-2007, n.d.
extent:	9.22 linear ft. (16 document boxes, 4 card boxes)
collection number:	RS 21/7/200
repository:	University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

Administrative information

access:	Open for research
publication rights:	Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation:	Merle P. Prater Papers, RS 21/7/200, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

Biographical note

Merle P. Prater was born June 4, 1922 and raised in Webster City, Iowa. He went to Webster City Community College (1940) for one year prior to attending Iowa State College (University), where he received a B.S. (1944) in electrical engineering. While at Iowa State, he was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and later transferred to the U.S. Naval V-12 training program. After graduation, he was sent to Columbia University for officer training, where he graduated as an Ensign (1945) in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Prater served as the communications officer (1945-1946) aboard the U.S.S. Neville transporting army, navy, and marine personnel from the Western Pacific to the United States. He was discharged from active duty in 1946. He remained in the Naval Reserve until 1954.

Prater was hired by IBM (1946-1971) to do electrical and mechanical design and equipment testing. Later, he became an IBM consultant on engineering problems with marketing groups, and was promoted to Development Engineer where he developed the first use of the magnetic stripe “cash card” ticket for San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

In 1971, a national economic downturn forced IBM to reduce their staff, which allowed Prater, on a voluntary basis, to explore an interest in forestry. He received a B.S. (1974) in Forest Management and an M.S. (1977) in Environment and Education from Washington State University. His master’s thesis focused on the Ragged Ridge Center for Outdoor Educational Opportunities, 720 acres of land that Prater was designated to develop for outdoor education by Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. While Director (1973-1977) of the Center, he created a curriculum manual for the Center, which featured over 200 interdisciplinary student exercises. In 1975, the Ragged Ridge Center received the National Environmental Study Area designation from the National Park Service. Due to financial difficulties, Whitworth College traded Ragged Ridge to the Inland Empire Paper Company for land in the Spokane Valley. After leaving Ragged Ridge, Prater accepted a position (1977-1979) with the Bovay Engineering (Spokane, Washington) to help them establish a water system for the Colville Indian Reservation.

In 1979, Prater established his own firm called Diversified Systems Development; the name was later changed to Integrative Educational Systems (IES). The firm dealt with environmental educational applications learned by Prater during his experiences at Whitworth College and applied this knowledge to be presented to upper elementary school children. IES was about linking courses such as social studies, language, science, and math, and teaching them in a way that allowed students to experience the connections between subject areas. This approach was called “INTEREX,” a combination of “interdisciplinary” and “experiential.”

Prater earned a Ph.D. (1984) from Gonzaga University in their Educational Leadership program, later called Doctoral Program in Leadership.

Prater married Elsie Jansen on March 10, 1945. They have four children: Jeffrey, Tom, Steven, and Nancy. Prater currently lives in Ames, Iowa.

Collection description

The collection (1953-2007, n.d.) contains Prater’s autobiography, a dissertation, thesis, patent files, and articles. The papers also include reference materials relating to Prater’s interest in civil systems, which detail urban and civic problems and solutions from around the world. The records regarding Integrated Educational Systems document Prater’s work with schools and teachers. The papers also include correspondence with well-known educators. In addition, the collection contains information concerning Prater’s association with numerous educational organizations.

Organization

This collection is organized into 4 series:

Series 1: Biographical Information, Writings, and Patent Files (1953-2007, n.d.)

Series 2: Civil Systems Articles, Related Reference Materials (1969-1971)

Series 3: Integrative Educational Systems (IES) Records (1974-2007, n.d.)

Series 4: Interactions with Educational Organizations (1978-1999)

Description of series


Series 1	Biographical Information, Writings, and Patent Files	1953-2007, n.d.
extent:	0.42 linear ft. (1 document box)
description:	This series contains biographical information, a Ph.D. dissertation, Master’s degree thesis, and articles written by Prater. The patents include information regarding a card punching device, photosensitive records, and a type of manifold record assembly. The writings include articles, reports, and other publications regarding Prater’s work with Integrative Educational Systems and the Ragged Ridge Environmental Center.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
1	1	Biographical Information – Autobiographical Profile	2001-2007
20	13	Photograph – Merle Prater, Ph.D., Age 84 (color copy)	2006
2	21	Things That Are Worthwhile (Re: Vol. C – School Children)	1988
1	4	“A System Approach to the Development of a Wildland Setting and Associated Program for Environmental Education” – Thesis	1977
1	5	“Ames ISU Laboratory, Ames, Iowa, Investigative Report Concerning Ames Inactive Nuclear Waste Sites” – Report	1993
1	6	“Radiological Survey of the Old Waste Water Treatment Facility and Adjacent Areas, Ames, Iowa” – Report	1994
1	7	“Status Correspondence and Miscellaneous Documents Concerning the Radiological Hazards of the Ames Sports Complex Location, November 23, 1994 – May 23, 1996” – Report	1994-1996
1	8	“A Backup Report to the Controversy Surrounding the Ames Youth Sports Complex, Inc., Location” – Report	1995
1	9	“On Risk Assessment and Related Radiological Health Concerns for Children at the Ames Youth Sports Complex Location” – Report	1996
1	11	“Proposal for a High Speed Railroad System in America” – Report	2000
3	7	Delphi Technique vs. the Groupthink Process for Planning Future Events	1981
1	14	U.S. Patent File, Volume I	1962-1971
1	15	U.S. Patent File, Volume II	1953
2	1	“Second and Third Year Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions of Their Teaching Proficiencies as Related to Accumulated Quality Components of Their Course Hours and Grades in Teacher Education at Central Washington University” – Dissertation	1984
2	14	Summary of Prater Doctoral Dissertation	1985
3	14	Raw Data Summary Chart: Central Washington University Graduates Elementary Teaching Proficiencies Survey	1985
1	4	“A System Approach to the Development of a Wildland Setting and Associated Program for Environmental Education” – Master’s Thesis (copy 1)	1977
1	13	“A System Approach to the Development of a Wildland Setting and Associated Program for Environmental Education” – Master’s Thesis (copy 2)	1977
2	2	Integrative Educational Systems (IES), Donated Reports and Publications – Index	n.d.
1	3	Indexed Books and Periodicals of the Merle P. Prater Education Library	2006
1	16	National Geographic Maps Donated to the Iowa State University Department of History – Listing and Correspondence	2007
1	2	“On Managing the Crisis of Educational Restructure and Reform” – Article	1990
1	10	“Whitworth College Ragged Ridge Environmental Education Center Project Archives” – Report	1973-1977
1	12	“Whitworth College Ragged Ridge Center for Outdoor Educational Opportunities, Curriculum Manual” – Publication	1978

Description of series


Series 2	Integrative Educational Systems (IES) Records	1974-2007, n.d.
extent:	2.52 linear ft. (6 document boxes)
description:	This series contains documents, correspondence, and information relating to the IES program created by Prater to help upper elementary aged school children learn how different facets of the world are interrelated. The series also includes information regarding the Whitworth College Ragged Ridge Environmental Center, such as a guidebook, brochures, and ethnohistory of the Center. In addition, there is correspondence between Prater and prominent educators.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
9	7	Integrative Educational Systems (IES) Documents, Volume B – INTEREX (Interdisciplinary/Experimental) Background, Research, School Project, District Policy (1 of 2)	1978-1986, n.d.
10	1	Integrative Educational Systems (IES) Documents, Volume B – INTEREX (Interdisciplinary/Experimental) Background, Research, School Project, District Policy (2 of 2)	1978-1986, n.d.
10	2	Integrative Educational Systems (IES) Documents, Volume C – Upper Elementary Grades, Environmental Education, Doctoral Dissertation, IES Business Practices (1of 2)	1978-1986, n.d.
10	3	Integrative Educational Systems (IES) Documents, Volume C – Upper Elementary Grades, Environmental Education, Doctoral Dissertation, IES Business Practices (2 of 2)	1974-1992
10	4	Integrative Educational Systems (IES) Documents, Volume D – IES Prospectus, IES Presentations and Workshops, IES Tracking Map of Prater’s Educational Activities	1978-1993, n.d.
10	5	Trail Planning, Layout, and Construction, Volume E	1974
10	6	Ethnohistory of the Ragged Ridge Center, Volume F	1974
10	7	Ragged Ridge Teacher’s Guidebook, Tree Guide; Volume G	1977, n.d.
10	8	Ragged Ridge Informational Materials, Volume H	1975-1992, n.d.
2	3	Discussion of the Development of a Regional Environmental Education Center in Relation to Anthropological Action	1974
2	4	New Process in Environmental Awareness Education	1975
2	5	Applied Research Linking Early Education Teaching/Learning Methods of Instruction to Lifelong Coping, Acceptable Behavior, Social Responsiveness, and Mental Health	1978
2	6	Impacts of Elementary School Teaching/Learning Systems on Lifelong Coping and Social Responsibility	1978
2	7	Summarized Presentation: Applied Research Linking Early Education Teaching/Learning Methods of Instruction to Lifelong Coping, Acceptable Behavior, Social Responsiveness, and Mental Health	1980
2	8	Parent Intervention for Curriculum Change (Re: Vol. B – INTEREX Research)	1980
2	9	Elementary Teacher Perception of Student Motivation Through Use of Interdisciplinary/Experiential (INTEREX) Teaching Methods	1981
2	10	Future Planning Design	1981
2	11	Longitudinal Experimental Test Design for Study of the INTEREX Teaching/Learning Strategies’ Long Term Effects	1981
2	12	Proposal to Determine the Feasibility of Conducting a Limited INTEREX Research Program in the Upper Elementary School and Its Carry-over Effects into the Secondary School (Re: Vol. B – Research)	1981
2	13	Reports by Sixth Grade Teachers Edward Henning and Nancy Rowland Concerning Their Classroom Experience with Interdisciplinary/Experiential (INTEREX) Teaching/Learning Project, Midway Elementary School, Mead, Washington	1982
2	15	Elementary Schooling: A Key to Problems within the Teaching/Learning Continuum?	1985
2	16	School District Program for Improved Junior High and High School Social and Academic Impact Through 4^th-6^th Grade Interrelatedness Education: Easel Presentation (Re: Vol. B – District Policy)	1981
2	17	Horizontally Articulated Approach to Elementary Education: A Forerunner to Success at the Secondary Level	1986
2	18	Effects of Teacher Education Course Qualities on Elementary Teachers Perceptions of Their Teaching Qualities	1987
2	19	Upper Elementary Interrelatedness Teaching/Learning Program Model to Prepare Students for a Positive Transition into the Junior High/Middle School	1987
2	20	Questionnaire: School District Consideration in Implementing INTEREX Teaching/Learning (Vol. C – IES Client Administrative Materials)	1988
2	22	School Reform and the Use of Neglected Forces (Re: Vol. C – School Restructure and Reform)	1988
2	23	Predicting Teacher Education Course Quality Effects on Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions of Teaching Proficiencies	1988
2	24	Case for Use of a Neglected Force in School Reform	1988
2	25	Managing the Crisis of Educational Restructure and Reform (Re: Vol. C – School Restructure and Reform)	1990
2	26	Program Implementation Manual – The IES Upper-Elementary Interrelatedness Teaching/Learning Model	1990
2	27	Educational Reform, Change, Improvement, Innovation, Renewal: Six Means to an End	1990
2	28	Upper-Elementary Interrelatedness Teaching/Learning Transitional Bridge to Junior High/Middle School	1990
2	29	American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Workshop – Elementary level Teaching Proficiencies Based on Inherent Qualities of Courses in Teacher Education	1991
2	30	Price List – IES Published/Unpublished Articles; Occasional Papers and Presented Papers	1991
3	1	Revised Index Graphics (Workshop Kits and Miscellaneous Documents)	1991
3	2	Philosophy and Services of IES (Integrative Educational Systems) Services	1991
3	3	Client Agreement Documents	1991
3	4	Strengthen the Strategic 4^th-8^th Grade Bridging Years: Formalize Long-term Interdisciplinary/Experiential Teaching/Learning	1992
3	5	Compendium of Supportive Letters for the IES Initiatives in Behalf of Integrated Education	1992
3	6	Pilot Study Affecting the 4^th-8^th Grade Bridging Years	1992
3	8	INTEREX Kit for Building a Sociogram	1991
3	9	Example of a Hypothetical INTEREX Study Theme Selection/Implementation Process	1991
3	10	Group Psychological/Sociological Processes – Things to Observe	1991
3	11	Review and Critique of Child Development and Education	1981
3	12	Summary: The Interrelatedness (INTEREX) 4^th-6^th Research Program Outline	1982
3	13	Process Observing	1992
3	15	Educational Comments Concerning the INTEREX Teaching/Learning System and the Ragged Ridge Environmental Education Center	1987
3	16	INTEREX Rationale: The IES Interdisciplinary/Experiential Teaching/Learning Strategies	1991
3	17	Inventory, Cover Letter for Donation of July, 2007	2007
10	9	Integrative Educational Systems (IES) – Correspondence, List	2007
10	10	Compendium of Supportive Letters for Integrative Educational System (IES) Initiatives in Education	1974-1992
10	11	Correspondence – Earnest Boyer – President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching – Meetings about Educational Problems	1985-1991
10	12	Correspondence – Noreen Daly – Dean, College of Education, Florida Atlantic University; President, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; Dean, College of Education, Iowa State University – Teacher Education/Classroom Teaching	1986-1991
10	13	Correspondence – Sandra Damico – Professor, College of Education, University of Florida – Faculty Driven School Improvement, Improvement Model	1988
11	1	Correspondence – Linda Darling Hammond – Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University – Review of a Prospective Phi Delta Kappa Manuscript	1990-1999
11	2	Correspondence – Elliot Eisner – Professor, Education and Art, College of Education, Stanford University – Educational Imagination and the Interdisciplinary/Experiential (INTEREX) Teaching/Learning System	1987-1992
11	3	Correspondence – Ronald Frye – Assistant Dean, School of Professional Studies, Central Washington University – Teacher Education Doctoral Dissertation	1984-1991
11	4	Correspondence – Howard Gardner – Harvard Graduate School of Education – Higher Order Learning, Gardner’s Writings and the IES Approach to Teaching/Learning	1992-1994
11	5	Correspondence – Thomas Good – Professor of Education, University of Missouri – Prater Statement of Important Research Direction	1986-1987
11	6	Correspondence – John Goodlad – Professor, Graduate School of Education, UCLA – IES Interrelatedness and Educational Philosophy	1985-1992
11	7	Correspondence – Gary Griffin – Dean, College of Education, University of Illinois at Chicago – Preservice Teacher Education Research and IES Educational Research	1987-1990
11	8	Correspondence – Gene Hall – Director, Research, and Development Center for Teacher Education, University of Texas – Incorporation of the IES Study for a Course on Contemporary Issues in Teacher Education	1986
11	9	Correspondence – Ronald Kelly – Professor, Rochester Institute of Technology – Letter on Research Follow-up to Former Chairman of Prater Doctoral Dissertation Committee	1989
11	10	Correspondence – Judith Lanier – Dean, College of Education, Michigan State University – Contract Regarding Teacher Education Research	1988
11	11	Correspondence – Ann Lieberman – Executive Director, Puget Sound Educational Consortium, Seattle, Washington – Details of School Reform	1987-1992
11	12	Correspondence – Arnold Lindaman – Director, Horace Mann Laboratory School, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri – IES Workshops with Local Public Schools	1991-1992
11	13	Correspondence – Armand Mauss – Professor, Sociology Department, Washington State University – Former Prater Professor, Mauss’ Work with Drugs in Schools and IES	1989
11	14	Correspondence – Richard Manatt – Professor, Director, Iowa State College of Education’s School Improvement Model Projects – Teacher Evaluation and Schooling to Learn	1993
11	15	Correspondence – Diane Ravitch – Adjunct Professor of History and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University – Crisis in Education	1985-1988
11	16	Correspondence – Theodore (Ted) Sizer – Chairman, Department of Correspondence – Education, Brown University – Coalition Structure, Introduction to IES Approach to Teaching/Learning and School Restructure	1987-1995
11	17	Correspondence – James Sweeney – Professor, College of Education, Iowa State University – Restructuring Schools/Crisis Management	1991
11	18	Correspondence – Gordon Vars – Professor of Education, Kent State University – Importance of the 4^th-8^th Grade Bridging Years	1991-1992
11	19	Correspondence – Thomas Tanner – Professor, Environmental Studies and Secondary Education, Iowa State University – Environmental Education and Mutual Work While in Washington State	1982-1987
11	20	Correspondence – Selma Wassermann – Professor, Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada – Colleague in Areas of Critical Thinking	1987-1994
12	1	Correspondence – Richard Wolfe – Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington – IES Interdisciplinary/Experiential (INTEREX) Teaching/Learning; Doctoral Committee Member in Gonzaga University Educational Leadership Program	1984-1994
12	2	Correspondence – Niambi Webster – Professor, Department of American Multicultural Studies, Sonoma State University – Multicultural Educational Thoughts and Concern	1993
12	3	Correspondence – Linda Aaseng – Elementary Teacher, Eau Claire, Wisconsin – Educational Experience with Ethnic Children	1995-2006
12	4	Correspondence – Brian Benzel – Correspondence	1986-1992
12	5	Correspondence – Nan Bonfils – Consultant and Teacher, East Asia Writing Project, International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Meeting in Iowa, Forwarded IES Educational Materials: Teaching Conditions, Map, and Photo	1992
12	6	Correspondence – Richard Clark – Deputy Superintendent, Bellevue, Washington School District – Potentials for Using IES Interdisciplinary/Experiential Instruction Strategies	1990-1991
12	7	Correspondence – Levaun Dennett – Principal, Montlake Elementary School, Montlake Terrace, Washington – Connections Between Dennett’s Eduational and IES Elementary Education Program	1988-1992
12	8	Correspondence – Edward Henning – Elementary Teacher, Midway Elementary, Mead, Washington – Classroom Experience with IES Interdisciplinary/Experiential Teaching/Learning Program	1987-1992
12	9	Correspondence – Doris Larson – Elementary Teacher, Carbondale, Illinois School District – Introduction to Nan Bonfils, Elementary Teacher in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Introductory Information to IES Interdisciplinary/Experiential Teaching/Learning Methods	1992
12	10	Correspondence – James Mahan – Superintendent, Elementary School District #133, Homewood, Illinois – Contacts for School District Incorporation of IES Interdisciplinary/Experiential Teaching/Learning Methods	1990-1992
12	11	Correspondence – Elliot Marenbloom – Director of Middle School, Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson, Maryland – Met Marenbloom and Gordon Vars, ASCD San Francisco Meeting, Exchange of Educational Viewpoints	1991-1992
12	12	Correspondence – Jeff Newell – Assistant Principal, Anne Sullivan Communication Center, Minneapolis – Visited School; Presented and Discussed IES Kit; Explored Potentials for a Program	1992
12	13	Correspondence – Nancy Stowell – Teaching Coordinator, Spokane Public Schools, Spokane, Washington – IES Briefing Material for Upper Elementary Teaching/Learning Education	1992
12	14	Correspondence – Shari Strating – Teacher Horace Mann Lab School, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri – Follow Up of IES Teaching/Learning Workshop	1992
12	15	Correspondence – Richard Wallace – Superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Public Education, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Follow Up of OERI Meeting Concerned with Quality of Teacher Education	1990-1991