Support of California's Science and Mathematics Teacher Preparation Initiative

AS-2727-05/TEKR - November 3-4, 2005

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (CSU) commend Dr. Charles Reed, Chancellor of the California State University, Dr. Robert Dynes, President of the University of California, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for their efforts in establishing the California Science and Mathematics Teacher Preparation Initiative; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU commend the Governor for his current support for the California State University in the State's Science and Mathematics Teacher Preparation Initiative; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU strongly commend the ongoing efforts of the Office of the Chancellor to obtain additional funding to support, adequately, the California State University's primary role in science and mathematics K-12 teacher preparation; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU commend the Office of the Chancellor for the depth of their collaboration with the Senate's Committee on Teacher Education and K-12 Relations in implementing the Science and Mathematics Teacher Preparation Initiative.

RATIONALE: The Academic Senate CSU support the first step that California's Governor Schwarzenegger and Chancellor Reed have taken to move toward addressing a gaping need in teacher preparation. Indeed, California's business community and the Governor recognized California's severe, chronically unmet need for highly qualified science and mathematics teachers in the State's middle schools and high schools. Consequently, the Science and Mathematics Teacher Preparation Initiative was developed. It is noteworthy that the California State University graduates 87% of education related Bachelor's degrees and 55% of California's credentialed teachers ("Working for California: The Impact of the California State University", January, 2005). In contrast to this past year's budget, the current draft budget proposal crafted by the Office of the Governor seems clearly to have considered the California State University's preeminent contribution to the preparation of the state's K-12 educators.