In Jill Stewart's column "Tuition plan hints at waste of school funds, (Viewpoint, Feb. 21), she criticizes public education teacher preparation as "outmoded." It is unfortunate that she did not verify her statements or update incorrect assumptions. The 21 California State University campuses with teacher education programs are state-accredited and aligned with state standards of curriculum.

The CSU is the only higher education system in the country that annually evaluates its preparation programs, analyzing the feedback of teacher graduates and the principals who hire and evaluate the new teachers. The results tell us that our graduates are well prepared in every aspect of what is needed for a beginning teacher to raise student achievement. The CSU is proud of our professional teacher preparation faculty and programs.

Beverly L. Young
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Teacher Education and Public School Programs
California State University System