CSU To Launch Math and Science Teacher Initiative

Contact: Clara Potes-Fellow, (562) 951-4800, cpotes-fellow@calstate.edu

Feb. 27, 2006 –The California State University will launch its math and science teacher initiative at a summit on March 2 at the Pacific Palms Conference Center in Industry Hills.

The Higher Education compact between Gov. Schwarzenegger and the CSU and University of California identified the critical shortage of K-12 math and science teachers as a major priority. The summit is intended to lay the groundwork to address the need to recruit and train more and better-prepared math and science teachers. The CSU has committed to double the production of math and science teachers by the year 2010.

"This symposium will help identify specific strategies to recruit and train more math and science teachers and increase the number of students who take advanced science and math courses during high school," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "It is critical that students have the skills for the workforce needs of today's science and technology-based industries."

Eight CSU presidents from campuses including San Luis Obispo, Fullerton, Northridge, Los Angeles, San Diego, Channel Islands, Fresno and Humboldt will be presenting perspectives on the central issues, challenges and solutions for significantly expanding the math and science teacher pipeline.

The CSU Chancellor's Office is co-sponsoring the summit with a number of partners including The Boeing Company, the California Space Authority, the California Council on Science and Technology, Edison International, the Majestic Realty Company, Morgan Stanley, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and State Farm Insurance.

The summit will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Pacific Palms Conference Center, One Industry Hills Parkway.

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, 405,000 students and 44,000 faculty and staff. Since the system was created in 1961, it has awarded about 2 million degrees, about 84,000 annually. The CSU is renowned for the quality of its teaching and for the job-ready graduates it produces. Its mission is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing needs of the people of California. With its commitment to excellence, diversity and innovation, the CSU is the university system that is working for California. See www.calstate.edu