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Fifth Annual CSU Teacher Preparation Report
Shows Grads Ready to Teach
Contact: Clara Potes-Fellow, (562) 951-4800, cpotes-fellow@calstate.edu
Evelyn Duarte (562) 951-4817 eduarte@calstate.edu
(March 14, 2006) – A total of 96 percent of California State
University graduates who have obtained teaching credentials since 2000 were
teaching the first year after graduation, according to the fifth annual teacher
evaluation of CSU’s Teacher Preparation Programs. Ninty-two percent of the
graduates were teaching full-time with another four percent at part-time.
“Each year we’ve seen an increase in the effectiveness of our teacher
preparation programs,” said Gary Reichard, CSU executive vice chancellor and
chief academic officer. “This annual evaluation gives us the needed tools
and feedback to continue to make improvements in the preparation of future
teachers.”
The Chancellor’s Office surveyed K-12 classroom teachers who had completed
their credential preparation at CSU campuses during the 1999-00, 2000-01,
2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 academic years. CSU also surveyed the school
supervisors of beginning teachers.
The annual evaluation included a total of 12,760 teachers and is part of
CSU’s efforts to remain accountable to the public about how well the CSU
campuses are preparing teachers to teach elementary, middle and high school
students.
Among the evaluation findings were:
- 96 percent of CSU graduates were teaching full or part-time the
first year after graduation; many of the part-time teachers served as
substitute teachers while applying for full-time positions
- In grades K-8, 83 percent of CSU teacher graduates were
prepared to teach California’s K-8 reading standards, according to
elementary school principals
- In grades 7-12, 90 percent of CSU teachers were prepared to
teach California high school curriculum standards in their major
subjects, according to their academic supervisors; and
- 94 percent of CSU English and math teachers were evaluated
as prepared in these subjects, according to their supervisors who
were the chairs of English and math departments
- CSU math teachers are particularly well prepared in algebra
and geometry, the subjects that all students must learn to be productive
in an increasingly global economy
- CSU English teachers are especially well-prepared in reading,
vocabulary and composition, in which all students must be proficient
in order to succeed at all schooling levels.
The report demonstrates the effectiveness of CSU in preparing new math
teachers with a strong understanding of the state’s math curriculum,
while highlighting the need for a larger number of these teachers at the
high school level.
“With five years of teacher preparedness data, each CSU campus will be
able to better evaluate the effectiveness of their programs,” said Reichard.
“Graduating well prepared teachers is a core mission of the CSU and this
annual evaluation is integral to teacher education.”
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
Last Updated: March 14, 2006
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