Progress Report: Three CSU Campuses Begin Doctorate of Education; Teacher Preparation Program Update; Math and Science Teachers Increase

(September 17, 2008) - Three additional California State University campuses launched new Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) programs in Educational Leadership this fall – CSU East Bay, CSU Northridge and CSU Stanislaus.

These campuses join seven other CSU campuses that began new Ed.D. programs in 2007: CSU Fresno, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, CSU Sacramento, CSU San Bernardino, CSU San Diego and CSU San Francisco.

More on the Education Doctorate Program
The new CSU Ed.D. programs address the state’s need for training administrative leaders for public schools and community colleges. Admission to the programs has been highly competitive and selective because of the large number of applications received.  Enrollment in the doctoral programs is anticipated to be over 300 across the ten programs currently in operation.

Approximately 60 percent of the Ed.D. candidates enrolled in fall 2008 are in the P-12 specialization and 40 percent in the community college specialization. These candidates are diverse in terms of gender and ethnicity, with a majority from groups traditionally underrepresented in educational leadership.

A report on the progress of the Ed.D program implementation was presented to the CSU Board of Trustees at the Sep . 17, 2008 meeting.

“CSU’s Ed.D. programs are becoming known nationally as a model for the education doctorate,” Gary Reichard, CSU executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer told the Trustees. “Our programs are focused on preparing education professionals to lead public school and community college reforms needed in California.”

Four additional CSU campuses are planning programs for Fall 2009 – CSU Bakersfield, CSU Dominguez Hills, Cal State Los Angeles and San José State University.

Evaluation of Teacher Preparation Program
At the same meeting the board heard a presentation from the CSU Center for Teacher Quality (CTQ) on the 8th annual evaluation of Teacher Preparation programs at the CSU campuses.

The CTQ results, for the first time, included information about the effects of SB 2042 (2004) on CSU Teacher Preparation. This omnibus legislation was co-sponsored by the CSU, and launched a major overhaul of teacher preparation in the state.

The percentage of favorable ratings for K-12 teachers rose across a wide spectrum, post-SB 2042. The most obvious improvement for CSU trained teachers was in the use of instructional technology, a high priority in the legislation.

The next step is to measure the effect of teacher preparation on student performance. The Carnegie Foundation and the CSU Chancellor’s Office have jointly funded an effort to determine the impact of teacher preparation on student learning, as measured by public school standardized testing.

CSU Increases Annual Production of Math and Science Teachers
The board also was informed that to date, the CSU has increased the annual number of math and science teachers by 68 percent.  In 2004 the CSU made a commitment to double its production of math and science teachers, from 750 to 1,500 annually by 2010. The CSU is well positioned to meet that goal since it currently is producing 1,289 math and science teachers annually.

The increase in math teachers also will make the CSU a strong contributor in the preparation of the state’s algebra teaching force. More teachers will be required as a result of the recent decision by the California State Board of Education to require all 8th grade students to take and be tested in Algebra I by 2011. CSU is considering additional initiatives to help public schools address this challenge.

About the California State University
The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 450,000 students and 46,000 faculty and staff. Since the system was created in 1961, it has awarded nearly 2.5 million degrees, about 90,000 annually. 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.

Contact: Clara Potes-Fellow
Claudia Keith
(562) 951-4800

More on the Education Doctorate Degree Education Doctorate Degree Program Current and Future Campus Ed.D. Program Descriptions Ed. D. Report More on the Teacher Education Program Center for Teacher Quality CSU Teacher Education Program Teacher Preparation Program Report