California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Adopts New Mathematics Teaching Authorizations

At its meeting on 30 September 2010, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) unanimously approved a motion to adopt proposed preconditions and program standards for (a) the Mathematics Instructional Certificate (MIC) and (b) the Mathematics Instructional Leadership (MIL) Specialist Credential.

The MIC (K-Pre-Algebra) would permit certificate holders to teach mathematics in Kindergarten through Pre-algebra in departmentalized settings, while the MIC (K-Algebra I) would permit the teaching of mathematics through Algebra I. Both require three years of teaching experience. The MIL Specialist Credential builds upon the MIC and supports the development of mathematics teacher leaders in grades K-12.

For more information, please click here.

(Posted 10/12/10)

Presidential Advisors Highlight Plan for Improvements in K-12 STEM Education in New Publication, "Prepare And Inspire"

"Prepare and Inspire" is a new report by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The report makes specific recommendations on ways to better prepare America's K-12 students in STEM subjects and also how to inspire those students to challenge themselves with STEM classes, engage in STEM activities outside the school classroom, and consider pursuing careers in those fields. CAMTE member Peg Cagle was one of four STEM teachers asked to provide input into this report. For more details on the report, click here.

(Posted 10/12/10)

Presentation Files from the Joint Meeting of the State Board of Education and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing are Available

The agenda and presentation files from the November 8, 2010 joint meeting of the State Board of Education and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing have been posted on the Commission's Web site (http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas-minutes.html). Included are presentations on the recently-adopted Common Core California Standards and the implications of the new standards on teacher preparation. Please click here for file titles and links.

(Posted 12/03/10)

Preconditions for Foundational-Level Mathematics Subject Matter Programs Discussed by CCTC

On March 4, 2010, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing introduced an agenda item to discuss the preconditions for Foundational-Level Mathematics (FLM) and Foundational-Level General Science subject matter programs. For the FLM, CCTC is considering lowering the number of required semester units from 45 in mathematics to 32 (20 in mathematics and 12 in affiliated courses). Click here for details. To listen to this agenda item, click "Listen" on Item 2C here.

(Posted 3/10/10)

CAMTE Members Participate in the AMTE 2010 Annual Meeting in Irvine, CA

Mark Ellis served as Local Arrangements Chair and John Wilkins served as the official photographer for the AMTE 2010 Annual Meeting in Irvine, CA. AMTE Executive Director Nadine Bezuk helped keep things rolling smoothly. Numerous CAMTE members gave stimulating presentations, including Randy Philipp, who organized a half-day preconference session on using video and student work for effective professional development. Carol Fry Bohlin chaired a panel on the CSU Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) and has posted MSTI presentation files from five conferences here. A group photo of CAMTE members at the January 29 banquet is available here.

(Posted 3/10/10)

NSF Program Officer James E. Hamos Presents Informative Webinar on the Math and Science Partnership Program (MSP)

On 20 November 2009, the California State University Chancellor's Office hosted a workshop and webinar presented by Jim Hamos on the National Science Foundation's (NSF's) Mathematics and Science Partnership Program (MSP) and related topics. Hamos, a senior Program Officer for the MSP, delivered three interrelated presentations, each of which is now available for online viewing/download (see below).

Presentations:

(a) The Math and Science Partnership Program: The MSP supports projects that are models of K-12 STEM education excellence. They are based on and contribute to the evidence/research base for improving science, mathematics, engineering and technology outcomes for all students. Proposals will be due in April 2010 or later (see the MSP Web site for updated information: http://tinyurl.com/ydgoptt). Webinar Link: http://tinyurl.com/ycn4upa Presentation File: (.ppt)

(b) How to Write a Successful NSF Proposal (MSP and others): This presentation addressed the features NSF looks for in proposals, including (1) innovative ideas, (2) contributions to knowledge, (3) a project team with capacity for success, (4) institutional commitment to sustainability, (5) rigorous evaluation, and (6) promising approaches for dissemination. Presentation File: (.ppt)

(c) Roles of Math, Science, Engineering, and Education Faculty in NSF Partnerships: This presentation addressed the roles of faculty in math, science, engineering, and education departments in effective collaborations that bring about the significant improvements in K-12 STEM education outcomes that NSF seeks. Presentation File: (.ppt)

Additional information concerning the MSP program may be found at the following Web site: http://tinyurl.com/ydgoptt

(Posted 2/5/10)

CTC Approves Streamlined Approval Process for Subject Matter Programs

At the October meeting of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), Commissioners approved a streamlined review process for prospective subject matter programs. Effective immediately, prospective programs will be held only to the standard statement and not the "required elements," CCTC reports. For more information, please review PSA 09-12: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/PS-alerts/2009/PSA-09-12.pdf

The text of the item (2E) can be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas/2009-10/2009-10-2E.pdf. To listen to the discussion of this agenda item, go to http://www.ctc.ca.gov/audio/agendas/2009-10/2009-10-2E.mp3

At the October meeting of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), Commissioners approved a streamlined review process for subject matter programs. The text of the item (2E) can be found at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas/2009-10/2009-10-2E.pdf. To listen to the discussion of this agenda item, go to http://www.ctc.ca.gov/audio/agendas/2009-10/2009-10-2E.mp3

Effective immediately:

The only public comment received on this item at the October CCTC meeting was made by Mike Lutz, CAMTE President and Mathematics Professor at California State University (CSU), Bakersfield. He represented views that have been expressed on the CAMTE e-list. His statement included the following:

"[Subject matter] waiver programs are the preferred route [to demonstrate subject matter competency, not the CSET]. I do not believe the system reflects that preference. It might have been during the January meeting that Commissioner Pearson commented something like, 'That's what you get when you send a test to do the work of a curriculum.' From that, I don't sense disagreement among the Commissioners in what I am saying. So a process needs to be developed in which the preferred pathways are also ones that are encouraged. That is, we need a process that encourages rather than discourages the existence of subject matter waiver programs, and encourages prospective teachers to take that route. We need to get this turned around, and approving 2E is a very good beginning."