ilbegone
01-15-2010, 08:06 PM
State tries to attract math and science teachers
January 12, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO - Some would-be teachers will have a new and potentially faster way to receive credentials under this month's state legislation meant to improve California's chances of getting federal school-improvement money.
Inland Assemblyman Brian Nestande said the change should help ease the state's shortage of math, science and vocational instructors by attracting mid-career people who want to teach but are unwilling to spend months in a traditional credentialing program.
It's for someone who says, "I don't need to spend a year of my life getting a credential when I probably know the issue better than anyone in the room teaching me," said Nestande, R-Palm Desert, who is vice chairman of the Assembly Education Committee. "Let's try something different and try to get those people into the classroom."
This month's legislation comes as the state prepares to apply for federal Race to the Top money by Tuesday's deadline. Supporters say the bills will increase California's chances of getting up to $700 million in federal school aid.
Part of the legislation will increase the number of ways that would-be science, math and career technical teachers can get a credential.
For years, people wanting teaching credentials have needed to enroll in programs at UC, CSU or private colleges.
Expanding the number of credentialing options has been a longtime goal of some education groups, said Bill Lucia, policy director for EdVoice, which worked on Race to the Top.
Nestande introduced an alternative credentialing bill in late November. By early December, a version of the proposal -- limited to science, math and career technical education credentials -- was folded into the main Race to the Top legislation.
The California Teachers Association opposes the change, along with some other parts of the Race to the Top package.
Teachers union spokeswoman Sandra Jackson said the alternative credentialing process will lead to lower standards for teachers at the same time officials want better student performance.
Trade unions and nongovernmental organizations have been mentioned as possible sources of alternative credentialing programs. Details of the program are still being worked out.
The state Commission on Teacher Credentialing is crafting a process to begin reviewing applicants by summer, a spokeswoman said.
"It's going to be tight but we think we can do it," commission spokeswoman Marilyn Errett said.
January 12, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO - Some would-be teachers will have a new and potentially faster way to receive credentials under this month's state legislation meant to improve California's chances of getting federal school-improvement money.
Inland Assemblyman Brian Nestande said the change should help ease the state's shortage of math, science and vocational instructors by attracting mid-career people who want to teach but are unwilling to spend months in a traditional credentialing program.
It's for someone who says, "I don't need to spend a year of my life getting a credential when I probably know the issue better than anyone in the room teaching me," said Nestande, R-Palm Desert, who is vice chairman of the Assembly Education Committee. "Let's try something different and try to get those people into the classroom."
This month's legislation comes as the state prepares to apply for federal Race to the Top money by Tuesday's deadline. Supporters say the bills will increase California's chances of getting up to $700 million in federal school aid.
Part of the legislation will increase the number of ways that would-be science, math and career technical teachers can get a credential.
For years, people wanting teaching credentials have needed to enroll in programs at UC, CSU or private colleges.
Expanding the number of credentialing options has been a longtime goal of some education groups, said Bill Lucia, policy director for EdVoice, which worked on Race to the Top.
Nestande introduced an alternative credentialing bill in late November. By early December, a version of the proposal -- limited to science, math and career technical education credentials -- was folded into the main Race to the Top legislation.
The California Teachers Association opposes the change, along with some other parts of the Race to the Top package.
Teachers union spokeswoman Sandra Jackson said the alternative credentialing process will lead to lower standards for teachers at the same time officials want better student performance.
Trade unions and nongovernmental organizations have been mentioned as possible sources of alternative credentialing programs. Details of the program are still being worked out.
The state Commission on Teacher Credentialing is crafting a process to begin reviewing applicants by summer, a spokeswoman said.
"It's going to be tight but we think we can do it," commission spokeswoman Marilyn Errett said.