The California State University (CSU) held a high-level summit on March 2 to launch new science and math teacher initiatives, bringing together almost 300 educators and education experts (including 11 CSU campus presidents), as well as several members of CCST's California Teacher Advisory Council (Cal TAC), to discuss strategies for increasing CSU's production of math and science teachers in the years to come.

The Recruiting and Preparing Mathematics and Science Teachers Summit was one component of the initiative that arose from the May 2004 compact between Governor Schwarzenegger, the CSU and the University of California.

"The higher education compact identified the critical shortage of K-12 math and science teachers as a major priority," said CSU Chancellor Charles Reed in his opening remarks at the summit. "Our shared goal is to double the number of highly qualified math and science teachers that our system produces annually by the year 2010 - CSU has the capacity to build on its strengths in the fields of education, mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to achieve this goal."

CSU is funding a variety of programs with a focus on identifying those which offer maximum quality, accountability, and scalability. Reflecting on this comprehensive approach, the afternoon of the summit was devoted to seven concurrent sessions exploring best practices in areas from expanding undergraduate and credential pathways to recruitment to transforming teacher preparation through technology.

CCST, which is in the final stages of producing its report, California's Math and Science Teacher Shortage: A Critical Path Analysis, collaborated extensively with CSU on the summit. The summit discussions were launched by CCST Executive Director Susan Hackwood and Margaret Gaston, executive director of the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning. In addition, plenary speakers included CCST Board Member Warren Baker, president of CSU San Luis Obispo; CCST Council Member Milton Gordon, president of CSU Fullerton; and CCST Fellow James Rosser, president of CSULA. Lawrence Papay, CCST council chair, was the keynote speaker.

The CSU summit represents a timely response to the recent National Academies report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, which contains a strong message that the nation's science and math education needs serious attention in order to safeguard the future prosperity of the nation. The highest priority action recommended by the "Gathering Storm" is to annually recruit 10,000 science and mathematics teachers. Its next priority actions are to strengthen the skills of math and science teachers through training and education programs.

"CCST has been considering how California can respond to the challenges described in the National Academies' report," said Papay. "We believe that with concerted effort, informed and supported by higher education, business and industry and the national labs, California can achieve the ambitious goals laid out in that report. CSU's challenge is to translate the Gathering Storm recommendations into an actionable set of objectives and programs."

Partnerships are a key component of many proposed programs being explored by CSU. The summit was sponsored by a number of partners, including Apple Computer, The Boeing Company, the California Space Authority, the California Council on Science and Technology, the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning, Edison International, the Majestic Realty Company, Morgan Stanley, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and State Farm Insurance.

"There are important roles for the business community to play here, as well as the federal laboratories," said Baker, a CCST board member. "Partnering is going to be essential to put into place a comprehensive, multi-part strategy to recruit, educate and retain a new generation of mathematics and science teachers."

Close cooperation with the education system is also a priority. Science and math teachers from Cal TAC provided valuable input in the afternoon concurrent sessions.

1. COMPREHENSIVE RECRUITMENT AIMED AT EXPANDING AND DIVERSIFYING THE POOL OF CANDIDATES
Objective: To significantly expand recruitment pools for new mathematics and science teachers.

2. CREATION OF NEW CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS
Objective: To establish multiple new pathways to mathematics and science teaching credentials.

3. INTERNET-SUPPORTED DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION
Objective: To create a system-wide, Internet-supported math and science credential option.

4. COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Objective: To implement integrated 2-year/4-year math and science credential preparation programs with California's community colleges.

5. FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND INCENTIVES
Objective: To provide financial support for new math and science teachers through the full range of available mechanisms.

6. SUPPORTING AND EVALUATING PROMISING APPROACHES HAVING SCALE-UP POTENTIAL
Objective: To identify cost-effective recruitment and preparation approaches.

7. PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND FEDERAL LABORATORIES
Objective: To institutionalize partnerships that enhance the attractiveness of teaching careers in math and science.