New Open Math Courses Provide CSET Preparation, Principles and Pedagogy to Help TIRVINE, Calif. (March 11, 2009) – The mounting severity of California’s critical shortage of qualified math teachers has been the impetus for the development of a free CSET preparation program at the University of California, Irvine. The program addresses the urgent need to help new and incumbent teachers prepare for and pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), a test which measures the subject matter competency of teachers seeking credentials to teach mathematics in California schools. Made available as part of the University’s OpenCourseWare initiative – which allows self-learners to view and utilize materials and resources, through the Web, free of charge – the new courses will serve as part of the solution to what many are calling a national crisis.
The Problem:
California’s shortage of fully prepared math teachers currently undermines the quality of the state’s education system — a problem that is anticipated to worsen. According to projections published by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office, the teacher shortage will be compounded throughout the next decade, with over 100,000 teachers retiring — more than one third of the teacher workforce.
