Training for Teachers

Re “Little Training, Poor Oversight,” May 19: Not all liberal studies programs, which are supposed to prepare elementary teachers for their teacher credential programs and subsequent careers in the classroom, are equal. Each California State University campus develops its own unique and distinct program, and many of these programs are of very high quality. In addition to the general education requirements placed on all students, liberal studies at Cal State Fullerton puts prospective teachers through a demanding 51-unit series of required upper-division subject matter courses in the social sciences, grammar and composition, math, the natural sciences and the arts and humanities.

No liberal studies major at CSUF can escape study of these subjects. We believe that subject matter competency is as essential as teaching ability, and we have a long history of fierce resistance to any watering down of overall academic standards. Our graduates will attest to this.

BRADLEY E. STARR

Associate Professor

Liberal Studies Program

Cal State Fullerton

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* Maybe if the education system had not been cut back so much by people who would rather give tax breaks to the rich, we wouldn’t be blaming the teachers. Now that class size is being brought into the realm of reality, it appears some need to blame someone to hide their efforts to gut and end public education.

It is possible to argue that all the “reasonable” decisions about making cutbacks and increasing class size are reflected in the performance of California students. Blaming teachers and not taking into account other factors is a disservice to all involved, and a cloak for those responsible.

CHARLES K. BETTIGA

Loleta, Calif.

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* It was with great interest and amusement that I read about the great shortage of qualified teachers in California. When I moved here over 10 years ago, having retired after more than 30 years of teaching high school and college English on Long Island, N.Y., I wanted to substitute in the local schools. Although I hold permanent New York state certification for secondary school English and math as well as for supervision, in addition to my California certification as a community college instructor, I was informed that I first had to take the CBEST. After having done that and having submitted all the required documentation, I was told that all I could receive was a one-year temporary certificate, since I might have to take additional course work, although I had completed all the requirements for a PhD in English education, except for the dissertation. At that point, I concluded that California was not really interested in qualified out-of-state teachers.

If the state were to actively recruit those qualified out-of-state teachers--those who have retired as well as those who simply chose to move to a better clime--the teacher shortage would be greatly diminished.

HARRY TEITELBAUM

Laguna Niguel