Building Powerful Foundational-Level Mathematics Programs

Carol Fry Bohlin – California State University, FresnoEric Hsu – San Francisco State University

California Mathematics Council - NorthSaturday, 3 December 2011

Session Overview- Introductions- Conference Archives – Carol Fry Bohlin- Foundational-Level Mathematics Update – Carol- FLM Survey (http://tinyurl.com/SurveyFLM) – Carol

- FLM Survey Results; Discussion – Eric Hsu- Descriptions of Approved FLM Subject Matter Preparation Programs at CSU Campusesa. Ivona Grzegorczyk – CSU, Channel Islands b. Kathy Hann – CSU, East Bayc. Edie Mendez – Sonoma State University

- Short Reportsa. Joanne Rossi Becker – Subject Matter Programb. Edric Cane – “Teaching to Intuition” c. Eric Hsu – Middle School Math Teacher Courses

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Conference Archives

AMTE 2011 Preconference Session: "Pathways to Middle School Mathematics Teaching in California: Concerns and Opportunities"

http://camte.org/AMTE_Pre-Conf_2011.html Sample presentation titles:- “Pathways to Gaining an Initial or Add-on Single Subject Credential in Foundational-Level Mathematics at CSU, Long Beach”

- “What Does the Research Say About Middle School Mathematics Teacher Preparation and Teacher Effectiveness? What Research is Still Needed?”

CMC & AMTE Conference Sessions (6 from 2008-2010)

http://csufresno.edu/teachmathscience/conferences.html

Foundational-Level Mathematics Update

At its 14 April 2011 meeting, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) approved a recommendation introduced by CCTC staff at the March meeting (http://tinyurl.com/3fnxjrb) to revise the preconditions for Foundational-Level Mathematics (FLM) Subject Matter Programs to reflect a reduction from 45 to 32 semester units of coursework. Preconditions define the number of units required in a program and the content areas within the subject which must be included in the program. At least 20 of the 32 units must be mathematics courses, while the balance of the units may be either mathematics or "mathematics-based courses, such as engineering, physics and computer science.”

In presenting this agenda item, CCTC consultant Helen Hawley noted that while preconditions for the FLM credential were originally adopted in 2003, no subject matter preparation programs have been approved by CCTC since that time. The agenda item includes the following rational for requesting the revised FLM preconditions:

1.  The Commission's commitment to offer multiple routes [(i.e., CSET or coursework)] to meet subject matter requirements

2.  The lack of sufficient lower level mathematics coursework available at the postsecondary level

3. The narrower scope of subject matter content required for FLM [than for a full math credential]

4. The NCLB legislation requires 32 semester units as a measure of a highly qualified teacher

5. The shortage of fully-prepared mathematics teachers