California primary and secondary schools are desperate for math and science teachers. Classes in those disciplines are often taught by non-credentialed instructors, and students rank at or near the bottom nationally in both subjects. To address the problem, UC Davis has created the Mathematics and Science Teaching program (MAST) to help undergraduate students prepare to become teachers.

MAST, which began last year, gives students like second-year mathematics major Alan Bare access to academic advising services and information about teaching credential programs and financial aid.

Even more importantly, the program offers seminars in which students learn about and visit elementary and junior high school classes. Interim MAST director Arthur Beauchamp hopes this opportunity to work in a classroom will prepare undergraduates for the next step in their education.

"To get into credential programs, you need to have experience in the classroom, and we're providing that experience," he said.

The program was created by the UC Davis School of Education and the College of Letters and Science in response to a compact made between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the University of California last year. Under the "California Teach" initiative, the UC system will work to quadruple by 2010 the number of credentialed math and science teachers it annually graduates in an effort to expand the state's skilled workforce.

For more information, please view the UC Davis 2006 Annual Report.

» Back to Home