National Ranking of California Teachers

I am a mathematics professor at Cal State Northridge, and regularly teach the math courses taken by prospective K-12 teachers. Your article, “Study Ranks Teachers Near Bottom” (Nov. 21), indicates that the solution to our math education problems needs to be multidimensional. While shrinking class size and increasing pay are important, there are more pressing issues that also require immediate attention.

The expectations for these prospective teachers are too low. For example, the math classes at Northridge that are taken by prospective elementary schoolteachers are taught mostly at elemen- tary school level, with very little taught at higher levels. The same thing is true for the training of prospective 9-12 teachers. The course requirements for this major have been eroded over the years and the secondary teaching majors do not take the same sequence of courses taken by general math majors. The excuse was to water it down to get more people through the program. This began over a decade ago and we now see the consequences. We must immediately lift standards and instruction levels for all prospective teachers.

JERRY ROSEN

Los Angeles

* Ever since Sputnik and the Cold War, mathematics proficiency has been the thermometer of the health and well-being of our public schools. Knowing this, the California State University has the highest standards for mathematics (as well as other disciplines) among credential-awarding institutions in the state, and possibly in the nation.

For this reason, many individuals circumvent the CSU requirements by using a degree-mill school or by receiving an emergency credential from the school district desperate to hire someone, anyone.

Yet state Supt. of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin states that the CSU must change its credentialing programs in response to this situation. This is like blaming the police officer for the fact that there are far too many criminals.

The study cited in the article has named the solution: attracting more outstanding scholars into teaching by offering professional support that reflects the value of the teacher to the health of our society.

MARTIN V. BONSANGUE

GERALD E. GANNON

Professors of Mathematics

Cal State Fullerton

* As a taxpayer (who recently voted yes for a Pasadena school bond issue) and parent of a teenager who attends a private high school, I am disgusted that Carolyn Ellner, head of the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing, believes that “we have to put people (teachers) in the classroom even if they are not prepared.”

Thank you, Ms. Ellner, for making an excellent case for school vouchers and private schools.

ALLEN BRUNE

Pasadena