Vol. III, No. 15
The evening sessions of the Commission on Excellence in
Teacher Preparation-a partnership of university, education
and community leaders appointed by CSUN President Blenda J.
Wilson-will include presentations on innovative techniques
and discussion of how to best prepare teachers.
CSUN has one of the largest teacher preparation programs in
California and has committed to a university-wide effort to
redesign its training for elementary, secondary and special
education teachers. The commission is planning a yearlong
process culminating with a report to the university's
president.
The first session was held Tuesday, April 27, at the
University Club and included a presentation on "Student
Achievement in America" by Phyllis Hart, executive director
of The Achievement Council in Los Angeles.
The two upcoming two-hour forums are scheduled from 6-8 p.m.
as follows:
CSUN Provost Louanne Kennedy, a commission member, said the
public meetings will seek input from public school teachers
and administrators, parents and community leaders, university
faculty, teachers union and social service agency
representatives and school reform leaders.
"What we want to hear is, 'What do they want us to know about
what needs to change in the public schools for their kids to
be successful,' " said Kennedy, who will become CSUN's
interim president when Wilson steps down in June to head an
education foundation.
The commission, with about 28 members appointed in December
from both on- and off-campus, is being co-chaired by Mary Kay
Tetreault, interim dean of CSUN's College of Education, (above) and
Maria A. Casillas, president of the Los Angeles Annenberg
Metropolitan Project.
The commission and its yearlong review of the university's
teacher preparation programs are an outgrowth of the Cal
State University system's 1997 designation of CSUN as a
charter college for its teacher preparation programs. CSUN is
one of only two universities in the country with that status.
Charter status provides the opportunity for the university to
make rapid changes in its teacher preparation programs in
such areas as organizational structures, curricula, internal
and external collaborations, course and student teaching
scheduling, faculty assignments and budgeting.
Campus officials said the commission's expected work will
include exploring how successful teacher educators have
integrated technologically assisted instruction into their
programs, how future teachers can integrate basic skills
instruction into all content areas, what characteristics
the role of parents in their children's education.
The yearlong review is being called CSUN's Charter
Initiative. The university has contracted with The
Achievement Council, a respected, independent school reform
organization, to lead the design process. Phyllis Hart,
executive director of The Achievement Council, is a member of
the commission. Also, Barbara Bush of The Achievement Council
is serving as the project coordinator for the university's
Charter Initiative process.
-John Chandler
Town Hall Meetings Scheduled on Teacher Preparation
University/Community Commission to Explore Changes
in CSUN
Teacher Credential Programs
A commission created by Cal State Northridge-charged with
producing significant and sustainable improvement in teacher
education-is holding town hall meetings to seek input from
educators, parents and others in the San Fernando Valley.
@csun.edu
May 3, 1999
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