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What
is the state of the UCLA Math Content Program For Teachers, given
budget cuts, etc?
From 2001-2004, MCPT was funded by a grant
from the California Mathematics Professional Development Institute.
Today, the UCLA Mathematics Department and some school districts
are continuing to subsidize the program as much as possible.
As a result, the cost of courses for the school year 2004-05
will be reduced from $700 (actual cost excluding materials) to
$300 (subsidized cost including materials).
Some school districts have agreed to sponsor
courses directly. In these cases, the cost may be reduced even
further or stipends
may be available. Participants should check with their district’s
professional development coordinator to see if additional subsidies
are available.
Continuing to have funding to support participants
is a very high priority in the MCPT office, and we are doing
our best to
find ways to keep the program accessible to everyone.
How
are the UCLA Mathematics Project, LUCIMATH, and MCPT related?
UCLA offers many math programs to teachers
in the Los Angeles area. Programs that originate from the Graduate
School of Education/Center X usually fall under the umbrella
of the UCLA Mathematics Project. Programs that originate from
the Mathematics Department usually fall under the umbrella of
the UCLA Math Content Program for Teachers. Collectively, we
sometimes call these collaborative efforts the "UCLA MATH
PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS."
LUCIMATH is a collaboration between
Local school districts (including LAUSD), UCLA, and the California
County Offices of Education.
All these groups share staff and resources, and we work very
closely to provide cohesive professional development opportunities.
The
name identifying a program generally identifies who is coordinating
the program and who is keeping records for the
program (Mathematics
Project staff, LUCIMATH staff, MCPT staff), and the kind
of credit that can be earned for the program (education credit
or math
credit).
What
is the status of the supplementary authorization?
The Supplementary Authorization (30 quarter
units of college level math) does not meet “NO CHILD LEFT
BEHIND” (NCLB) regulations because it does not require
enough units to be considered “coursework equivalent to
a major.” Nonetheless, it is still a valid certificate
in California for middle school teachers, and the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing will continue to issue Supplementary
Authorizations in the future. A supplementary authorization allows
the holder to teach mathematics through geometry. It is up to
your school district to determine if the Supplementary Authorization
is an adequate certificate for your particular teaching assignment.
In
January 2005, CCTC began issuing a new authorization, called
the “Subject Matter Authorization.” At MCPT, we like
to refer to this one as a “Supplementary Authorization
on Steroids” because it requires coursework equivalent
to an undergraduate major (48 quarter units). This is an NCLB-compliant
authorization, and teachers who are considered “new to
the profession” (earned a credential on or after July 1,
2002) will be required to hold this certificate if they teach
mathematics as a single subject.
For more information about the
Supplementary Authorization and the Subject Matter Authorization,
go to http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/manuals.
Currently MCPT
is the ONLY approved comprehensive Supplementary Authorization
Program in Mathematics in California.
Is
my "supplementary
authorization" still valid?
Supplementary authorizations are a valid form
of certification for classroom assignment in middle school; however,
the requirements to earn them are not rigorous enough to comply
with the subject matter competency requirements of the NO CHILD
LEFT BEHIND Act. Therefore, teachers who hold supplementary authorizations
must take additional steps to meet Federal regulations. The process
for updating certification depends upon when you began your teaching
career, and the date for compliance depends upon your teaching
assignment.
If you began teaching prior to July 1, 2002,
the Supplementary authorization will continue to be a legal basis
for classroom
assignment. However, this is not NCLB compliant. The most painless
process to demonstrate subject matter competency will probably
be through a "HOUSSE" certification, which involves
establishing competency through a points system. If you began
teaching after July 1, 2002, you will need to complete 48-quarter
units of college level mathematics (e.g. the UCLA Supplementary
Authorization in Mathematics plus four courses) or demonstrate
content competency through a rigorous test.
If you work in a Title
1 school and earned your authorization on or after July 1,
2002, you must demonstrate subject matter
competency NOW to become NCLB compliant; all other teachers
must become NCLB compliant by July 1, 2006.
Will
courses I’ve taken towards a supplementary authorization
in MCPT apply towards NCLB compliance and new California certification
requirements?
All courses taken through MCPT may be considered
core coursework in mathematics or standards-based professional
development for NCLB compliance purposes.
What
is a “Subject Matter Authorization”?
In January 2005, the California Commission
on Teacher Credentialing began issuing Subject Matter Authorizations
in Mathematics. This new authorization requires 48 quarter units
(32 semester units) of college level mathematics, including one
course each in algebra, advanced algebra, geometry, probability
and statistics, and development of the real number system. It
allows the holder to teach mathematics through geometry. This
authorization is considered “coursework equivalent to a
major” and is NCLB compliant.
Do
courses I’ve taken in the past count towards earning a
Subject Matter Authorization in mathematics?
All MCPT courses apply towards earning a Subject
Matter Authorization in Mathematics. It is at the discretion
of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to determine
whether other college-level courses taken will also apply.
How
do I get a transcript?
You can order a transcript for MCPT courses
through University Extension. Check the UNEX website for specific
information. http://www.uclaextension.edu/
Note: MCPT courses are offered year round, but grades are recorded
only at the end of each UCLA traditional quarter. To be sure
that your grade is posted, please allow one month after the quarter
ends for processing.
What
are the academic prerequisites for participation in MCPT?
The only prerequisite for Number Power 1,
Number Power 2, and Perspectives on Algebra is an intermediate
algebra course. Prerequisites for other courses are listed .
See Sample
Program Sequences for specific prerequisites for other
courses.
What
is the recommended sequence for taking courses through MCPT?
We recommend that participants who have not
taught middle school or high school mathematics recently begin
with the Number Power sequence (Number Power 1 and Number Power
2). Perspectives on Algebra, which is recommended for anyone
who works with students at a "pre-algebra" level, rounds
out the "first year" courses.
After completing Perspectives
on Algebra, the second year courses (Perspectives on Geometry,
Dealing with Data, and Topics in Algebra
and Geometry) may be completed in any order.
Because of the sequencing
of mathematical content, we require that participants complete
Topics in Algebra and Geometry , Perspectives
on Functions 1, Perspectives on Functions 2, and More Topics
in Algebra as a sequence.
Perspectives on Functions 1 is a prerequisite
for all the “More
Topics” courses.
Participants who are unsure which course
is appropriate for their skill level and interest may call
the office (310-794-6588) or
e-mail Shelley Kriegler (kriegler@ucla.edu) for course counseling
assistance.
I
currently hold a supplementary authorization (not earned through
MCPT) and want to earn a Subject Matter Authorization. What courses
are required?
If the Supplementary Authorization was earned
before January 2005, CCTC will credit the holder with 30 quarter
units of college level mathematics towards a Subject Matter Authorization.
This means that you will need to take about 5 additional courses
to earn the authorization.
To understand the philosophy, expectations
of the program, and breadth of the program, current holders of
a Supplementary Authorization
should complete one “first year course” (Number Power
1, Number Power 2, or Perspectives on Algebra), one “second
year course” (Perspectives on Geometry, Dealing with Data,
or Topics in Algebra and Geometry), and Perspectives on Functions
1 before taking other MCPT courses. Then, two additional courses
of your choice will complete the unit requirements for a Subject
Matter Authorization.
Would
you consider your courses CSET Prep?
The topics of study in MCPT overlap extensively
with those tested on the CSET. However, the program is not designed
as a CSET preparation course.
What
are my payment options?
Payments for courses are due on the first
day of class. Participant may pay by check or cash. We also
recommend that you contact your district to see if reimbursements
are available. Sorry, we cannot accept credit cards at this
time.
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