May 6, 2009

A program to boost the number of K-12 mathematics and science teachers in the central San Joaquin Valley earned a $50,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to recruit California State University, Fresno students majoring in math and science into teaching.

Wal-Mart senior representative for public affairs Aaron Rios will present the check to Andrew Rogerson, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, and university President John D. Welty at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. The presentation will be in the courtyard of Fresno State’s Science II building.

Through funds provided by Wal-Mart and a four-year $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the Science and Mathematics Education Center at Fresno State will work to prepare math and science instructors for K-12 schools.

Outreach strategies include peer recruitment followed by support and retention of students once they’re at Fresno State. The center also supports credentialed teachers in their first three years in the classroom with additional resources to minimize burn out or attrition from the field.

The program’s goal is to double the number of science and mathematics teachers credentialed at Fresno State and to reduce attrition through students leaving the program or leaving their teaching careers in the first three years.