Touro University California has a new teacher preparation program

August 26, 2004

By Audrey Wong

VALLEJO -- Touro University California has a new teacher preparation program in which students can earn credentials for elementary or secondary schools.

The California Commission of Teacher Credentialing granted accreditation to Touro's College of Education Aug. 19. Classes will begin Sept. 13.

The college is for people who don't have any credentials but have bachelor's degrees. Individuals who are teaching on an emergency credential at local schools could use the college, which is located on Mare Island, said Steve Goldstone, dean of the College of Education.

The college offers multi-subject credentials for elementary schools. Students who want to work at high schools can work on single-subject credentials in a variety of disciplines such as math, history and English.

Unlike other schools, Touro will group its students together in "cohorts" so they stay together throughout their coursework and provide support for each other, Goldstone said.

Instead of classes that meet once or twice a week, students attend instructional blocks where they study a subject intensely for two weeks.

"Almost from the first day (students) are in a classroom," Goldstone said.

Students will start by observing how teachers work then progress to taking over an entire classroom as student teachers, he said.

Touro has campuses throughout the nation. The Vallejo college has 650 students and teaches mostly health care professions for those seeking graduate degrees.

Reach Audrey Wong at awong@dailyrepublic.net