UCLA Day in Washington, D.C. brings members of the UCLA community to the Nation's Capital to advocate on behalf of UCLA and higher education. Events include a special issues briefing, meetings with Members of Congress and their staff, and a reception for UCLA alumni legislators, area alumni, and friends.

A reception for legislators, Hill staff, alumni and friends of UCLA is planned for March 29 in Rayburn 2203 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

The Issue:

The next generation of engineers and scientists of tomorrow need well-trained K-12 math and science teachers. Research has shown that teachers are the single most important factor in raising student achievement. If, as a nation, we are going to achieve the priorities set forth by President Bush’s “American Competitiveness Initiative” then the federal government, industry and higher education must join forces to ensure sufficient and sustained funding to train and retain a highly qualified and competent pool of math and science teachers.

UCLA is at the forefront of this endeavor by actively recruiting undergraduates with math and science degrees into its Teacher Education Program. Through Center X, the umbrella organization for teacher education and professional development at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, future teachers receive the support and mentoring they need to teach in urban schools. About 50% of new teachers leave teaching after five years. A longitudinal study of Center X graduates found that after five years, about 75% of its alumnae were still teaching, with another 11 percent remaining in the field of education in another capacity. UCLA’s Teacher Education Program is a model that could be replicated nationally to achieve our goals.