On October 5, California State University, Sacramento President Robert S. Nelsen addressed the Sacramento County School Boards Association at it biannual meeting, hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE).
Dr. Nelsen told the gathering of school board members and leaders that changes underway at CSUS are designed to improve graduation rates and better prepare students for careers in their local communities. He said that adding more courses and hiring more instructors to meet the increasing demand for classes will lead to higher graduation rates. "Not every student will graduate in four years, but every student deserves the chance," Dr. Nelsen said. He also told the gathering that increasing the percentage of local residents with college degrees will attract more business to the Sacramento region.
The university president discussed plans to develop a four-year teaching preparation program at CSUS that includes a credential, as well as the development of a five-year teaching program that includes a master's degree. "We have a serious teaching shortage here. We are not producing enough teachers," he said.
The Sacramento County School Boards Association is comprised of trustees representing local school districts in Sacramento County. The association meets twice a year to discuss topics of interest to the local education community.