MichiganRadio

Changing The Focus of Teacher Education LANSING, MI (Associated Press) -

Six major universities in Michigan will change their teacher certification programs to focus on preparing math and science teachers.

Education leaders say there is a surplus of young educators who want to teach early elementary, English, social studies and the arts. And they say districts with struggling schools need more and better math and science teachers.

. "We have a crisis in this country and we are accepting more and more international students in computer science and engineering, in math and science, because U.S. students are not interested," says Mary Sue Coleman, president of University of Michigan, "Why aren't they interested? We've got to get better teachers interested, so that's what I'm looking for, is the long-term success."

Other universities that join U-of-M include Michigan State, Grand Valley State, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Wayne State.

The universities have agreed to match a grant from the Kellogg Foundation to redesign their education programs. The money will be awarded to exceptional graduate students who want to teach math, science, engineering or technology, in school districts of high need. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press