Re: Calif. Physics Certification (YUK)

[Tim Burgess <tburgess@jaguar1.usouthal.edu>]

> CSU.  In response to recent State mandates, in order to receive subject matter
> certification (the responsibility of the Physics Department) we are now
> requiring at least a BA in physics plus 3 semesters of chemistry (including

There is very weak student demand for HS Physics in this area. Principals 
who would hire "Physics Certified" faculty are faced with having penalties with
such faulty teaching "out of field" most of the day. It is hard
to find certified Physics people & there is weak demand for these people.

The recent article on the subject in "The Physics Teacher" (last month?) 
indicated that taking HS Physics made little difference in college level 
performance in introductory Physics compared to those who had not had Physics
(in HS). The experience and training of the HS teacher did not appear to 
have much impact (if I remember correctly).

Tim



Physics Truck Driver
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Timothy C. Burgess
Science in Motion
Physics Department-ILB 35
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama 36688
(334)-460-6224 ext 5890

tburgess@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
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