[Source: Aaron Mackey, Arizona Daily Star] — University of Arizona officials hope to better prepare future teachers by creating several new degree programs aimed at improving the state’s K-12 education system. The Arizona Board of Regents approved more than a dozen new UA academic programs during a two-day meeting this week, many of which are geared at increasing expertise in K-12 math and science education. Too often, teachers who end up leading science and math classes aren’t properly qualified or lack a background in the fields, officials said.
Additionally, a national study by the National Council on Teacher Quality set to be released next week found that university education programs