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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (right) talks about a new program intended to quadruple the number of

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger came together with the heads of the University of California and the California State universities on Tuesday to announce an education initiative that sets out to jump-start the Golden State’s faltering K-12 math and science programs.

The proposal, dubbed the “California Teach” program, aims to quadruple the state’s annual output of math and science teachers within the next five years by encouraging college-bound students to become teachers with an array of incentives, including an expedited accreditation process, internship opportunities and loan forgiveness.

“We are eager to bring the educational resources of the University of California to help create better futures for our state’s young people and to help preserve California’s position of global economic leadership,” said UC President Robert Dynes in a press release.

The initiative comes at a time when many believe the state’s math and science programs are in desperate need of help.

California eighth graders are currently among the nation’s worst in terms of math competence, while ranking last in science, according to a 2004 report.

“Math and science are tied to California’s economic future. Nothing we can do can be more important than preparing math and science teachers for California students,” said CSU Chancellor Charles Reed.

“We have to produce high-cost jobs, and high-cost jobs are tied to math and science.”

Under the “California Teach” program, students who apply and are accepted to UC teaching programs will be able to receive a teaching credential and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years, a process that takes most full-time students about six years.

After a year of recruitment, the program will begin accepting applications for the 2006-2007 school year. Proponents of the proposal hope the program will encourage a surge in accredited teachers graduating from California schools, from 250 teachers annually to 1,000 by 2010.

The program, once in full swing, will cost the UC about $20 million a year, Dynes said.

Though the financial burden for CSUs has not yet been determined, Reed expects it to cost $20,000 per teacher.

“I regard that as a bargain,” Reed said.

The governor has pledged $1 million to cover the program’s first phase of planning.

Though an amount hasn’t been set on future phases, the latest state budget proposal has allotted for an expansion of an existing loan-forgiveness program, with 350 new awards for those students on the way to becoming math or science teachers.

By increasing the number of accredited math and science teachers, some believe California schools will become more equitable as schools in communities known for their slumping schools improve.

“We have a real problem in California with inequality in educational opportunities, and by extending the pool of highly qualified teachers this will help level the playing field,” Dynes said.

The proposal comes with the support of 18 major corporations, including $4 million of pledged funding over the next five years.

“The issue is one of competitiveness. To remain the world leader in technology with a vibrant and growing economy, we need to substantially upgrade our science and math instruction,” said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett in a press release.

Several corporations have also pledged to provide those students who enroll in the “California Teach” program with summer internships aimed at pushing class curriculum toward real-world applications.

“We’re talking about taking these educators and giving them very profitable jobs over the summer,” said Chuck Smith, president and CEO of SBC West.