California schools in crisis, Unions lead the fight back

[Omaha Steve]

http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/california-schools-in-crisis-unions-lead-the-fight-back/

Posted on July 23, 2011 by dcampbell1

by Duane Campbell

The financial crisis is hitting most of the nation’s public schools including those in most states- particularly California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Florida, and others. In California as of 2011, 30,000 teaches have already been laid off as federal stimulus money runs out, and another 15,000 face possible lay offs depending upon what happens in the state budget conflict. More than 4.1 Billion $ has been cut from California school budgets in the last three years as a consequence of the national economic crisis and there will be at least a $2.1B additional cut under the best case scenario.

State revenues for schools are in crisis around the nation. School spending is expected to bottom out over the next two years as states and districts run out of $100 billion in federal stimulus aid for education passed when Democrats controlled the Congress. The stimulus money saved about 368,000 school-related jobs during the 2009-2010 school year, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Most school funding comes from the state and local levels. Only about 11 % come from federal funds

At both the k-12 and the university level, California education is in a financial crisis. On April 13, the California Faculty Association and student groups held concurrent demonstrations on all of the 23 campuses of the California State University campuses where university fees have increased by over 250% since 2002. Students organized by Students for Quality Education held sit ins and occupied university offices in Sacrament, Fullerton and on other campuses.

The Democratic majority in the California legislature tried to limit additional cuts to K-12 education by passing an extension of current temporary tax increases- but the Republican minority in the legislature blocks the attempt to put such an extension on the ballot for Californians to vote on.

At least half of California’s schools are in a mess: California’s students rank 48th out of the states in 4th grade reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 47th in math, and 43rd in science. California ranks 48th in 8th grade reading on the NAEP, 45th in math, and 42nd in science. California now ranks 43rd. in per pupil funding, almost $2,400 per student below the national average.

Over half of the schools in the state are in crisis, particularly the schools serving Black, Latino and economically disadvantaged students. After 20 years of politician driven “school reform,” and ten years of No Child Left Behind, there has been little significant progress toward improving student achievement nor reducing drop out rates.

FULL story at link.

[mike_c]

1. we've taken a $650 million budget reduction in the CSU this year alone...

...following YEARS of previous cuts. Although still one of the best higher ed deals in the nation, the cost of tuition has gone up in leaps and bounds, while the cuts from state support continue to undermine the system. We are witnessing he privatization of one of the greatest public universities in the world.

My union-- the California Faculty Assn-- is in tough contract negotiations with the CSU and the chancellor's office. We're entering our second year without a negotiated contract, and the prospects for agreement look bleak. Union leadership anticipates a strike, but the membership is barely hanging on to sanity as our workloads explode and our budgets collapse. I cannot describe how difficult it's becoming to teach our classes and do our research in this environment.

[patrice]

2. Everyone: Please try to find one of the national rallies for Public Education this weekend.

Or simply do some special work of your own design this weekend for Public Education.

:hi: