California must devote more resources to helping students in the state's neediest schools. That was the message CTA President Wayne Johnson, Vice President Barbara E. Kerr and Secretary-Treasurer David A. Sanchez drove home during a news conference in the state Capitol. They were flanked by key lawmakers, including Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, Senate Education Chair John Vasconcellos, Latino Legislative Caucus Chair-elect Marco Firebaugh, Sen. Deborah Ortiz and Assembly Member Manny Diaz.
Fresh from a statewide bus tour designed to make the case, the officers underscored CTA's commitment to securing more assistance for schools that are ranked within the bottom 20 percent on the state's Academic Performance Index (API).
"If we really want to have education reform, we must address the neediest kids. These schools must be the highest priority," said Johnson. "We are here to draw attention to what we think is the most crucial education issue."
Johnson noted that CTA's analysis of the API results has revealed some troubling statistics (see page 6). A full 90 percent of the students in the schools scoring within the bottom 20 percent on the API are poor; 80 percent are English language learners; and 60 percent are housed in the oldest school facilities in the state. These schools of greatest need also have the highest percentage of non-credentialed teachers.
Statistics for schools scoring in the top decile reveal the reverse, Johnson emphasized, with low poverty levels among students, full complements of credentialed teachers, and new school facilities.
"CTA is committed to making sure these students get the same quality education as the rest of the students in our society," said Johnson.
CTA representatives noted that Gov. Davis' proposed budget has funds for unpopular programs - including the extension of the school year at middle schools - that could be redirected to meet the needs of these high priority schools.
"We plan to continue talking to legislators and hopefully influence the budgetary process," Johnson said. He conceded that early conversations with the governor's representatives have left teachers with the understanding that the governor is not willing to focus resources specifically on the lowest 20 percent of schools.
"We have no alternative but to fight for these children," he emphasized. "Otherwise we doom them to lives of poverty."
On behalf of his legislative team, Assembly Speaker Hertzberg expressed his commitment to securing resources for the schools of greatest need: "As we grapple with the energy crisis, we have to figure a way [to get new funding to these schools]... . I will do everything I can do make sure the dollars are there."
CTA Vice President Kerr spelled out for reporters the major elements of CTA's legislative agenda for these schools. At the top of the list is ensuring that every student has a qualified teacher who is well compensated. Other priorities include reducing class size and modernizing facilities so that every child learns in a safe, clean and modern environment. "We shouldn't have a classroom in a closet next to a washroom," she stated.
She also pointed to increased parental involvement as a key element of CTA's legislative program for these schools.
Secretary-Treasurer Sanchez noted that CTA has been taking to the airwaves in a radio advertising campaign designed to help educate the public about these unmet needs. The ads in English and Spanish air during drive time in major media markets.
CTA is working closely with the Legislature on a host of proposals to support schools with the greatest needs. Measures affecting these schools have been introduced by lawmakers including Sen. Vasconcellos; Assembly Education Chair Virginia Strom-Martin; Sen. Deborah Ortiz and Assembly Members Firebaugh and Manny Diaz on behalf of the Latino Legislative Caucus; and Sen. Ed Vincent on behalf of CTA.
The news conference came on the same day that a special CTA interim legislative panel convened in Sacramento at the CTA Governmental Relations Office to review the progress of legislation targeting the neediest schools.
Len Feldman
