Quick Study -- April 28, 2008
CTA representatives are working to defeat an opposed measure that would allow funds to be transferred from categorical programs to be used for pay differentials for teachers in designated disciplines at specific locations.
SB 1660, by Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), would create a two-tier pay structure that would undermine morale and undercut the effectiveness of all teachers at a particular site. The measure is currently pending on the Senate floor.
The measure seeks to address the shortage of math and science teachers in Decile 1, 2, and 3 schools, but CTA advocates note that the bill does not deal with the specific source of this problem: too few teacher-candidates in these disciplines in the “credentialing pipeline.” The measure also does not focus on the larger problem: the chronic underfunding of public education. As a result of this underfunding, beginning teacher salaries lag significantly behind the starting salaries of many competing professions.
CTA believes that every student should have a high quality education taught by a highly qualified teacher with appropriate training and credentialing. The Association believes that improving the teaching and learning conditions at these schools would go much further in helping attract and keep the teachers that these lower-decile schools need.
CTA has long sought to address other inequities that are harming schools that deal with high percentages of low-income students and other students struggling to meet educational challenges. CTA won a lawsuit settlement that is channeling millions of dollars into lower-decile schools via the Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA).