Contact: Mike Myslinski at 650-552-5324
Statewide Ad Blitz Warns of Soaring Class Sizes, Toll on Students
BURLINGAME – Taking to the airwaves to sound the alarm about stopping cuts to public education, the California Teachers Association today launched radio ads statewide underscoring the toll on students from cuts. The spots call on parents and community members to join a March 4 "Day of Action" against cuts to schools and other essential state services.
The radio ads reflect the dire concerns witnessed by educators reeling from $17 billion in California education cuts over the last two years, the largest cuts since the Great Depression. Instead of investing in education, the governor is proposing new education cuts of $2.5 billion. The state ranks 46th in education spending, while a new UCLA study shows state cuts led to increased class sizes in 74 percent of elementary schools, and that 70 percent of all schools surveyed reduced or eliminated summer school.
"The cuts to my school are devastating," one teacher says in the ad. "Just the increase in class size. I have 20 students and all of a sudden it's 33."
Another educator warns of the consequences from soaring class sizes. "There's a lot of competition to get into college and with a lot of competition for attention from the teacher, some kids aren't going to make it because they're not getting what they need individually from the teacher."
"We've brought you this message because investing in our public schools and colleges is essential to building a stronger California for all of us," David A. Sanchez, president of the 325,000-member CTA, says in the ad. "On March 4th, join students, educators and parents for a 'Day of Action' to stop these education cuts."
Sanchez urges the public to go to the CTA social networking website -- www.StandUpFor Schools.org -- to learn more about the crisis. The website reveals the groundswell of March 4 protest events against school cuts in cities across the state as educators join working families and other unions taking a stand against state cuts to schools, health care for children, and to vital social services for the poor and elderly.
The 60-second ads are airing through March 4 on 84 radio stations, including Spanish-, Asian- and Native American-language stations. Listen to the ads at www.cta.org or www.StandUpFor Schools.org.
Taking to the airwaves to sound the alarm about stopping cuts to public education, the California Teachers Association today launched radio ads statewide underscoring the toll on students from cuts. The spots call on parents and community members to join a March 4 "Day of Action" against cuts to schools and other essential state services.