California’s Teachers Remain Committed to Providing
Quality Public Education for All Students
CTA President Barbara E. Kerr Issued the Following Statement on the 2004 Election
November 3, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“We are disappointed that John Kerry was not elected president. The teachers of California felt and continue to believe that he was the only candidate committed to providing the resources our state’s 6.2 million students need to give them the schools they deserve. While President Bush lost California by more than 1 million votes, the nation’s voters have spoken.
“As the growing chorus of bipartisan criticism shows, serious problems remain with the president’s No Child Left Behind Act. CTA is committed to working with all parties to ensure that this law does not hurt our goal of providing the best education for all students. Rather than wasting federal resources on paperwork, bureaucracy and more testing, students need smaller class sizes, a quality teacher in every classroom and up-to-date textbooks and materials.
“We are pleased that a number of candidates who support public education, teachers and students were elected to the state Assembly and Senate. We are also encouraged by the passage of several local school bonds and parcel taxes to support public schools. The election of school board candidates who will make funding our schools a top priority is good progress.
“The passage of Proposition 63 will bring much-needed funding to mental health programs for California children and adults. With proper care, children suffering from mental illness can succeed in school. However, we are disappointed with the defeat of Proposition 72, which would have required larger businesses to pay for basic health care coverage for employees – and resulted in about 220,000 additional children being insured. CTA will continue to fight for long-term solutions to our health care problems so that morel children have access to basic health care and can come to school ready to learn.”