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CTA Director Larry Allen addresses support services professionals on the steps of the Capitol. |
Student support services professionals went to Sacramento April 27 to deliver a message that further losses in the funding for student support programs and services can no longer be tolerated.
They said California needs to get serious about preparing all students to be productive citizens. Student support programs and services are critical elements in closing the achievement gap and strengthening opportunities for academic success. Student support systems address the barriers to learning and promote healthy personal and social development.
California ranks 51st in the nation in the number of librarians and in the number of counselors. The national counselor-to-student ratio is 1:485, whereas in California the ratio is 1:960. The national librarian-to-student ratio is 1:870, whereas in California the ratio is 1:4,430.
"It's time for the madness to stop," said CTA Board member Larry Allen in an address delivered on the Capitol steps. "Our students deserve better. Our schools deserve better. Our communities deserve better. California deserves better."
He told them CTA is supporting an education budget proposal that increases school funding by $2 billion this year. It includes cost-of-living and student growth increases for all programs - including those that serve student support programs. It also includes a plan to make sure the state repays any cuts to education. But there are some lawmakers who are threatening even more cuts to schools, said Allen. "Tell them that a layoff notice sent to one counselor, one nurse, one librarian or one teacher is one layoff notice too many. Tell them our students deserve better."