State of California’s Public Schools Report underscores educators commitment to students and public education at a time when public school funding is under attack 

CALIFORNIA – For the second year in a row, the California Teachers Association (CTA), in partnership with GBAO Strategies, surveyed over 2,000 TK–12 public school teachers across the state about the state of public schools for California teachers, students, and communities.

As the Trump administration and its Republican-led Congress continue attempts to dismantle public education and withhold vital resources, California teachers have increasing concerns about student safety, access to resources, and how to ensure fully staffed and stable classrooms long term. Despite these and other mounting challenges, the vast majority surveyed are deeply committed to their students and public education. 

“Daily, California teachers are on the front lines of trying to protect their students from the brazen attacks on public education by the Trump administration and the persistent budget shortfalls in their district. For these teachers, it’s not a question of commitment, skill or resilience; it’s a matter of chronically underfunded schools, and attacks on our communities,” said CTA President David Goldberg. “Teachers should not have to fight for the basic safety and supplies they need to do their jobs.” 

California teachers have growing concerns about working and learning conditions inside their schools. 

• 88 percent of educators surveyed say that insufficient funding for California schools is a serious issue, an eight point increase from 2025.
• 80 percent believe that California schools don’t have enough resources to meet student needs, a three point increase from 2025.
• 84 percent report insufficient resources, staff, and/or training to support special education students. 
• 78 percent highlight overcrowding in classrooms as another serious issue.
• 73 percent report a serious educator shortage at their schools. 
• More than half note the increase of immigration raids as a serious problem in their school communities. On average, absences in three Central Valley counties increased by 22 percent following raids in early 2025. 

In addition, teachers are increasingly worried about affordability for themselves and the families of their students:  

• 86 percent indicated that the cost of everyday goods and services has increased more than their salary. 
• 83 percent of educators are concerned about affording the basic cost of living expenses, like gas, groceries and electric bills.
• 82 percent indicate housing affordability is a problem for educators at their school.
• More than 75 percent say they have students who lack stable housing.
• 75 percent say out-of-pocket healthcare costs are too high which is five percent higher than in 2025. 
• 71 percent teach students who lack reliable access to meals and 45 percent have purchased food for students who experience hunger or are food insecure. 

Not only are educators struggling to make ends meet, they are avoiding critical home and car repairs, skipping significant family events or vacations, reducing or delaying retirement benefit contributions and tightening their family budgets. 

“There’s a long-held but outdated belief that California public school teachers have generous health care benefits, but the reality is that some teachers pay as much as $1,500 or more per month in out-of-pocket costs while districts regularly try to cut benefits,” said Goldberg. “California, as the fourth largest economy in the world, still doesn’t even have paid pregnancy leave for teachers, forcing them to pay out-of-pocket for substitute teachers during their absence. It’s no secret that there is a teacher shortage, and compounding issues like the lack of paid pregnancy leave and current affordability crises directly impact people’s ability to stay in the profession.”

Between anti-education policies, budget cuts, and the escalating attacks on our school communities, 77,000 educators in 32 California school districts serving 1 Million Students throughout Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, Anaheim, Sacramento, San Jose, and two dozen other school districts  formed the We Can’t Wait coordinated bargaining campaign to align their contract expiration dates and come together around a set of shared demands. 

The state of the schools survey revealed a clear willingness to strike over important issues. 

• 83 percent are willing to strike to improve educator pay, which is essential for stable, thriving schools.
• 72 percent are willing to strike to lower healthcare costs. 
• Nearly 70% are willing to strike for improved staffing levels for special education, student support staff like counselors, and nurses, and to enable smaller class sizes to ensure students get the classroom support they deserve. 
• 62 percent would strike to stop layoffs and school closures which impact local access to quality education.

“California’s economic abundance should not be leaving teachers and students behind; as the fourth largest economy in the world it’s time we make our values clear,” said Goldberg. “CTA is committed to working collaboratively to find sustainable revenue raising solutions that both stabilize and safeguard funding for public education; it’s the only way to ensure California has an equitable education system that serves everyone.”  

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The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.