January 10, 2024
CA Educators Commend Protection of Public Education in Governor’s Proposed Budget
“Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget continues to keep our state’s commitment to equitable access to a quality public education and resources for all California students,” CTA President David B. Goldberg said.
“CTA will continue to work with lawmakers throughout this year’s budget process to ensure the final budget reflects the will of California voters, educators, and parents to prioritize public schools and colleges.”
__________________
Contact JHoward@cta.org
SACRAMENTO—California Teachers Association (CTA) President David B. Goldberg issued the following statement following today’s presentation of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-2025 state budget:
“Governor Newsom’s proposed budget continues to keep our state’s commitment to equitable access to a quality public education and resources for all California students. In the face of a $37.86 billion budget shortfall, the governor’s ongoing commitment to public education means that school districts and community colleges will be able to build on the recent investments in education that have expanded learning opportunities for students.
“We are especially pleased that the governor remains unwavering in his commitment to Community Schools. With the historic $4.1 billion investment maintained, California is on the road to making one in four California schools a Community School. This prioritizes democratic decision making, racial justice, and the needs of students.
“CTA will continue to work with lawmakers throughout this year’s budget process to ensure the final budget reflects the will of California voters, educators, and parents to prioritize public schools and colleges. We will work to ensure there are no layoffs to educators and school employees as we have seen in some past budget deficit years. Layoffs are devastating and chaotic for educators, students, and communities. The budget shortfall this year, and the potential for cuts or freezes to vital services that people depend on, highlight the need for long-term, consistent investment in all public services, including public schools. California is the fifth largest economy in the world, and our students deserve nothing less than an education system that reflects that economic strength.”
###
The 310,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3-million-member National Education Association.
2023 State Budget News
Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal includes historic gains for public education. Learn more here.
Proposition 98: What You Should Know
Passed by California voters in 1988, Proposition 98 sets a minimum funding guarantee for public education. That amount can vary slightly from year to year but is usually around 40 – 41 percent. Learn more via EdSource.
School Finance: Addressing Inequities
A large share of our K-12 students are English learners or from low-income families, costing more to educate. The Local Control Funding Formula provides a base grant for all students and supplemental and concentration grants for these students.
California Budget Project reviews Local Control Funding Formula
Local Control Funding Formula and the State Budget
When Governor Jerry Brown proposed the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in 2013, he said “Equal treatment for children in unequal situations is not justice.” CTA continues to advocate for justice for all students in our budget process and through the local control funding formula. CTA believes:
- State and federal government should provide adequate funding for education in order for school districts to fulfill the goals of providing a quality education and necessary resources to meet the individual needs of all students.
- Students with the greatest needs (English language learners, foster youth and low-income students) require additional resources to achieve the state’s academic standards. That is why when it was first implemented during the 2013-14 school year, the CTA State Council of Education adopted its Budget Principles that define support for the LCFF based on equal funding for students most in need, restoration of the deficit factor, an annual cost-of-living adjustment while the formula is being implemented over a period of several years, and full funding for K-3 Class Size Reduction Program.
- Funding must be based on enrollment and that quantifiable data is consistently applied and publicly available.
CTA continues to advocate for additional, ongoing funding for the LCFF as stated in the most recently-adopted CTA Budget Principles for 2019-20.
Learn more about the Local Control Funding Formula.
