Statement by CFT President Mary Bergan on
the Outcome of the Election
Wednesday,
November 9, 2005
I want to thank first the members of
the CFT who contributed time and money
in the midst of their busy lives at home
and work to make this victory possible.
I also want to thank the voters
of California for their support in defeating
Propositions 74, 75, and 76. We're grateful
that the people of California rejected
the governor's misguided attempts to scapegoat
teachers and unions and expand his powers
at the expense of the legislature and
common sense.
Prop. 74 wasn't reform and would have
done nothing to improve conditions for
teaching and learning. Prop. 74 was no
substitute for real education reform,
just as Proposition 76 was no substitute
for real state budget reform.
Nearly all education leaders -- school
boards and school superintendents, policy
experts and newspapers across the state
-- agreed with us that Prop. 74 would
not have improved our teacher corps, or
helped us recruit the 100,000 new teachers
the children of California will need over
the next 10 years.
Now that Prop. 74 is history, we can
look to the future and concentrate on
recruiting and retaining good young teachers.
Prop 74 promised nothing to
address the real problems in California's
schools, or to implement proven reforms
like reducing class sizes, providing students
with updated textbooks and materials, or
giving teachers the support they need to
hone their craft.
Supporting beginning teachers and having
our best teachers review and assist teachers
with difficulties are proven ways to improve
teacher performance. But Governor Schwarzenegger
drastically cut those programs -- 70% over
the past few years.
As he prepares his budget
proposal for the coming year, we call on
the governor to fully fund the Peer Assistance
and Review program, and increase staff development and
other mentoring support for new teachers.
The governor cannot ignore the fact that
California is 42nd in the country in per-pupil
spending. That has a huge impact on all
aspects of student achievement.
We look forward to working
with all education leaders, the legislature
and the governor, to address and solve the
real problems confronting our students and
our schools and colleges.
–Mary Bergan, President, California
Federation of Teachers
