CFT and Affiliates In the News: 5/30

Lawmakers move to take more control over UC system
By Dan Abendschein, Staff Writer Posted: 05/30/2009 07:06:15 AM PDT
Get the scoop on schools, teachers and students. Visit our Education page for more articles and photos. Two San Gabriel Valley lawmakers are backing a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would strip University of California trustees of much of their policymaking power..."They've refused to allow employees to participate in overseeing their own pension fund," said Ben Harder of the University Council of the American Federation of Teachers.

Education news: 5/30-6/1

California School Funding: "Worse Than a Retreat; It is a Massacre"
Paula Campbell, President, California School Boards Association, Nevada City Unified School Board Member
In the California Progress Report
As public schools around the country prepare for a "Race to the Top," California's schools are sinking to the bottom in funding. Nationally, $5 billion in the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund has been set aside for "Race to the Top" competitive grants.

Chino Valley board has challenges galore
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin - ‎May 30, 2009‎
Some teachers, who weren't among the 170 teachers who won't be coming back next year because of layoffs, say they are still uncertain about where they will ...

Schools facing
San Gabriel Valley Tribune - ‎47 minutes ago‎
By Amanda Baumfeld Staff Writer After layoffs of more than 50 teachers at one district and school closures all over the Valley, education experts predict ...

Education: Less financial aid, fewer teachers
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎May 30, 2009‎
At the K-12 level, the proposal could lead to unexpected teacher layoffs, shorten the school year and boost class sizes, to list just a few possible ...

Digital textbooks coming to state high schools -- As society continues to move toward a digital era, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to expand California's education system by being the first state in the nation to offer free digital textbooks for high school students. Canan Tasci in the San Bernardino Sun -- 6/1/09

46 States, D.C. Plan to Draft Common Education Standards -- Forty-six states and the District of Columbia today will announce an effort to craft a single vision for what children should learn each year from kindergarten through high school graduation, an unprecedented step toward a uniform definition of success in American schools. Maria Glod in the Washington Post -- 6/1/09

Supreme Court to Address Meeting the Needs of Special-Education Students -- In a case with potential financial repercussions for school districts and families alike, the United States Supreme Court will soon decide when public schools must reimburse parents of special-education students for private-school tuition. TAMAR LEWIN in the New York Times -- 5/31/09

Spitting in the eye of mainstream education -- Three no-frills charter schools in Oakland mock liberal orthodoxy, teach strictly to the test -- and produce some of the state's top scores. Mitchell Landsberg in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/31/09

Lawmakers move to take more control over UC system -- Two San Gabriel Valley lawmakers are backing a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would strip University of California trustees of much of their policymaking power. Dan Abendschein in the San Gabriel Tribune -- 5/31/09

UC Merced sees fall class up 30% -- The University of California is expected to release systemwide information on "statements of intent to register" this week, but UC Merced Chancellor Steve Kang revealed in an e-mail message to students earlier this month that the campus had seen a 30% increase in expected enrollment. Danielle Gaines in the Fresno Bee -- 5/31/09

Lessons of life and death in West Contra Costa schools -- There he sat smearing bacon McGriddle grease on the seats of her old burgundy Cadillac as they rolled up Cutting Boulevard in Richmond. Karl Fischer and Kimberly S. Wetzel in the Oakland Tribune -- 5/31/09

California professional schools face shrinking state subsidies -- For more than a century, the University of California turned out doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs from some of the most prestigious - and affordable - professional schools in the country. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/31/09

Summer school latest victim of state budget cuts? -- Worsening state budget cuts may have prompted some districts to eliminate summer school, but across the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas, educators say they should be able to run one full session - for now, at least. Tracy Garcia in the San Gabriel Tribune -- 5/31/09

California's Students Suffer Death by a Billion Cuts -- As Tally of Total Cuts to Education Reaches $17.4 Billion
All Reports by Robin Swanson-May 30, 2009-in the California Majority Report
As cuts to California's students continue to be rolled out a dizzying pace, some may have trouble keeping up with the staggering total of cuts to education, which has now reached an unimaginable $17.4 billion.

State News: 5/30-6/1

Sac Bee Capitol Alert-June 1, 2009
AM Alert: Cold cash

The Budget Conference Committee has a busy week ahead.
Members are scheduled to hear public comment today on education, higher education, child care and development. Meetings continue all week.
Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to address lawmakers at a joint session about -- drumroll, please -- the state budget with the $24.3 billion hole in it.
State Controller John Chiang pleaded with Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders last Friday to fix the budget deficit "no later than June 15th."
Chiang's letter to them projected that starting July 29, the state won't have the cash needed to meet all of its payment obligations.
If the budget isn't truly balanced, Chiang warned, California will be hard pressed to borrow money to cover its cash flow problem.

Assembly Budget Chair Noreen Evans Creates Budget Blog
May 30, 2009 in the California Majority Report
Closing California's budget gap will be a tremendous task. The challenge reflects the historic drop in our economy - and we have less time and fewer options than ever before. With so much on the line for our state, I wanted to create a place where I could give daily updates
on what's happening in our budget process. My Budget Blog is a place
where you can find summaries of Conference Committee hearings, up-to-date hearing schedules, and links to different government entities' websites for their official data and analyses.
Please visit the blog at
http://californiabudget.blogspot.com/

Governor framing agenda on taxes, claims votes don't want them -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's first move after the May 19 special election was to immediately tamp down any thoughts of raising more taxes, claiming voters had sent a "clear message" against taxes in rejecting five of six ballot measures. Steven Harmon in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/31/09

Political Memo: Deep Cuts Threaten to Reshape California -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger did not get the election results he sought. Now he seems determined to show California voters the consequences. JENNIFER STEINHAUER in the New York Times -- 5/31/09

Education news: 5/29/09

High Quality Preschool Must Remain A Priority in California
California Progress Report - ‎5 minutes ago‎
Additionally, RAND recommends that California invest in a well-designed, coordinated plan to prepare teachers and move toward a more efficient and ...
By Catherine Atkin, President, Preschool California, in the California Progress Report

California Must Develop Local Funding Options for Schools
by David Walrath
Small School Districts Association, in the California Progress Report

COD faces steep cuts to student services next year
The Desert Sun - 11 hr, 36 mins ago
As California's budget woes deepen, College of the Desert faces millions of dollars in steep cuts next year to services like academic counseling, learning assistance

California could be the first state to cut student aid while hiking fees -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to dismantle the Cal Grant program would make California the first state in the recession-battered nation to eliminate student financial aid while raising college tuition, experts said this we

L.A. Unified School District cancels bulk of summer school programs -- The Los Angeles Unified School District announced Thursday it is canceling the bulk of its summer school programs, the latest in a statewide wave of cutbacks expected to leave hundreds of thousands of students struggling for classes. Seema Mehta and Jason Song in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/29/09

L.A. colleges cancel July summer session
KABC Los Angeles - 20 hr, 50 mins ago
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. (KABC) - One school system is trying to stay a step ahead of California's budget problems. The Los Angeles Community College District has canceled
http://www.congoo.com/logarticleclicks.aspx?url=http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6836227&rss=rss-kabc-article-6836227

State budget cuts put Merced College in dire situation
Merced Sun-Star - 22 hr, 31 mins ago
course offerings. The problem is exacerbated by a state funding structure that gives more money to schools with enrollment over 10,000 - a milestone the college passed

Failed ballot measure leaves Cupertino schools with fewer funding ...
San Jose Mercury News - ‎19 hours ago‎
Despite those possible funding cuts, Cupertino is better prepared than other schools in California. On May 5, local voters passed a parcel tax in CUSD that ...

Sunnyvale School District looks at possible parcel tax for funding
San Jose Mercury News - ‎17 hours ago‎
... case scenarios following the defeat of last week's state ballot measures 1A and B, which would have provided California schools with more funding. ...

State News: 5/29/09

California cities, counties vow to fight state over budget tactics
Sacramento Bee - 15 hr, 11 mins ago
approval before seeking bankruptcy protections. The League of California Cities, the California School Boards Association and the California State Association of

California Federation of Teachers - In the News: 5/28/09

Lessons from the election
Chico News & Review - ‎9 hours ago‎
... groups such as the SEIU-the state's largest labor union-and the California Federation of Teachers, which both opposed Proposition 1A's cap on spending. ...

State Senate bill would decrease UC autonomy -- After the board of regents approves $400,000 salaries for two chancellors while also raising student fees, a coalition of state senators seeks to give Legislature control over university policies...... of the University of California at Davis, University Professional and Technical Employees and the University Council of the American Federation of Teachers. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/28/09

Education news: 5/28/09

No summer vacation for school woes
Contra Costa Times - ‎1 hour ago‎
By RICH GREENE-DN Staff Writer A tumultuous school year of cuts and layoffs is expected to continue throughout the summer as school officials prepare to ...

SCHOOLS PUSH FORWARD IN THE ELECTION AFTERMATH
Santa Ynez Valley Journal - ‎13 minutes ago‎
Several months ago, staff was given notice of potential layoffs after school officials hashed out the district's $12.2 million dollar budget after a series ...

CVUSD rescinds about 30 percent of its layoffs
Thousand Oaks Acorn - ‎13 hours ago‎
In March, 110 layoff notices were distributed to teachers and counselors. The CVUSD school board voted to rescind 39 and confirm 71 of the pink slips at a ... Parents, Teachers and Students

Voice Support for Adult Education ...
KCBA Fox 35 - 5 hr, 54 mins ago
for Adult Education to help balance the K-12 budget. This sparked nearly 100 English as a second language students to attend tonight's meeting. Dozens of parents

Bitter news follows big honor for educator
Santa Maria Times - 6 hr, 20 mins ago
soon teachers can be rehired, she said. Siegal will next be reviewed for consideration as California Teacher of the Year in the fall. The California winner will proceed

Donations save elementary school from closure -- Thanks to a number of fund raisers and last minute donors, the Old River Elementary school is being allowed to stay open for the 2009-10 school year. Jonathan Lockett in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/28/09

Teachers start hunger strike to protest layoffs -- At least nine teachers and two activists take part in the strike, demanding that the district put forth a new budget that doesn't include layoffs or class-size increases. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/28/09

Proposition 13 and the Roots of California's Budgetary Problems
Washington Post - 13 hr, 30 mins ago
940,000 poor children off its health-care rolls and lay off tens of thousands of teachers. Because California is so much larger than any other state, and its unemployment

Rally for ‘Social Security fairness for teachers' -- Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland; Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley; and Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, are expected to join President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's niece, union officials and others Saturday for a rally "for Social Security fairness for teachers." Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 5/28/09

Need-based student aid in jeopardy
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎
They provide up to the full fees at public universities - $7788 at University of California campuses and $3354 at California State University schools. ...

Judge issues ruling to protect UCLA researchers -- A judge has issued a permanent injunction to protect UCLA researchers from threats and harassment by activists opposed to the use of animals in research. AP -- 5/28/09

Legislators offer plans to oversee UC system -- Angry at the University of California for a lot of reasons, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers has introduced measures to strip the prestigious 10-campus system of its historic constitutional autonomy. James P. Sweeney in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/28/09

UC Would No Longer Be ‘Above The Law' Under Proposed Constitutional Change
5/28/09 in the California Progress Report

Governor's plan could force some out of college -- A proposed end to California's main financial-aid program for college students would increase student debt and prevent some from pursuing higher education, experts and college officials said Wednesday. Matt Krupnick in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/28/09

State News: 5/28/09

Looking for answers amid the state's growing spending -- For months, we have heard story after story about the state's fiscal woes. Revenues have plummeted so far that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced a budget last week with cuts that advocates have called "beyond draconian." Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 5/28/09

Sac Bee Capitol Alert  May 28, 2009
Effort launched for 'split roll' property tax
With California facing fiscal calamity, the assessor for one of the state's largest cities has launched a long-term, grass-roots campaign to increase state revenue by altering Proposition 13 property tax restrictions.

The Nation: California Budget Blues
NPR - ‎4 hours ago‎
... who teaches in one of those schools, told me that I might have been wrong and that the convoluted paragraphs of the all too typically obtuse California ...

Education news: 5/27/09

State lawmakers seek to rein in UC system -- State lawmakers expect to introduce legislation today for a constitutional amendment that would strip the University of California of its immunity from regulation by the state Legislature. Jim Doyle in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/27/09

UC Santa Cruz students launch hunger strike over budget cuts -- More than 100 students and staff from UC Santa Cruz gathered at the foot of campus Tuesday to launch a hunger strike aimed at urging administrators to reverse course on budget cuts that opponents say disproportionately affect students of color. J.M. Brown in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/27/09

State Superintendent Address Cuts Local Schools Are Facing
KEYT - ‎16 hours ago‎
San Luis Obispo, CA-- California schools face a grim future, this according to state and local leaders. However there is some positive news for at least one ...

CalSTRS talking rate hikes -- CalSTRS, hit with significant investment losses in the past year, is preparing to ask the Legislature for billions of dollars in higher pension contributions from the state, school districts and teachers. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/27/09

State News: 5/27/09

Governor's plan cuts programs from health coverage to welfare -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday provided lawmakers with a detailed list of cuts to close the state's $24.3 billion deficit, proposing that California eliminate welfare for 500,000 families and terminate health coverage for nearly 1 million children. Samantha Young AP -- 5/27/09

CFT In the News: 5/23-26

Agendas springing from budget squeeze
San Bernardino County Sun - 17 hr, 40 mins ago
A poll conducted for the California Faculty Association, the California Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

More fiscal minefields lurk
By Steve Wiegand --Sunday, May. 24, 2009
There's a scene in the classic 1974 comedy film "Young Frankenstein" in which Dr. Frankenstein and his assistant Igor are stealing a corpse, and Igor observes that the situation could be worse...."It could be raining," he says, whereupon it begins to pour.
...California's elected leaders must be feeling a lot like Igor... But the California Federation of Teachers refused to go along, and filed a lawsuit on May 7. The suit is seeking the $9.3 billion covered by 1B, plus another $2.6 billion for the coming fiscal year.

Slicing up California's budget pie
Leaders in the fields of education, health and human services, and corrections explain how they would make necessary, but painful, cuts.
By Cara Mia DiMassa--May 24, 2009--LA Times
Marty Hittleman-Teachers union president
Before thinking about making cuts to the budget, the governor should ensure that state Republicans agree to new revenue sources, either taxes or fees -- "not student fees, but fees on other things," Hittleman says.

California voters speak
Sacramento Bee - ‎May 24, 2009‎
In this election, several additional groups, notably SEIU, CFT and CFA, have demonstrated that they, too, can produce a stalemate, but like the Republicans, ...

Late Add to In the News:

Déficit fiscal divide a maestros
La Opinión - ‎May 18, 2009‎
De cualquier forma habrá recortes", dijo Fred Glass portavoz de la federación de maestros. "No estamos reclamando dinero nuevo, estamos exigiendo el que se ...

Education News: 5/26

Blowing the Whistle On Those Thwarting Efforts to Protect Whistle-Blowers
In early May, a bill written by Senator Leland Yee to protect UC employees who are retaliated against because they have reported wrongdoing. The bill was written in response to a California Supreme Court decision from July 2008 that ruled that "University of California (UC) employees who are retaliated against because they report wrongdoing cannot sue for damages under the state's Whistleblower Protection Act, so long as the University itself reviews the complaints in a timely fashion."by David M. Greenwald-Editor-California Progress Report

Strapped schools are cutting down to the bone -- The kids at Stonebrae Elementary School in Hayward handed in their musical instruments on Friday - and may never get them back. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/26/09

Will schools cut workers' pay, or their jobs? -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposals to shorten the school year and increase class sizes will force California teacher unions to make the same tough decisions that other employee groups have faced in recent months. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/26/09

‘Bad' Orange County student wins $100,000 science fellowship -- A young woman who reportedly was told by a high school math teacher that she'd have trouble getting into college to study biology because "you're just not a good student" has been awarded a $101,500 federal fellowship to conduct research and pursue a doctorate at UC Davis. Gary Robbins in the Orange County Register -- 5/26/09

Kids with attention problems still struggling in high school, UCD-Michigan State study finds -- Six-year-olds who don't pay attention well in class apparently struggle throughout their school years, and reach age 17 with lower math and reading scores than their peers, a new study shows. Carrie Peyton Dahlberg in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/26/09

State News: 5/23-26

CFT In the News: 5/22/09

New poll by unions say voters want more taxes, not cuts
John Wildermuth - San Francisco Chronicle - ‎6 hours ago‎
... solutions and provide people with what they need in government services," added Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers.

Gov: No gimmicks to fix budget deficit
abc7news.com - ‎12 hours ago‎
... this convoluted solution, which quite frankly, most people didn't understand anyway," said Marty Hittleman from the California Federation of Teachers. ...

Education news: 5/22/09

U.S. Education secretary in California on first official visit
Los Angeles Times - ‎3 hours ago‎
... will shape the Obama administration's education policy and its proposal to rework the No Child Left Behind Act. The visit - Duncan's first to California ...

FUSD could face even more cuts as state propositions fail
Fontana Herald News - In 1 hr, 18 mins
FUSD. By ALEJANDRO CANO Published: Thursday, May 21, 2009 1:28 PM CDT The Fontana Unified School District Board of Education could soon face the decision to eliminate

Assembly passes bill that would require Oakland's charter schools to help pay down district's state debt -- An Assembly bill that would require independently run charter schools in Oakland to help pay down the school district's state debt cleared the Assembly today with a 48-31 vote. Katy Murphy in the Oakland Tribune -- 5/22/09

Schools improve in latest ranking
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎11 hours ago‎
(05-21) 14:09 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Amid the grim cloud of bad budget news for public education came the encouraging message Thursday that California schools ... See how your school is doing by searching the database below.

Charters Seek to Run Their Own Ship on Special Education -- Ten local charter schools want to turn to an office more than 500 miles away in El Dorado County to help them educate children with disabilities using the schools' own staff and strategies, instead of paying San Diego Unified to help meet those needs. EMILY ALPERT Voiceofsandiego.org -- 5/22/09

California Academics Inject Substance Into EFCA Debate, by Andrea Buffa, a Communications and Policy Specialist at the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education - in the California Progress Report

State News: 5/22/09

Special Election II Flops: Battle for the Budget Begins Anew, By Willie L. Pelote, Sr., Assistant Director ASFCME in the California Progress Report

Washington declines to help California, at least for now -- Administration officials say the state can do more to solve the budget crisis on its own, they don't have the authority to help -- and if they did, it would set a dangerous precedent. Peter Nicholas and Richard Simon in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/22/09

A divided congressional delegation may hinder help for California -- Democrats are pushing for federal loan guarantees while Republicans are opposed, leaving Congress' largest delegation with little power to persuade the White House to come to the state's rescue. Richard Simon in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/22/09

CFT/Locals In the News: 5/21/09

Voters reject budget propositions
Register Pajaronian - ‎10 hours ago‎
... said Francisco Rodriguez, president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, which recommended voting no on all of the propositions except 1B, which would have set aside ... Rodriguez called on lawmakers to "devise a budget that does not rely on cuts alone."

Deficit will darken Schwarzenegger's final months
The Associated Press - ‎18 hours ago‎
... as bipartisan peacemaker, said Kenneth Burt, political director of the California Federation of Teachers, which opposed parts of the ballot package. ...

Education news: 5/21/09

Colleges, universities face big cuts after propositions fail -- More than a quarter of a million students will be shut out of California's community colleges because of state budget cuts, college leaders said Wednesday. Matt Krupnick in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/21/09

Schools prepare for devastating losses of funding -- With California in ever-more-dire financial straits, many districts are facing further layoffs, school closures, bigger classes and possibly shortening the school year. Some may even face insolvency. Seema Mehta and Jason Song in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/21/09

Gun scare at UCI serves as test for text-alert system -- Safety officials now think the man reported to be carrying a rifle on campus may have been a student with a paintball gun. About 20,000 subscribers received text alerts of the potential danger. Tony Barboza and Paloma Esquivel in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/21/09

California's charter schools get mixed scores in new study -- USC researchers cite lapses in financial reporting, but say it appears that many are using public funds wisely, and that academic scores are fairly similar to those of public schools. Mitchell Landsberg in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/21/09

State News: 5/21/09

Skelton: Distrust of lawmakers came through loud and clear -- The Senate and Assembly should take their cue and pass a balanced budget by July 1. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/21/09

Hiltzik: Schwarzenegger missed his golden opportunity to give Californians the truth -- He promised to make it work by cutting 'waste, fraud and abuse.' It was never that easy. The real solutions are obvious, though. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/21/09

California's Woes Fall to Steinberg -- The biggest player in California state politics over the next few years may not be a certain actor-turned-governor, but a policy wonk named Darrell Steinberg. STU WOO and JIM CARLTON in the Wall Street Journal -- 5/20/09

California, a Broke State, Reels as Voters Rebuff Leaders -- Direct democracy has once again upended California - enough so that the state may finally consider another way by overhauling its Constitution for the first time in 130 years. JENNIFER STEINHAUER in the New York Times -- 5/20/09

What's Next: What Does the Election Mean? ... The Bay Area Council thinks it has the answer. With a coalition of partners, they held a press conference in Sacramento this morning to request that the legislature place two measures on the November 2010 ballot to create a voter-driven Constitutional Convention. The first measure amends the constitution to allow the voters to directly call a Constitutional Convention, and the second is the actual call for a limited convention dealing with the budget, the election system, the state-local relationship and government oversight. If the legislature does not place the measures on the ballot the group vows to collect signatures and use the initiative process to force a convention. Randy Bayne is Chair of the Amador County Democratic Party - in the California Progress Report

CFT/locals In the News on the Election: 5/20/09

Two-thirds vote must go
San Francisco Chronicle - 6 hr, 33 mins ago
it is the right thing to do. Marty Hittelman is the president of the California Federation of Teachers.

Low Voter Turnout Rebukes Costly Special Election, Says to ...
California Progress Report - ‎3 hours ago‎
Marty Hittelman, President, California Federation of Teachers added, "Now that these flawed and unworkable reform proposals have been voted down, ...

Budget Math Flunks
Press-Enterprise - ‎10 hours ago‎
... our problems and put California back on track," said Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers, a union that opposed Prop. 1A. ...

Some educators applaud election results, while others fear ...
San Jose Mercury News - ‎8 hours ago‎
The California Teachers Association recommended voting "yes" on all measures, while the California Federation of Teachers opposed all measures except ...
Francisco Rodriguez, head of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers...

Schwarzenegger's Third Budget Reform Effort Fails
FOXNews - ‎1 hour ago‎
"He's obviously a lame duck but he still has a role to play in bringing together the legislative leaders," said Kenneth Burt, political director of the California Federation of Teachers, which opposed Proposition 1A. ...

Voters Say 'No' to Prop 1D & 1E
YubaNet - ‎2 hours ago‎
... and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which also made in-kind donations of services to the campaign, and $50000 from the California Federation of Teachers. ...

Education news: 5/20/09

On the Failure of Prop 1A and the Future of Higher Education by Lillian Taiz
President - California Faculty Association - in the California Progress Report

Special Election Defeat Means More Hardship For California Students, Jack O'Connell, Supt. Of Public Instruction in the California Progress Report

Entire Groveland, California, school board recalled -- Voters in a small rural school district near Yosemite National Park voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to oust all five board members, according to unofficial returns, the first time in memory that an entire school board has been unseated. Maria L. La Ganga in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/20/09

Lopez: Roosevelt High teachers give the Education Mayor a failing grade -- They see no improvement since Villaraigosa took control of the school along with nine other campuses he promised to rescue. 'We basically switched one bureaucracy for another one,' one teacher says. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/20/09

State News: 5/20/09

California voters kill budget measures -- California voters delivered a potent defeat Tuesday to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Capitol lawmakers, dismissing a slate of ballot measures championed as the best way to address the state's latest deficit crisis. Eric Bailey in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/20/09

News analysis: What next? -- The expected defeat of five measures on a special election ballot Tuesday symbolizes more than just the next phase in California's titanic budget struggles. It arguably marks the end of an era in California politics - the Schwarzenegger era. Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 5/20/09

CFT in the News: 5/19/09

Educators split on propositions that would create school funding
Santa Cruz Sentinel and San Jose Mercury - 8 hr, 12 mins ago
board. Two of the state's largest education unions - the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers - have taken opposite views on

Voters to decide on governor's budget rescue
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎9 hours ago‎
Groups including the California Federation of Teachers, the League of Women Voters of California, the California Republican Party and the state council of ...

5/18/09:

No, no, no, no, maybe, yes
Long Beach Press-Telegram - ‎22 hours ago‎
It got the support of one, the California Teachers Union, but two others, the California Federation of Teachers and the California Faculty Association, ...

Education news: 5/19/09

Potshots at UC salaries miss the point
Sacramento Bee - ‎1 hour ago‎
... has responded to executive pay issues and has set UC on a path of transparency, moderation and accountability. He has frozen senior managers' salaries, ...

Pool of teachers being depleted -- Even with thousands of teachers statewide facing layoffs, recruitment experts are warning of an impending teacher shortage. Chris Moran in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/19/09

English-only testing appeal back in court -- Lawyers returned to court Monday to try to compel California to test English learner students in their native language, rather than in English. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/19/09

State News: 5/19/09

Lawmakers gear up for new fight over budget deficit
Sacramento Bee - ‎9 hours ago‎
Even as California voters decide the fate today of measures to help ease the state's fiscal mess, lawmakers are bracing for a new fight over billions in red ink that threatens public services. ...Schwarzenegger also would lay off 5000 state workers and borrow $7.5 billion from cash-strapped local governments and a rocky investment market. ..

CFT/Locals/Affiliates in the news: 5/16-18

CA Teachers Union Sues Governor For $12 Billion
Public News Service - 4 hr, 25 mins ago
With education funding once again on the budget chopping block, a California teachers' union isnt waiting for the outcome of Tuesdays special election. The (CFT) has filed a lawsuit against Governor Schwarzenegger and other state officials to try to get back education funds they say are owed to schools, and also to clarify future funding.While Proposition 1B would provide schools with most of the money the union is seeking, CFT president Marty Hittelman says the courts are a better option.

Governor Stumps for Ballot
ABC Los Angeles - 9 hr, 22 mins ago
Those opposed include the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Federation of Teachers, California Faculty Association, California League of

Groups raise $31.5 million for Calif. ballot fight
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎19 hours ago‎
"It's the most lopsided campaign we have been part of in many years," said Ken Burt, political director for the California Federation of Teachers, ...

Reiner on 1D and 1E: Don't hurt kids
Sacramento Bee - ‎9 hours ago‎
The smaller California Federation of Teachers and the California Nurses Association are opposed. Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the ...

Fate of services in voters hands (12)
Glendale News Press - May 17 2009
through raised taxes and fees, despite its aim to create a rainy-day fund. The California Federation of Teachers also opposes the measure, arguing that cutting out

Star Editorial Board positions on ballot propositions
Ventura County Star - ‎May 17, 2009‎
Who opposes: California Republican Party, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, ...
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/may/17/star-editorial-board-positions-on-ballot/

Budget struggle hits ballot box
San Gabriel Valley Tribune - ‎May 16, 2009‎
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Federation of Teachers, California Faculty Association, California League of Women Voters, Health Access ...

Budget struggle hits ballot box
Whittier Daily News - May 17 2009
propositions. It worked in the case of the California Teachers Association, but not the California Federation of Teachers and the California Faculty Association.
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/columnists/ci_12385467

Star Editorial Board positions on ballot propositions
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Proposition 1A - Changes California's budget process... Who opposes: California Republican Party, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Federation of Teachers

Colleges bracing for results of vote
MARCEL HONORÉ • THE DESERT SUN • MAY 16, 2009
The University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Graduate Center anticipates a 15 percent budget cut if voters don't approve Propositions 1A through 1E, campus Executive Director Carolyn Stark said... Prominent education groups are split on whether the measures would benefit schools in the long run. It speaks to the complexity - and the confusion - inherent to the ballot measures, said Fred Glass, communications director for the California Federation of Teachers, which opposes all the measures except 1B.

Mediator enters talks
The Signal - May 16 2009
and respect for our part-time faculty,' said Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers. About 35 community college districts across the

Late news: 5/15/09:

School budgets hinge on measures
Burbank Leader - ‎May 15, 2009‎
... said Fred Glass, spokesman for the California Federation of Teachers. The California Teachers Assn. is supporting the propositions, along with more than ...
http://www.burbankleader.com/articles/2009/05/15/education/blr-propositions25.txt

Fate of services in voters' hands
California's budget plan requires the approval of Propositions 1A through 1F.
By Zain Shauk
Published: Last Updated Friday, May 15, 2009 11:01 PM PDT
,,, Meanwhile, the California Federation of Teachers has opposed all but one of the measures, arguing that lawmakers should be forced to return to their desks and formulate a better plan.

Letter to the Editor: Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 5/15/09

What do they care?

EDITOR: Let's take a less-than-comprehensive look at Bush Administration policies. It had a divisive and counter-productive foreign policy, disastrous emergency management policy, ignorant science policy, destructive trade policy, irresponsible economic policy, complacent health policy, incoherent immigration policy, inequitable tax policy and a non-existent energy policy.

The Washington Post ("No time to back off No Child," Tuesday) as well as others assert that, the above being said, that the Bush education policy, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), is just fine. A few tweaks here and there, a tad more funding, and pedagogic nirvana. Right.

Using test data from the only real national test, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), demonstrates that scores increased around four points per year in the decade before NCLB and have slowed to one point a year since its implementation in 2002. It can be said that NCLB is another failed policy that has inhibited student achievement.

The Post notes that scores have remained "flat" for 17-year-olds. Kids this old know that NAEP scores are "meaningful" only to adults. They don't affect grades, graduation or college admission. What do they care?

GARY RAVANI
President, Early Childhood/K-12 Council,
California Federation of Teachers-Santa Rosa

Santa Cruz trustees approve final teacher layoffs
"We are willing to make concessions now in light of severe state budget cuts," said Barry Kirschen, president of the Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers. "But we want to know those dollars we fought hard for through the years will be returned when times are better."

Education news: 5/16-18

High School Dropout Rates: An Urgent Need For Improvement
California Progress Report - ‎4 hours ago‎
By Loni Hancock

Eliminating summer classes growing trend among cash-strapped ...
Ventura County Star - ‎14 hours ago‎
Research shows students lose academic ground over summer break, said Carol Bartell, dean of California Lutheran University's School of Education in Thousand ...

Decrying Double Digit Student Fee Hikes by Lillian Taiz President,California Faculty Association And Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico California Progress Report

Layoff numbers -- School boards from Rialto to Redlands to San Jacinto approved supplemental early retirement plans in recent months, some geared solely towards teachers and others extended to nonteaching employees as well. MELANIE C. JOHNSON in the Riverside Press -- 5/18/09

Birmingham High could signal a new direction at L.A. Unified -- Reform efforts underway at the district's largest campus could lead to multiple small schools operating under one roof. One thing is certain: the status quo is not an option. Mitchell Landsberg in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/18/09

High school counselors brace for big caseloads -- Three years after state lawmakers agreed to spend $200 million to hire 3,000 high school counselors, cash-strapped districts across California are slashing the number of overworked advisers at their schools. Bruce Lieberman in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/18/09

LAUSD pro says who will stay or go
Los Angeles Daily News - 1 hr, 14 mins ago
not just on instruction, but on everyday tasks like attendance and payroll as more senior office staff struggle to learn new computer systems. 'So many of the people

State News: 5/16-18

Skelton: Lawmakers are toxic, but voters helped get themselves into this -- Governor and legislators have poisoned Tuesday's ballot measures, but citizens share the blame. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/18/09

Checkbooks come out for and against ballot measures -- The battle over six budget-related measures on Tuesday's special election ballot has generated more than $31.5 million in campaign spending, split the state's labor community and created strange bedfellows on both sides. Steve Lawrence AP -- 5/18/09

Breaking News:

L.A. teachers arrested while protesting possible layoffs
» BLOG: South Bay education news
By Connie Llanos, Staff Writer
05/15/2009
About 40 teachers were arrested Friday morning in front of Los Angeles Unified headquarters after blocking the street in a staged act of civil disobedience to protest thousands of expected layoffs.
Sitting in a circle in the middle of Beaudry Avenue, the teachers were taken one by one by LAPD officers and charged with a misdemeanor offense. Union leader AJ Duffy was the first to be taken in handcuffs from the crowd, which chanted and clapped while the arrests were made.

Arrests as LA teachers protest layoffs
The Associated Press
05/15/2009
LOS ANGELES-Nearly four dozen people have been arrested in Los Angeles for blocking traffic in a protest of layoffs of teachers and other employees of the nation's second-largest school district.
A Los Angeles police spokesman says 46 protesters have been arrested in Friday's demonstration outside school district headquarters. Teacher's union president A.J. Duffy was among those arrested.

Judge prohibits L.A. teachers strike
He grants a restraining order against the walkout planned for Friday, saying it defies the United Teachers union contract.
By Howard Blume
May 13, 2009
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Tuesday prohibited the city's teachers union from staging a one-day strike this week to protest layoffs and other budget-cutting proposals. The United Teachers Los Angeles contract explicitly bars a strike, said Judge James C. Chalfant, who also cited concerns about student health, safety and welfare in granting the restraining order against Friday's planned walkout.

Mediator enters talks
Signal - ‎3 hours ago‎
"We want decent salary, seniority and respect for our part-time faculty," said Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers. ...

Critical responses from Democratic Leaders and Progressive Groups to Governor's Proposals For Dealing with Deficit California Progress Report 5/15/09
Dennis Smith Secretary-Treasurer of the California Federation of Teachers: "The Governor's budget is proposing to cut billions and billions more from the same time not even raising the idea that oil companies could be taxed at the pump or at the wellhead. Cigarette companies, the sales tax could be broadened. He's talking about all of these issues that are off the table just because he says so. Yet at the same time, he'll cut five billion more for public schools which are already at 48th in the nation and then touting prop 1A as the answer when in fact prop 1A does not to solve this issue."

Teachers, Cops: Governor's Cuts Will Cripple State Schools, Prisons
News10.net - ‎11 hours ago‎
... bigger class sizes at all levels, according to Dennis Smith, a professor at Sacramento City College and member of the California Federation of Teachers. ...

State budget hinges on May 19 propositions
Camarillo Acorn - ‎15 hours ago‎
The California Faculty Association and the California Federation of Teachers oppose it. Gambling with the future Prop. 1C asks voters to authorize $5 ... California Unions Battle Over Ballot Proposals

Labor Notes - ‎3 hours ago‎
But a handful of CTA locals disagree with their parent union, joining the state's other teachers union, the California Federation of Teachers (AFT)-and SEIU ...

Lynn Vakay: Coming together to stop the props
Signal - ‎9 hours ago‎
I was surprised when the California Nurses Association and the California Federation of Teachers voted to oppose 1A. I was surprised when fellow Santa ...

Correction for Thursday, May 14
Staff Report
Posted: 05/13/2009 07:46:05 PM PDT
A story Wednesday incorrectly stated the position of the California Federation of Teachers. The federation is opposed to all of the proposed measures on the May 19 state ballot except for 1B, which it supports. The federation also supports suing the state in order to reclaim funds it believes the state owes education under Proposition 98.

SF: PROPOSITION 1A OPPONENTS GATHER OUTSIDE OF STATE BUILDING
CBS 5 - ‎May 13, 2009‎
"Proposition 1A would put the power in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's hands and put communities across California at risk for years to come," said Lupe ... City College of San Francisco English professor Ed Murray said the college's budget has been mediocre for years and with less resources, caused by a diversion of revenue to reserve funds, the state would drop from 49th to last in the per-pupil spending percentile.

Education news: 5/15/09

Calif. Schools Will Suffer Under Revised Budget
KCBS - ‎4 hours ago‎
That rankled teachers who said California schools have already been cut to the bone and they can't survive more cuts. "We're about a billion below where we ...

First lady's speech helps put Merced on the map -- First lady Michelle Obama's commencement speech at UC Merced on Saturday is the biggest thing to happen in this sleepy Central Valley city since, well, ever. Kevin Fagan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/15/09

Some L.A. teachers may defy restraining order -- Although a judge has barred a strike, they plan to engage in civil disobedience at the district headquarters to protest potential budget cuts. Jason Song in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/15/09

Santa Ana College students mobilize to save summer school -- They are seeking donations and selling hot dogs to restore at least some of the more than 100 courses that have been cut because of a shrinking budget. So far enough has been raised to keep one class. Tony Barboza in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/15/09

South Bay schools reap federal stimulus funds - and face losing more in state funds -- Just in time, Uncle Sam has opened a fat wallet to financially flailing school districts. Sharon Noguchi in the San Jose Mercury -- 5/15/09

State/Props. News: 5/15/09

And Now, We Wait -- The question now: will the hole be almost twice as deep come Wednesday, after the voters weigh in? For that answer, we'll have to wait. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 5/15/09

$4.3 million raised to fight California ballot measures -- Millions of dollars have been raised to fight the linchpin of ballot measures in Tuesday's election, a package that was carefully crafted to discourage big-bucks opposition. Jim Sanders in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/15/09
http://www.sacbee.com/politics/story/1863512.html?mi_rss=State%2520Politics

CFT/Affiliates In the News: 5/11 - 5/14/09

Teachers' unions are split on Proposition 1B education funding measure
89.3 KPCC - ‎May 13, 2009‎
Small: Murakami represents the California Federation of Teachers - the other teachers union in California, and the one that opposes Proposition 1B. ...

No on Prop 1A campaign hosts conference
Golden Gate [X]Press - ‎May 13, 2009‎
... it even more difficult for people to enroll in community and state colleges," said Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers. ...

Santa Cruz school trustees weigh final teacher cuts
SANTA CRUZ -- Dozens of angry teachers, counselors and librarians filled the county Office of Education's boardroom Wednesday as trustees for Santa Cruz City Schools weighed issuing final layoff notices for 44 employees to grapple with deep state cuts... Barry Kirschen, who heads the union, told the board teachers wanted "simple assurances that go along with a pay cut -- nothing more."

Officials warn against voting down props
abc7.com - ‎May 12, 2009‎
"It's a disaster for schools, it's a disaster for all public services," said Marty Hittleman, president, California Federation of Teachers. ...

PVUSD negotiations stuck on salary
By DONNA JONES
Posted: 05/11/2009 01:30:56 AM PDT ...According to Francisco Rodriguez, president of the ,Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers the district wants teachers to agree to take five days off without pay, to pick up a 12 percent increase in benefit costs and either take a 2 percent pay cut or freeze step and column raises, annual salary hikes for longevity and additional education credits.

Education news: 5/14/09

Lodi's largest education union is busy stumping for special election ...
Lodi News-Sentinel - 4 hr, 27 mins ago
since even the state's largest unions ?? the California Federation of Teachers and the California Teachers Association ?? could not come to a unanimous decision on

Budget Numbers Still Unknown, Teacher Layoffs Become final--sort of
www.OC180NEWS.com - ‎12 hours ago‎
Only 31 Orange County schools received this award and only the top 10% of California schools even meet the minimum testing results to qualify. ...

Val Verde school board approves 120 layoffs
Riverside Press Enterprise - 4 hr, 58 mins ago
reply Wednesday to requests to clarify the difference. Each year, school districts in California must give teachers preliminary notice by March 15 if they may lose

249 valley teachers find themselves jobless
The Desert Sun - ‎1 hour ago‎
"We're a big family out here," said Rick Reyes, a third-grade teacher at Saul Martinez Elementary, where 27 of the 48 teachers received potential layoff ...

More than 100 teachers to get layoff notices
By RYAN OLSON - Staff Writer 5/14/09
CHICO -- More than 100 teachers in the Chico Unified School District will receive layoff notices by the end of the week.
The district board voted 3-0 during a special meeting Wednesday to approve sending the notices. Trustees Elizabeth Griffin and Andrea Lerner Thompson were absent.

CSU trustees approve 10% hike in student fees -- Officials of the 23-campus university system vote 17-2 in favor of the increase, which will tack an extra $306 to $378 on students' annual bills, to offset state budget cuts. Gale Holland in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/14/09

Community college students need more aid, researchers say -- Many community-college students are not receiving the financial aid they need to complete school, a Berkeley institute has found. Matt Krupnick in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/14/09

State News: 5/14/09

If state cuts too deep, it loses stimulus funds -- California officials who face a staggering new budget deficit that could reach $21.3 billion are up against an unexpected problem - the potential loss of billions of dollars in federal economic stimulus money if education and health care spending is cut too deeply. Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/14/09

CFT In the News: 5/13/09

University community split on propositions... Marty Hittelman with the California Federation of Teachers, a group that represents K-12 teachers, is concerned that Prop. 1A puts an artificial cap on spending and would actually mean more cuts for students. The Collegian
http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2009/05/13/university-community-split-on-propositions/

Sunnyvale church is looking to sell longtime preschool
Sunnyvale Sun - 6 hr, 39 mins ago
education and preschool programs,' said Tanya Arnaiz, a representative from the California Federation of Teachers who is working with the school staff. 'Having a
http://www.mercurynews.com/community/ci_12356658?source=rss

Education news: 5/13/09

Today's teachers' rallies for May 19 measures won't include UTLA
Los Angeles Times - ‎17 minutes ago‎
The federation also has filed suit for a legal determination on how much money schools are owed under California law. The union contends that even Prop 1B, ...

Diverse Coalition Says NO to Prop. 1A, 1D
New America Media - 2 hr, 54 mins ago
when people are down and need help most. ' Supporters of Prop. 1A, which include the California Teachers Association and the state chapter of the American Association

Daniel Weintraub: Tear down, rebuild, says foe of ballot props - Sacramento Bee 5/13/09

SF Chron Letters: 5/13/09
What message will voters send on taxes? PHYLLIS LUCKMAN Oakland
GOP's opportunity CRAIG GRIFFIN Berkeley

Prop. 1B would give schools $9.3 billion
Eureka Times-Standard - 2 hr, 58 mins ago
groups, which are pouring money into the campaigns for and against Proposition 1A. The California Teachers Association, one of the most powerful players in Sacramento,

School officials back swifter firings
Los Angeles Times - In 38 mins
of articles detailing the lengthy and arduous process of dismissing tenured teachers and other educators in California, The Times found that firing a permanent teacher

Majority Leader Sponsors Legislation to Alleviate Student Fee Increases
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2009/05/cde_report_show.html

California's high school dropout rate at 20%
San Francisco Chronicle -

‎ L.A. high school dropout rate climbs to 34.9% Los Angeles Times

CDE Report Shows Scant Movement on California Drop Out Rates

Solutions sought to fill elementary school district's budget shortfall
San Mateo Daily Journal - ‎10 hours ago‎
California's Proposition 98 requires a certain percentage of the state's budget to go toward education. The number is calculated at the beginning of the ...

State News: 5/13/09

California's budget propositions: a no-win vote
If they reject the budget propositions, Californians will hurt themselves most.
Tim Rutten  May 13, 2009 Union Tribune

California Federation of Teachers: In the News: 5/12/09

First anti-Prop. 1A ad airs, which is bad news for governor 5/12/09 SF Gate
The first TV attack on Prop. 1A is airing across California today, but it's Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his allies who need to find the cash to fill the airwaves in this final week before the May 19 special election... The new ad features Dennis Smith, an accounting professor from Sacramento City College, warning that "the politicians behind our budget mess wrote Prop. 1A" and that it contains "a loophole that lets them spend billions on pork barrel projects."

Ad blitz may be state propositions' only hope
John Wildermuth Tuesday, May 12, 2009 SF Gate
As the first TV attack on Proposition 1A aired across California on Monday, it's Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his allies in support of the measure who need to find the cash to fill the airwaves in the week before next Tuesday's special election.... Opponents had about $1.8 million, but groups such as the SEIU state council, the California Federation of Teachers and the California Faculty Association have collected another $1.8 million since then for the final TV push.

Propositions 1D and 1E
Ventura County Star - ‎11 hours ago‎
OPPONENTS: California Federation of Teachers; California Nurses Association; Children's Defense Fund; First 5 Association of California; Prevent Child Abuse ...

Education news: 5/12/09

Millions headed to county schools, but spending decisions on hold
San Jose Mercury News - ‎9 hours ago‎
... even as he said the money would keep educators employed and further California's academic goals. "While this is a brief respite for the education ...

Moreno Valley school board to consider finalizing 200 teacher layoffs
Press-Enterprise - ‎12 hours ago‎
Like many California school districts, Moreno Valley is facing a revenue shortfall because of state cutbacks, declining enrollment and the economic downturn ...

Mt. Diablo school board to vote on final layoffs Tuesday
San Jose Mercury News - ‎18 hours ago‎
"We just know it's not a panacea for the long-term funding gap in California public education." Trustees on Tuesday will consider sending final layoff ...

School chiefs wait in limbo until election
AndersonValleyPost.com - ‎1 hour ago‎
The Cascade, Anderson and Cottonwood school districts have all issued layoff notices and it is too soon to know how many of those layoffs will eventually be ...

Senate approves software as an alternative to textbooks -- California teenagers may be spared having to lug back-breaking loads of textbooks to school under a proposal that would make it easier for campuses to use electronic instructional material. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/12/09

State News: 5/12/09

Budget Deficit Now Over $15 Billion Massive Cuts Seem Certain To Come 5/12 Marty Omoto in California Progress Report

New Faces at the California Democratic Party
All Reports by Steven Maviglio May 11, 2009 @ 7:10 PM
New CDP chairman John Burton hasn't taken long to bring new blood to the Party offices.

Shawnda Westly is the new executive director, replacing Kathy Bowler. Westly has been working on the Burton campaign for months. Before a short stint with Mayor Gavin Newsom's gubernatorial campaign, she was a Sacramento-based independent consultant. Her clients included Sacramento Fire Local 522 and others, as she made the transition after years as political director for the California Professional Firefighters.

Also on board are Mollie Culver as political director. Culver is a skilled operative who recently ran Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell's campaigns. Kate Folmar is the political communications coordinator, a new position. Folmar comes from Sec. of State Bowen's shop. Previously, she was a political reporter at the San Jose Mercury News.

CFT In the News: 5/9-11

Early retirement offered to non-teachers in LA schools
Los Angeles Times - ‎52 minutes ago‎
In another budget-related development, Local 99 has joined with the California Federation of Teachers to file suit over possible future reductions to school ...

INSIDER: Budget measure dividing teachers
The Desert Sun - ‎5/11/09
But the “no” group, which includes the California Federation of Teachers and SEIU California State Council, is combating a loud outcry by the proposition's ...

Experts: State faces painful fixes for budget problems
Visalia Times-Delta - ‎9 hours ago‎
The "majority-vote" tax increase idea is legally novel and certain to face lawsuit, while the California Federation of Teachers already has gone to court to ...

Ballot measures
Los Angeles Times - ‎May 10, 2009‎
Opponents, such as the California Federation of Teachers, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and other Republican lawmakers, assert that the measure ...

Unions sue governor over schools funding
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎May 9, 2009‎
... said Marty Hittleman, president of the California Federation of Teachers, representing about 100000 educators in schools and community colleges. ...

Teachers federation sues governor for school funds
Sacramento Bee - ‎May 9, 2009‎
The California Federation of Teachers has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state officials to recoup $12 billion in education ...

California's education community split on Prop. 1B
San Jose Mercury News - ‎May 9, 2009‎
The California Federation of Teachers, the smaller of the two statewide teachers' unions, is opposed to Proposition 1A because it fears it gives Gov. ...
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_12335986

Ballot all about state's budget
San Bernardino Sun - ‎May 9, 2009‎
Marty Hittelman is the president of the California Federation of Teachers, and a professor of mathematics at Los Angeles Valley College.

Discussing ballot propositions
Register Pajaronian - ‎May 8, 2009‎
Groups opposing the measures include the California School Boards Association, the California Federation of Teachers, the Service Employees International ...

Education news:  5/11/09


Benicia layoffs finalized
Vallejo Times-Herald - ‎May 10, 2009‎
A new tentative agreement with the California School Employees Association, which capped monthly medical benefits at $450 also passed.

Regents Raise Student Fees by 9.3 Percent
The UCSD Guardian Online - ‎46 minutes ago‎
The approved fee increase amounts to an additional $662 per student every year, bringing the total cost of tuition to an estimated $7788 for California ...

Education community split over budget propositions
La Voz Weekly - ‎2 hours ago‎
The California education community is divided over two measures in the upcoming statewide election, one of which would allocate $93 billion to K-12 schools ...

Parents are urged to demand more from L.A. schools -- Green Dot charter operator Steve Barr wants to organize grass-roots power to improve public education. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/11/09

Walters: Fiscal crunch provides opening to overhaul California school finance -- Few Californians have ever heard of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, also called FCMAT, much less know what it does. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/11/09

CFT In the News: Late adds 5/7/09

May 7, 2009
California Federation of Teachers sues state for $12 billion
The California Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit today against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state officials to recoup $12 billion in education funds it says the state owes schools. Sac Bee web blog

Pro-education rally planned by L.A. community groups
11:45 AM | May 7, 2009
A coalition of Los Angeles community groups has announced a rally this weekend to protest school layoffs and to call for budget reforms that would better fund ....That split is evident in UTLA itself, which has members affiliated with the California Teachers Assn. and the California Federation of Teachers. CTA endorses the May 19 measures. CFT opposes all but Proposition 1B, which could provide a boost for education funding in the 2011-2012 school year...

Education news:  5/8/09

Prop 1A opponents rally on quad of Riverside Community College
Valley News - ‎3 hours ago‎
... the League of Women Voters; the California Alliance for Retired Americans and the California Federation of County, State & Municipal Employees. ...

Prop 1B Would Deliver Billions To Schools
KSBW - ‎22 hours ago‎
Proposition 1B, if passed, would provide California schools with billions, but with some strings attached. After years of education funding cuts, ...

Prop. 1B would give schools $9.3 billion San Jose Mercury News

Teacher layoffs debated in San Leandro
Daily Review Online - ‎16 hours ago‎
In March, trustees agreed to lay off 34.5 teaching and counseling employees, including 26 teachers of kindergarten through third grade. ...
LAist

LAUSD Teacher Layoffs Still Uncertain
Palisadian-Post - ‎May 7, 2009‎
The California Education Code mandates that employees who are subject to layoff must be released by seniority order. Therefore, senior employees retain the ...

Layoffs, budget cuts on Alvord school board's agenda
Press-Enterprise - ‎11 hours ago‎
Teacher Shawn O'Rafferty, who is on the list, said some names should be dropped from the layoff list under board consideration. ...
Bell Gardens Sun

Mayor's Boyle Heights Town Hall Taken Over by Teachers
Bell Gardens Sun - ‎20 hours ago‎
Villaraigosa attempted to remind the audience of his track record supporting labor unions and his efforts to prevent teacher layoffs by LAUSD, ...

LAKE ELSINORE: Teachers agree to furlough days
North County Times - ‎13 hours ago‎
The result of the deal will be that the district will retain 214 teachers who received preliminary layoff notices and maintain a ratio of 20 students to ...

Union members demonstrate frustration with school board
Vallejo Times-Herald - ‎2 hours ago‎
Mommsen cast the only vote against the layoffs. Wilson said it was with "reluctance" that she voted for sending the layoff notices. ...

UC regents confirm new chancellors, offer big pay hikes -- University of California Regents confirmed new chancellors for UC Davis and UC San Francisco and agreed to give them massive pay hikes over their predecessors. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee James P. Sweeney in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/8/09

Roberts and Trounstine: Arnold on Prop. 1A Cuts for Firefighting: Never Mind -- As Calbuzz foresaw several days ago, Gov. Arnold turned up in Santa Barbara Thursday, canceling a staged "Wildfire Awareness Week" event in Riverside in favor of preening for the cameras on the scene of an actual, out-of-control, wind-whipped wildfire that has local residents on the run. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- late release 5/7/09

State/Propositions News: 5/8/09

Five of six propositions losing -- The May 19 special election ballot agenda crafted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders of both parties is in deep trouble, a poll released Thursday by the Public Policy Institute of California shows. John Marelius San Diego Union-Trib weblog Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog BRIAN JOSEPH in the Orange County Register , California Progress Report-- 5/8/09

CFT/Affiliates in the News: 5/7/09

Proposed Bill Seeks to Protect UC Whistleblowers
Daily Californian - ‎9 hours ago‎
Michelle Squitieri, a field representative for the University Council: American Federation of Teachers Union said that although she is not familiar with the ...

BAFFLED BY BALLOT INITIATIVES? MAY 17 MEASURES PROVE STUDY IN ...
East County Magazine - ‎19 hours ago‎
Educator groups are divided, too: California Teachers Association urges a "Yes" on all six measures, but the California Federation of Teachers urges a "No" ...

Propositions 1D and 1E at a glance
San Jose Mercury News - ‎20 hours ago‎
OPPONENTS: California Federation of Teachers; California Nurses Association; Children's Defense Fund; First Five Association of California; Prevent Child ...

SEIU Blog:
Point of View: What Prop. 1A really means for California
By Kate Thomas -- 5:59 PM Eastern - May 6, 2009
"I need your help. Here in California there is a ballot initiative called Prop. 1A that would put a cap on what we spend. Supposedly in the good years, extra money would be put in to a 'rainy day' fund. In lean years, I think, money would be pulled back out."

Education news: 5/7/09

Groups announce ballot opposition -- Opponents on Wednesday posted the entire 3,000-word text of the initiative and challenged people to decipher the fine print. The item is in the Fresno Bee -- 5/7/09

Proposition 1B: Restoration of Education Funding - NO
California Progress Report 5/7/09

L.A. schools chief critical of unfit teachers 'milking the system' -- The top administrator for L.A.'s schools said this morning he was frustrated by unfit teachers "milking the system" by contesting justified dismissals for years. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/7/09

UCSD makes admissions error - again -- For the second time this spring, the admissions office at the University of California San Diego has temporarily gotten its thumbs up/thumbs down wrong for a batch of prospective students. John Wilkens in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/7/09

Shortage of college graduates projected -- A new report estimates that California will have a shortage of 1 million college graduates by 2025. Dan Abendschein in the San Bernardino Sun -- 5/7/09

Fees at California's public universities keep rising -- Parents: Get ready to write bigger checks. Students: Steel yourselves to pay off larger loans. It's getting more expensive to go to college in California. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/7/09

Fee hike is attack on middle class
California's public universities are going down a very dangerous path that will one day create a very restrictive class of students.

UC president points to progress -- When Mark Yudof took over as president of the University of California a year ago, it came at one of the most challenging times ever. Jim Doyle in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/7/09

CalPERS, CalSTRS money managers used agents tied to N.Y. probe -- CalPERS and CalSTRS have invested at least $525 million with money managers who paid finder's fees to two "placement agents" under scrutiny in connection with a New York state pension fund scandal. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee

State News: 5/7/09

State controller: Most difficult times we have ever faced -- State Controller John Chiang said Wednesday that California's financial problems are a long way from being solved. Andrew Edwards in the San Bernardino Sun -- 5/7/09

5/6/09

Sac Bee Capitol Alert
Elsewhere in Sacto, union members and others will hold a rally and candlelight overnight vigil at the Federal Building (501 I St) to support the Employee Free Choice Act, which is pending in Congress. That's the bill, bitterly opposed by business, that would make it easier for workers to organize through a "card check" system, where workers sign cards calling for a union, rather than a secret ballot. The rally/vigil is sponsored by the California Labor Federation.

CFT In the News: 5/6/09

School funding at question in special election
Elk Grove Citizen - ‎16 hours ago‎
The California Federation of Teachers, a teacher's union, opposes Prop 1A and calls it a “power grab,” arguing that the governor would become too powerful ...

Education news: 5/6/09

Desert Sands Unified School District to issue 24 pink slips
The Desert Sun - ‎May 6, 2009‎
These cuts are in addition to 136 teacher positions up for cuts to make up for an approximately $9 million budget gap left by reduced state funding. ...

School district approves deal with CSEA, eliminating need for layoffs
The Turlock Journal - ‎May 6, 2009‎
Including earlier deals with the Turlock Teachers Association, the Turlock Classified-American Federation of Teachers, and other unrepresented employees, ...

Community Studies takes first cuts: UCSC staffers get pink slips ...
San Jose Mercury News - ‎May 5, 2009‎
By GENEVIEVE BOOKWALTER SANTA CRUZ -- After 40 years as the public face of the controversial Community Studies Department at UC Santa Cruz, Mike Rotkin ...

$634 Million Coming To California For Special Education – Marty Omoto in the California Progress Report

LA teachers union accused of unfair labor practice
San Jose Mercury News - ‎14 hours ago‎
AP LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles school officials say they will ask a judge to stop the teachers' union from holding a one-day work stoppage for May 15. ...

L.A. Unified pays teachers not to teach -- About 160 instructors and others get salaries for doing nothing while their job fitness is reviewed. They collect roughly $10 million a year, even as layoffs are considered because of a budget gap. Jason Song in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/6/09
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-teachers6-2009may06,0,3038809.story?track=rss

CSU seeks student fee hike -- California State University officials said Tuesday they will ask the board of trustees to approve a 10% increase in student fees to help offset state budget cuts to the 23-campus system. Terence Chea AP David Hasemyer in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 5/6/09

Oakland's small schools movement, 10 years later -- It is often said that there are "two Oaklands," and the city's public education system is no exception to this divide. Some schools are largely attended by the middle class and affluent, and others by the poor and working class. Katy Murphy in the Oakland Tribune -- 5/6/09

LAUSD proposes plan to work with unions on saving jobs -- The Los Angeles school board Tuesday floated a creative plan to avoid thousands of layoffs: They invited union officials to scour district books for savings on the condition unions match the amount dollar for dollar with furloughs, pay cuts and other concessions. George B. Sanchez in the Torrance Daily Breeze -- 5/6/09

Valley schools poised to receive millions in stimulus funding -- Valley schools will gain millions of dollars in additional funding as federal stimulus money is expected to make its way to local districts in the next few weeks. Tracy Correa in the Fresno Bee -- 5/6/09

Hancock: 2/3 requirement must go to save schools -- State Senator Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, on Tuesday welcomed to the State Capitol a group of public-school parents who bicycled up from Oakland to protest cuts in state education funding and to deliver a petition demanding more state support for public schools and removal of the 2/3 requirement to pass a budget or to raise taxes. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 5/6/09
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2009/05/05/hancock-23-requirement-must-go-to-save-schools/

State News: 5/6/09

Walters: Schwarzenegger uses scare tactics on ballot fight -- Arnold Schwarzenegger says "I don't like to use scare tactics," but he's doing exactly that by threatening to sharply reduce firefighters and close fire stations as the wildfire season begins unless voters approve a series of budget-related ballot measures this month. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/6/09

Ad Watch: TV spot ties Props. 1A, 1B to public safety -- Backers of the May 19 ballot measures have a new television ad warning that local public safety jobs and services are at risk if Propositions 1A and 1B lose. Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/6/09

Mike Roth
What's this Election Really About?
May 05, 2009 @ 6:22 PM
With just two weeks until Election Day, Arnold is putting his money not where his mouth is, but where his true intentions are.
Disclosure: I work on the No campaign

CFT In the news: 5/5/09

Prop. 1B would give schools $9.3 billion
By STEVE LAWRENCE Associated Press WriterPosted: 05/05/2009 01:05:29 -Proposition 1B is a school funding plan that is linked to another, more controversial proposal on California's May 19 special election ballot.
The Federation of Teachers supports Proposition 1B, but the union's political director, Ken Burt, said that measure is part of a "divide and conquer strategy" designed to avoid a united education community campaign against the spending cap contained in Proposition 1A.

Proposition 1B at a glance
By The Associated Press  Posted: 05/05/2009 01:30:49 PM PDT
Here is a summary of Proposition 1B, the school funding proposal on California's May 19 special election ballot:
EDUCATION GROUPS OPPOSING PROPOSITION 1A: The California Federation of Teachers, the California School Boards Association and the California Faculty Association, which represents faculty members at California State University campuses. The federation and school board association support Proposition 1B; the faculty association has not taken a position on that measure. The California Federation of Teachers has contributed $116,515 and the faculty association $312,270 to the No on 1A campaign.

Education news: 5/5/09

Obama administration takes on school reform
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎17 hours ago‎
Duncan's challenge is to spend the money quickly and strategically while ratcheting up accountability measures for both teachers and students. ...

Closed schools look for leniency on STAR exam rules -- Worried that school closures due to swine flu could adversely affect Standardized Testing and Reporting, or STAR tests, state officials are trying to provide extra time to administer the exams. Theresa Harrington in the Contra Costa Times -- 5/5/09

State News: 5/5/09

Walters: California finance system suffers from unintended consequences -- "Unintended Consequences" would be the appropriate title for any history of California's fiscal politics in the latter half of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/5/09

Essay Six: Props 1A, 1B and 1C
By Sheila Kuehl
California Integrated Waste Management Boardmember
What I Think
It seems pretty obvious that, whether the propositions pass or fail, they create a significant, but different, problem for the state. The total monies brought into the current budget by all the propositions together is about 6 billion dollars. However, over $5 billion of that revenue comes from the sale of the lottery. ... In the California Progress Report

CFT/Affiliates in the News: 5/2-4

Proposition 1B devised to avoid court fight, gain ally
By Kevin Yamamura --Saturday, May. 2, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 11A
Two unions, the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers, support Proposition 1B, though only the CTA supports Proposition 1A... CFT President Marty Hittleman said his group's stance on 1B is symbolic and that it prefers taking the governor to court.

Entire Article: 2 unions vie to represent community colleges' staff
San Diego Union Tribute 5/2/09
EL CAJON: Two unions will compete in an election to represent more than 1,200 faculty members at Grossmont and Cuyamaca community colleges.

The United Faculty, whose contract with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District expires this summer, and the American Federation of Teachers Guild, Local 1931, which represents faculty in the San Diego Community College District, will appear on the ballot in the yet-unscheduled election. A state law allows unions to call for elections before a contract expires.

The state board of relations rejected another union's petition to be included in the pending East County election because it did not submit enough valid signatures from faculty members, Les Chisholm, a division chief at the Public Employment Relations Board, said last week.

A spokesman for the union, the Community College Association, affiliated with the California Teachers Association, said it is considering appealing the rejection. An appeal would affect the scheduling of an election. -L.S.

Education news: 5/2-4

Districts adhere to difficult job ritual
Layoff notices often rescinded
By Chris Moran Union-Tribune Staff Writer
May 4, 2009
This time they mean it. Or do they?
For the third time in seven years, local school boards have issued more than 1,000 tentative layoff notices to teachers. The last two times, almost no jobs were lost. And districts around the county already are beginning to rescind hundreds of the pink slips they issued just weeks ago.

Regents Juggle Costs Of Education, Higher Fees
By TESS TOWNSEND and CAROL YUR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Monday, May 4, 2009
With the state in a recession and the University of California facing a $437 million shortfall, the UC Board of Regents will vote on-and likely pass-a proposed fee increase during their meeting on Thursday.

Schools consider four-day weeks
Gretel Daugherty / Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Districts facing budget cuts nationwide are contemplating the measure. It's an appealing alternative to cutting staff or programs, but it can create child-care problems for parents.
By Nicholas Riccardi
May 4, 2009
Reporting from Denver -- Facing deep funding cuts during the economic downturn, increasing numbers of school districts nationwide are contemplating trimming the traditional school week to four days to save money.

Special election adds to school officials angst
by Jennifer WadsworthMay 04, 2009
School districts may have to revise their budgets again, depending on the outcome of the May 19 special election.

Lucia Mar to consider cuts to sports programs and charging students for busing at Tuesday meeting
Dawn White - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Sunday, May. 03, 2009
The cost for students to ride the bus and what cuts will be made to sports programs at the Lucia Mar Unified School District will be among the budget decisions likely made at Tuesday's school board meeting.

California needs to ramp up college education, study finds
By Dan Abendschein, Staff Writer--Posted: 05/03/2009
Education
Get the scoop on schools, teachers and students. Visit our Education page for more articles and photos.
A new report estimates that California will have a shortage of 1 million college graduates by the year 2025.

Call for reform in wake of Times examination of teacher firings
Los Angeles Times - ‎5 hours ago‎
Top Los Angeles school officials, acknowledging that they have teachers in classrooms who should be fired, called Sunday for new state legislation that ...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/call-for-reform-in-wake-of-times-examination-of-teacher-firings.html

Firing tenured teachers can be a costly and tortuous task
A Times investigation finds the process so arduous that many principals don't even try, except in the very worst cases. Jettisoning a teacher solely because he or she can't teach is rare.
It's remarkably difficult to fire a tenured public school teacher in California, a Times investigation has found. The path can be laborious and labyrinthine ...

Putting Students on the Same High-Performance Page
By Lydia Gensheimer, CQ Politics Staff 5/2/09
What happens when you have a law that's supposed to improve performance among the nation's school children but instead it creates confusion, lowers expectations and can result in a "dummying down" of state standards?

Internships helping fill teacher gaps
BY JEFF NACHTIGAL, Californian staff writer --Friday, May 01 2009 11:03 AM
Cisneros is an "alt-cert," named for the alternative route he's taken to earn a teaching certificate.
Teacher interns are tested and vetted in their subject competency and are enrolled in an accredited university teacher program.

State News: 5/2-4

California Budget part five: How Abel Raised Cain - Shiela Kuehl, California Progress Report 5/4/09

A Look At Spending Caps By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California
California Progress Report

CFT/Affiliates in the News: 5/1/09

"No on 1A" Event Highlights Split from Calif. Teachers Association
May. 01‚ 2009
CTA's support of 1A has also met heavy criticism from the California Federation of Teachers and the California School Boards Association, who point out that the proposition is a recipe for deepening the misery of the most disadvantaged while not accomplishing its professed purpose to prepare the state for the next economic catastrophe.

Union and Staff Members Recognize May Day
In a unified campaign for immigrant laborer rights, local union members have joined forces with student and staff organizations to celebrate the May 1 celebration of International Workers' and Immigrants Rights Day.... symbolic "hug." Bill Quirk, director of communications and education and University Council American Federation of Teachers

Education news: 5/1/09

College-bound students run into financial wall -- More families request aid, but universities and the government tighten up, jeopardizing enrollment of some students at schools where the cost of a four-year education can reach $200,000. Gale Holland in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/30/09

UC Merced gets approval to begin expansion after years of debate -- The go-ahead came after years of environmental wrangling and consultation over the campus' impact on endangered species in the area. Jonah Owen Lamb in the Fresno Bee -- 4/30/09

State's English learners' test scores improve -- Of the 1.3 million children in kindergarten through 12th grade who took the California English Language Development Test this year, more than 39 percent scored "early advanced" or "advanced," compared with 36 percent last year, the state Education Department reported Wednesday. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/1/09

State News: 5/1/09

Goldberg: California's cavernous corporate loopholes -- As voters try to decide how to repair the state's budget, big companies are walking away with billions in tax giveaways. Lenny Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times -- 4/30/09

Field Poll: Voters take a dim view of governor, Legislature -- With the economy and state budget in turmoil, California voters are more frustrated than ever with state lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to a Field Poll released today. Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/1/09

State voters add to budget gridlock, poll says -- Californians looking for the source of gridlock in the state budget might find the answer in the mirror, according to a new poll that shows state voters strongly oppose both new taxes and cuts in their favorite programs and services. Carla Marinucci in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/1/09

Walters: What's Plan B if five ballot measures fail? -- Prospects are rapidly diminishing for the five ballot measures that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders say they need to keep the state budget from drowning in red ink. So, one might ask, what's Plan B? Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/1/09

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