Newsroom
Has Calbright lost its legislative support?
Senators take online college to task in February 13 hearing
It may have taken over two years, but the Calbright online community college has apparently lost any support it might have enjoyed in the state Legislature when the CFT first warned about the potential for failure. In December 2017, Jim Mahler, president of the CFT Community College Council, sent a seminal letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, Calbright’s main promoter, pointing out key flaws in its proposed structure.
Special education in crisis
CFT SPECIAL REPORT
Marcela Chagoya, a special education teacher in Los Angeles and chair of the CFT Special Education Committee, has been teaching at the same middle school for 21 years. And she’s never seen special education in such a bad state.
“First and foremost, it’s the elimination of programs,” she said. “Districts seem to think it’s one size fits all or fits most when it comes to special ed.”
Nominate your classified colleagues for national and state recognition
AFT helps in creation of new national RISE award
“Recognizing the work we do has been a long time coming,” said Carl Williams, president of the CFT Council of Classified Employees.
The “unsung heroes” of education have continued to enjoy new levels of respect since California first proclaimed Classified School Employee Week in 1969. This year’s weeklong celebration will be from May 17 to 23, but staff and paraeducators may also be recognized through a series of national, state and local awards.
Retirees are leaving their mark on 2020 elections
Seniors work on local and statewide measures
For more than four decades, California corporations have evaded their fair share of commercial property taxes, leaving our schools with some of the most overcrowded classrooms and worst ratios of students to counselors, librarians, and nurses in the nation.
Schools and Communities First will close those property tax loopholes in 1978’s Proposition 13 — without affecting homeowners or renters — and channel more than $12 billion per year to local schools, community colleges and other vital services.
CFT members participate in Presidential Public Education Forum
Educators travel across the country to meet candidates in person
As we knew it would be, the lead-up to the 2020 Presidential Election is both an exciting and overwhelming time for voters. We are bombarded with articles, polls, social media, and headlines about the candidates.
Amid all the hype, it isn’t often that CFT members get the opportunity to see the presidential candidates in person and hear their perspectives on the issues we think about every day.
Vote YES on Prop. 13, the California school safety bond
$15 billion for new facilities and modernization
Proposition 13, the School Safety Bond, will appear on the March 2020 California ballot. The initiative, which bears no relation to Prop. 13 from 1978, is the largest school facilities bond in state history, promoting adequate and equitable school facilities that will provide healthy, safe, and educationally appropriate school infrastructure for our children.
Presidential Primary Election 2020
Vote in the March 3 California primary
California will hold its first March Primary Election this year because the Legislature moved the statewide primary forward from June so that Californians can have a greater say nationally. You may find CFT endorsements below. Your vote matters now more than ever!
Orange County member killed in tragic helicopter crash
Colleagues mourn inspirational long-time baseball coach
CFT member and baseball coach John Altobelli was killed in the tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas on January 26, along with his wife, daughter, and six others including NBA great Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter.
CFT members get the chance to bend the ears of state lawmakers
Members attend Legislative Reception
Members and leaders from local unions throughout the state got a chance to bend the ears of California lawmakers on January 28 at CFT Legislative Reception.
Tony Thurmond endorses Schools & Communities First
State superintendent of schools signs to qualify the ballot initiative
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond formally endorsed the Schools and Communities First initiative on January 28 before a crowd of educators, support staff, parents, and students on the south steps of the State Capitol .
Our bold step forward to fully fund public education
Schools and Communities First
By Jeffery M. Freitas, CFT President
When CFT received the first batch of petitions to put Schools and Communities First initiative on the ballot in late October, I immediately ripped a box open and took out a form. I eagerly signed the fresh new document to add my name in support of this historic initiative.
How one career lecturer’s medical crisis is helping others win paid sick leave
UC-AFT fights for what’s right in healthcare
It’s not often that a personal medical ordeal results in a positive outcome that helps many other people, but that’s what happened when Andrew Tonkovich, a lecturer at UC Irvine, had to receive treatment for a brain tumor.