California on track to lead the nation in education funding

Earlier this week the California Legislature approved a state budget that includes transformational education investments that put California on track to lead the nation in education funding.

Among the many highlights in the budget from early childhood through higher education:

$2.8 billion to support the expansion of community schools will be available through 2028.
A commitment, with funding, to reach Universal Transitional Kindergarten by 2025-26.
Significant new resources for teacher training and retention, including $125 million to fund the Classified School Employees Credentialing program.
A 5.07% COLA for K-14, and a 5% funding increase for UC.

The budget also contains several significant wins for community colleges, following organizing by CFT members statewide. Improvements won by CFT and other community college advocates include:

$100 million to support hiring more full-time faculty.
$100 million for part-time faculty office hours.
The extension of the hold harmless provision through 2024-25 to delay the full implementation of the controversial community college Student Centered Funding Formula.

CFT President Jeff Freitas lauded the budget in a statement released earlier in the week, noting that this budget makes historic investments in all of our students, setting them and our state up for long-term success.

But he also emphasized that there is much more work to do.

“In the coming years we look forward to building on the foundation set by this unprecedented budget, to once again make California’s public schools the top in funding and the envy of the nation,” said Freitas. “As part of that ongoing commitment to our students and our schools, we will continue to advocate for a tax on extreme wealth in California. California’s billionaires have increased their wealth by hundreds of billions of dollars since the pandemic began, and our state must recognize this growing inequity by taxing that wealth to fully fund our schools and invest in our communities.”

Join Stacey Abrams, Dena Simmons and more at AFT's Teach conference starting on Tuesday, July 6th

Registration is now open for AFT’s biennial professional learning conference, TEACH (Together Educating America’s Children), to be held virtually this July 6-10. Registration is just $50 for certificated members and $25 for classified members and retirees.

TEACH 2021 will feature:

Inspiring speakers on key issues like rebuilding academically from the pandemic and creating anti-racist communities;
Engaging cross-curricular sessions with meaningful tools and resources to use in your school; and
Solutions to ensure students’ social emotional learning and the freedom to thrive; and
Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues.

Celebrate the 4th of July while supporting union workers

We hope that you are all able to find some time to safely join family and friends as we celebrate the 4th of July this weekend. As you stock up on food, drinks, supplies, and sunscreen, make sure to go for the brands that are made by ethical companies who treat their workers fairly and give them a voice on the job.

Head on over to Labor 411 for a list of union made beverages, food, snacks, and more.