Leaders in the education and business communities held a news conference Aug. 4 to announce a joint effort to address "long-term solutions for improving school funding and the quality of education in California's public schools for all students."

 

"The partnership was formed out of a common purpose: to invest in California's schoolchildren today so that the state's economy and quality of life is secured well into the future," said CTA President Barbara E. Kerr. Joining her at the podium were California Business Properties Association President and CEO Rex Hime, California Correctional Peace Officers Association President Mike Jimenez, and representatives from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association.

 

As partners in the effort, they have agreed on a common set of principles that will guide an education agenda designed to elicit concrete results:

 

Funding adequacy and equity - All California schoolchildren should have an opportunity to receive a high-quality education. In order to achieve high standards of learning, funding must be adequate and distributed in a way that provides all students the opportunity to do their best.

 

Educator development and compensation - Investing in California's educators is a solid investment in its schoolchildren.

 

Assistance to "low-performing" schools - Schools labeled underperforming should be given assistance, not sanctions.

 

Accountability in school funding - More school funding must stay in the classroom.

 

"California expectations are among the highest in the country, yet school funding is about $1,000 per student below the national average," the participants agreed. Funds should be distributed to schools "based on the needs of the students in those schools, not on the wealth of the school district."

 

"The quality of teaching is an important ingredient in good student learning," they said. Teachers must earn competitive salaries and must be given opportunities to learn new teaching methods to keep up with the needs of students in a competitive global market.

 

Another point of agreement is that parental and community involvement is critical to the sucess of children and their schools.