"Council Decides" is a two-page publication that summarizes the activities of each of the four State Council of Education meetings that is held each school year. CTA's State Council is the 770-member policy making representative assembly of the 330,000-member teachers association.

In this issue:

"Johnson: We are in a fight to save public education"
CTA President Wayne Johnson exhorts Council to fight for public education. Of major importance, currently, is the fight to expand the collective bargaining law, preserve class size reduction and change the way student assessment is conducted in California.

This is what Wayne had to say:
"This is a battle to save public education and teachers are almost alone in this fight. But we can win. Teachers are smart. Teachers are well organized. If we fight and we fight smart, we will win. "
View film clips of President Wayne Johnson: [RealPlayer]
Read more about what Johnson said to State Council.

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Council Action
State Council recommended candidates for state office, elected CTA members to several boards and committees, and welcomed several speakers, including State Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

This is what Attorney General Bill Lockyer had to say:
"Education of young people is the most important social priority that we have, the most important investment we make, and must be the top priority in our efforts."
View film clips of Attorney General Bill Lockyer: [RealPlayer]
Read more about State Council action.

Goldberg touts vision of education
Assembly member Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles), a sponsor of key CTA legislation, brought her vision of California's education system to the State Council.

This is what Goldberg had to say:
"Sooner or later everyone is going to figure it out in one form or another, that the only real reform that could ever possibly come in California's public schools will be organized and will be led by classroom teachers."
View film clips of Assembly member Jackie Goldberg: [RealPlayer]
Read more about Jackie Goldberg's speech before Council.

Schwarzenegger charms Council
Arnold Schwarzenegger, bodybuilder, film star, and children's advocate, brought to Council his campaign to pass an after-school program initiative for California's school children.

This is what Schwarzenegger had so say:
"I would love it if you would continue fighting for after school programs and let everyone know that when the vote comes in November so that everyone votes yes on this proposition. And if we win, the next time I can stand in front of you and say we now have an after school program in every elementary school and every middle school. Thank you very much. I'll be back."
View film clips of of Arnold Schwarzenegger: [RealPlayer]
Read more about Schwarzenegger's comments to Council.

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