In honor of Women's History Month, CTA President Barbara E. Kerr "schooled" the State Council of Education in legendary female unionists, from Mother Jones who organized workers in the mines at the turn of the 20th Century to Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers in the 1960s.

 

Kerr observed that CTA chapters might take their inspiration from these famous organizers as they continue their own organizing efforts and building on the momentum of last year's election victory.

 

"We have an opportunity to make real education changes for our students and schools and we have an opportunity to elect a governor — State Treasurer Phil Angelides — who will make sure that public education is the top priority of this state," Kerr said.

 

Although Angelides has long demonstrated his commitment to protecting Proposition 98 and was one of the first to stand up to the governor's negative education proposals, Kerr said she was struck most by his promise to ask classroom teachers when he wants advice on education. "What a concept!" Kerr said.

 

Kerr also urged Council to work on behalf of Proposition 82 that would give all children the opportunity to attend a quality preschool.

 

"On the first day of class I could always tell you which children had attended preschool and which had not. Prop. 82 will make sure that all kids have access to preschool and will ensure that all teachers in those preschools have a credential. Providing preschool to all will strengthen our schools," she said.

 

Referring to the recent massive immigration rallies and walk-outs that students have been conducting all over the state, Kerr observed that while CTA does not condone truancy, it supports their spirit and activism. CTA believes "that immigration policies should guarantee human rights and protect the integrity of the family without discrimination. We protect the rights of children, no matter where they come from… And we said those exact words in letters to Senators Boxer and Feinstein urging them to vote No on HR 4437," she said.

 

 

 

Bringing a breath of fresh air to the state's governor's race, current state Treasurer Phil Angelides visited State Council April 1 to affirm that as governor, he will listen to the voice of teachers.

 

If his track record is any indication, Angelides is certain to do just that. An active critic of Gov. Schwarzenegger's failed policies, he reminded the 800-member State Council, that he "stood up to this governor when his polls were as big as his box office receipts."

 

In the same week, Angelides released his Teachers for Our Future plan to address the staggering teacher shortage by: restoring and expanding California's teaching fellowship program; rolling back Arnold Schwarzenegger's fee increases on teacher training; identifying the pay and incentives California needs to attract and retain talented teachers; and restoring funding for teacher support.

 

Angelides won CTA's support for governor in January so his appearance April 1 was a thank you to the body that voted for that endorsement. Angelides confessed he did not have all the answers, but he knows who will be the people he consults when it comes to improving education in the state.

 

"Working with you, listening to your best ideas…we're going to do great things together. I want to learn from you, I want to work with you, I want to be your partner and I want to be your leader," he said.

 

For more information on Angelides' candidacy and plans, see his website at www.angelides.com.

 

 

 

With the 30-year observance of the Rodda Act coming up in July, CTA Executive Director Carolyn Doggett provided Council members with a refresher course on the impact of collective bargaining on the teaching profession in California.

 

"Most of us probably hadn't given a second thought to this anniversary. And I think that is because collective bargaining has become an every day function of our association lives. It is just something that we take for granted," she said. "Like the sun, the moon and the District Office. It is always there. But we should mark the accomplishment that has made life better for educators and students."

 

Doggett noted the differences that collective bargaining has made to students as well as teachers. For example, she said, "Studies show that states with strong collective bargaining laws have higher student achievement."

 

"If you move from a non-bargaining state to a state with a level of bargaining, the average SAT scores will rise from 936 points to 979 points," she said.

 

In addition, "Per-pupil spending increases by more than 12 percent in states where teachers have the right to join a union and bargain contracts.

 

Doggett reminded teachers what the profession was like before the passage of the Rodda Act.

 

"We had to settle for what districts gave us. And it was a lot less than we needed or deserved. A good salary, health benefits, and decent working conditions were only a dream in most places.  There was no due process, no transfer procedure, no release time, and no grievance procedure, let alone binding arbitration. Teachers were treated like nothing more than 'tall children' in many school districts."

 

Doggett told Council that CTA must be vigilant in protecting those hard-earned rights since legislation is introduced every year that would limit and restrict teachers' rights to bargain. Collective bargaining has been further attacked by right wing organizations that want to see it eliminated.

 

In celebration of César Chávez Day, Doggett reminded Council what Chávez once said about unions: "We're trying to do it the way millions of other Americans have shown is the right way – organization, unionism and collective bargaining."

 

Doggett added, "So, on July 1, please take a moment to celebrate our collective bargaining rights – Viva La Rodda!"

 

 

 

State Council this weekend endorsed Bruce McPherson for California Secretary of State. Council also voted to support Proposition 81, the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2006. The bond would generate $600 million for public libraries throughout the state and provide a 35 % local and 65% state match in funding for grant recipients. 

 

In other actions, Council: