BURLINGAME – Students are being cheated out of the opportunity for a better future by the governor's refusal to keep his promise to repay funds borrowed from our public schools, educators and parents warn in a new radio ad campaign launched statewide today by the California Teachers Association.

 

 "A recent report by the Coalition for College Opportunity reveals that only one in eight California students goes on to college," CTA President Barbara E. Kerr says in one spot. "The reason? A shortage of counselors, college prep classes and resources in our schools. It's time to tell Sacramento politicians to keep their promises and repay our schools."

 

Kerr said the radio ads, airing for the next three weeks, underscore teachers' growing concerns that the governor's proposed state budget fails to address the more than $3 billion still owed to schools for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years. At a time that California ranks 43rd in the nation in per-pupil funding, the governor's 2006-07 budget proposal breaks the promise he made to public schools and students.

 

Parents and teachers speak in the ads about investing in education being the best option for building a brighter future for our children. "We need to tell Sacramento politicians this – keep your promises to our children and our schools," one parent says.

 

CTA Vice President David A. Sanchez delivers the same message in Spanish versions of the ads. "Las promesas que no cumplió el gobernador les roban el futuro a nuestros alumnos," he says. "The governor's false promises rob our children of their future."

 

The spots will air on 62 radio stations, including Spanish- and Asian-language stations, in all markets. The English and Spanish versions of the ads, part of CTA's ongoing "Teachers' Voice" radio campaign, can be found in the CTA Press Center.

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