Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/11437
¿Por Qué No? ¡Sí Se Puede! B Y C TA P R ESIDEN T D A VID A. S ANCHEZ choose the best candidates who support public education and understand the need for effectively funding our state’s schools. California educators have paid dearly over recent years, with more than 16,000 edu- cators laid off last year and another 26,000 receiving pink slips this spring. Countless dedicated professionals have been left in a state of limbo, along with all of Califor- nia’s students — the ones who end up pay- ing the price for the bad decisions being made by our elected leaders. It’s more important than ever that all W CTA members exercise their right to vote in June. Tom Torlakson — CTA’s recom- mendation for state superintendent of public instruction — is an excellent exam- ple of the type of leader we need guiding California’s public school system out of the deep crisis we find ourselves in today. With experience as a science teacher and coach, Torlakson has worked in Califor- nia’s schools and sees the very real chal- lenges our classrooms face day in and day out with issues like swelling class sizes and the proliferation of corporate charter schools that have no accountability to the community. The situation with funding our schools is truly dismal — and stands to get even worse if we don’t choose the right candi- dates this election year. We desperately need leaders who can get the job done. Torlakson has a proven track record of de- livering on education issues and bringing about real results and positive effects for students and teachers. He sponsored CTA’s Quality Education Investment Act, which provides $3 billion to help lower-perform- ing schools. He opposed the flawed Race to the Top (RTTT) program, which re- quires states to adopt specific standards and expand accountability measures such ith the June 8 primary election right around the corner, it is of the utmost importance that we as paying and evaluating teachers based on student test scores, and also seeks to impose more stringent sanctions against lower-performing schools. Spearheaded by Gloria Romero — who is running against Torlakson for superintendent of public instruction — the state’s effort to conform to RTTT is one of many ill-con- ceived issues she has backed that have ad- versely affected public education. Romero has also supported efforts to weaken the state’s Class Size Reduction Program and voted to take away funding from public schools and give it to corporate charter schools that have a track record of exclud- ing some students, especially those with special needs and English learners. California needs a state superintendent who is going to be pro-public schools and pro-student. Torlakson understands that it is best to have a collaborative environ- ment where teachers and educators are given buy-in and are part of the dialogue about reform. Being an educator himself, Torlakson realizes that educators should have a say in the advancement of the pub- lic education system. He knows that re- forms work best when they are done at the local level to best meet the needs of stu- dents in each neighborhood. The June primaries represent an ex- traordinary opportunity for educators to positively influence the critical issues that will affect the future of our class- rooms for years to come. If we neglect to vote for pro-education candidates, the future funding and supportive resources for our state’s public schools are bound to be even worse off than they are today. Tell your friends, neighbors and family members to get out and vote. The future of education and of California’s students is at stake in June. S EDITOR IN CHIEF Dave Earl Carpenter STAFF WRITER Sherry Posnick-Goodwin CTA WEB EDITOR Karyn Ferrera Donhoff CTA WEB EDITOR Tiffany Hasker EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Craig Hamilton CTA ELECTED OFFICERS PRESIDENT David A. Sanchez VICE PRESIDENT Dean E. Vogel ECRETARY˜TREASURER Gail M. Mendes BOARD OF DIRECTORS Larry Allen, E. Toby Boyd, Donald L. Bridge, Tyrone V. Cabell, Mikki Cichocki, Elana Davidson, Don Dawson, Dana Dillon, David Goldberg, Jim Groth, Dián Dolores Hasson, Eric C. Heins, Marty G. Meeden, George Melendez, Mary Rose Ortega, Cynthia Peña, Jim Rogers, Bonnie Shatun, Marc Sternberger, Michael Stone, Curtis Washington EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Carolyn Doggett ASSOCIATE EXEC. DIRECTOR Rebecca Zoglman COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Jonathan Goldman CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Baker, Scott Buschman, Dave Crosland, Len Feldman, Bill Guy, Dina Martin, Mike Myslinski, Kamran Nasser EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Katie Young, chair; Ami S. Barker, Misao Brown, Rosalyn Collier, Tony P. Diaz, Michael Downey, Linda Guthrie, Gregg Solkovits, Sandra Thornton, KC Walsh; Jim Groth (Board liaison) EDITORIAL INFORMATION California Educator is published for the information and edification of its members. The editorial philoso- phy is governed by the policies of CTA. Articles and advertising reflect that philosophy. Letters to the editor may be sent to editor@cta.org. Publication of advertising in the California Educa- tor does not indicate CTA approval of the product or of the companies that purchase advertising. Advertising rate card and information is available from WebSolutions, Media Division, 5666 Spruce Harbor Court, Las Vegas, NV 89122 (702) 838-3434; FAX (702) 838-3355 CTA/NEA membership dues for the fiscal year, Sept. 1-Aug. 31, are $783, including a $20 voluntary contribution. Up to $17.97 of CTA annual dues is designated for CTA/ABC political activ ities to support state and local candidates and/or initiatives and is not deductible for income tax purposes. Subscription to the California Educator is $10/year, available only to persons or institutions not eligible for CTA/NEA membership. California Educator (ISSN 1091-6148) is published monthly except January, July and August for $6.17 per year (included in dues) by: CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 1705 Murchison Dr., Burlingame, CA 94010-4583 (650) 697-1400; FAX (650) 552-5002 editor@cta.org, www.cta.org Postmaster: Send change of address to California Educator, P.O. Box 4178, Burlingame, CA 94011-4178. ¿Por Qué No? ¡Sí Se Puede! [Yes we can! Why not?], words inspired by César Chávez, encourage us to remember that, together, we can achieve great things. 4 California Educator | MAY 2010 Periodicals Postage Paid at Burlingame, CA, and additional mailing offices.