Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533049
A S C A L I F O R N I A C O N T I N U E S to endure a statewide edu- cator shortage, low wages and a lack of resources for public schools is compounding the issue — with four in 10 teachers saying they are considering leaving the classroom, according to a new report commissioned by CTA. Conducted by GBAO Strategies, the State of California's Public Schools surveyed more than 2,000 TK–12 public school educators across the state this school year, providing new insights about the ongoing shortage and increasing difficulty of recruiting and retaining California teachers. The report shows the impacts of financial pressures for educa- tors, who are crunched by below-market wages and high health care costs: • 84% of teachers surveyed cannot afford to live near the schools where they work. • 81% say their salaries are not keeping up with rising costs for groceries, childcare and other necessary expenses. • 80% have concerns that they would not be able to cover an unexpected cost. The State of California's Public Schools A CTA survey of TK–12 educators By Julian Peeples "Too many educators are spread thin and aren't able to make ends meet financially, and are working in a public school system that continues to be underfunded year after year." —CTA President David Goldberg 23 M A R C H 2 0 2 5