Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1081161
services for these children. is new focus on early childhood education includes the development of a long-term plan for providing universal preschool, a major part of working toward educational equity. "e governor's commitment to universal kindergarten and preschool is how we give all children an equal start," Heins says. "As educators, we know the importance of early childhood education. It gives kids the start they need and improves learning as they advance in school." Boost for higher education For higher education, the proposal includes a 7 percent increase in Prop. 98 funding for California Community Colleges, including a boost in money to support a second year of free tuition, impacting about 28,000 students. e California State University (CSU) budget includes an overall increase of 8 percent and no tuition increase. "e CSU funding increase and money for a second year of free com- munity college for full-time students is a historic achievement," Heins says. "is will make college and careers accessible to more students who want to further their education but just can't afford it." Newsom's budget also takes a stand against waste, fraud and abuse in privately managed charter schools that adversely impact students. Newsom called for transparency and accountability at corporate char- ter schools to ensure they are subject to the same public records and open meeting laws as other public schools. Other highlights of the governor's budget proposal: • Special Education — $576 million to expand special education services and school readiness support at school districts with high percentages of both students with disabilities and unduplicated low-income students, foster youth and English learners. • Pension Costs — $3 billion in one-time non-Prop. 98 General Fund dollars for a payment to CalSTRS to reduce long-term employer liabilities. • Paid Family Leave — Newsom has a goal of extending the cur- rent leave for parents to bond with newborns from six weeks to six months. The budget proposal includes a down payment on expanding the program, and a task force will be convened to work out options and details. The budget is available for review online at ebudget.ca.gov . Newsom will present a revised 2019-20 proposal in May. e state Leg- islature is expected to pass a budget by June 15. " The governor's commitment to universal kindergarten and preschool is how we give all children an equal start. As educators, we know the importance of early childhood education." —CTA President Eric Heins LA School Board Calls for Charter Moratorium "We need to invest in our existing schools, not fol- low a business model of unregulated growth when new schools are not needed in LA." —UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl I N T H E W A K E of United Teachers Los Angeles' successful strike, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education on Jan. 29 called for a state study on the impacts of charters and a mor- atorium on new charter schools until the study is complete. e vote was a historic moment in the fight for public schools, and a direct result of UTLA educa- tors, parents and communities standing up for a sustainable school district that provides opportu- nity to all Los Angeles students. "LAUSD has joined the NAACP and other key organizations in calling on the state of California for a moratorium on charters," says UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl. "is is a win for justice, trans- parency and common sense. We need to invest in our existing schools, not follow a business model of unregulated growth when new schools are funda- mentally not needed in LA." Charters have grown exponentially at LAUSD, from 10 in the 2000-01 school year to 277 this year, with the district now the largest charter school authorizer in the nation. Due to the oversatura- tion of charters, more than 80 percent cannot meet their projected enrollment numbers, calling into question the charter industry's assertion that their schools have waiting lists and underscoring that there are already more than enough charter schools to meet demand. —Julian Peeples Photo: Jollene Levid / UTLA 40 cta.org Advocacy