Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1533049
Why We Can't Wait • Education funding at the state level is unstable and unreliable — leading to cycles of budget cuts, educator layoffs, school closures and an ongoing lack of resources and staffing. • Educator wages are considerably lower than those of similar workers in other professions, making it difficult for educators to meet their own and family needs, including affordable housing. • is has resulted in a growing educator recruitment and retention crisis, with thousands of vacancies across California. California boasts the fifth-largest economy in the world, with corporate interests and the wealthy growing ever richer. Yet educator wages are far below those of other college-educated workers, leading to many educators struggling to get by, having to take on second and third jobs or living far from the communi- ties where they work. Schools are inadequately staffed, resulting in reprehensible class sizes and little to no student access to school counselors, nurses and mental health professionals. Essential school programs and resources are being cut, and educator layoff notices are a regular occurrence. Meanwhile, funding for public education remains precarious and subject to vicious cycles of budget cuts. Many schools are facing closure or have closed. It's little wonder that there's an ongoing crisis in educator recruitment and retention. Our union recognizes that the status quo is untenable, and the situation is urgent. We also know that there are solutions to these problems. Remedying the issues will take all our col- lective power — and is the driving force behind the "We Can't Wait" campaign. "Local chapters have been preparing for this campaign for a California is the 5th largest economy in the world. Corporate profits are on the rise while the rest of us struggle to keep up. California students and families deserve fully staffed and resourced schools. The lack of state funding disproportionately affects our most vulnerable students including immigrant students, unhoused students, LGBTQIA+ students and students of color. Students denied the opportunity to learn in a fully staffed and resourced school will never get those years back. It doesn't have to be this way. 16 cta.org Feature