Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1535219
Welcome to the Family! Las Virgenes Education Association (Los Angeles) negotiated CTE teachers into their bargaining unit. There are 12 new members who will be joining! Californians and Education New survey reveals state residents' thoughts about public ed The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released its annual survey, "Californians and Education," on April 17. The 2025 survey, based on responses from 1,591 adult state residents from March 27 to April 4, covered state policy direction, local public schools, K–12 funding and early childhood education. Key findings: • Nearly all Californians say teacher salaries compared to the cost of living are a problem in the state (adults: 48% big, 38% somewhat; public school parents: 39% big, 49% somewhat). • Nearly all adults and public school parents say teacher shortages are at least somewhat of a problem (adults: 50% big, 37% somewhat; public school parents: 43% big, 45% somewhat). • Strong majorities of adults (66%) and public school parents (69%) approve of teachers' unions. • 71% of California adults and 74% of public school parents are opposed to the executive order by President Trump to close down the US Department of Education. • 66% of adults and 74% of public school parents are very or somewhat concerned about increased federal immigration enforcement efforts on undocumented students in their local public schools; majorities favor their local school district designating itself as a sanctuary "safe zone," including requiring school staff to keep information about the immigration status of students and their families confidential. • 45% of Californians think that the state's K–12 public education system is headed in the right direction, a decline from previous years. Additional findings: Most Californians and public school parents give their local public schools passing grades. Majorities say that their local public schools are doing an excellent or good job in preparing students for college, jobs and the workforce, and engaged citizenship. 48% of adults think that there is not enough state funding for their local public schools. Majorities of likely voters would vote "yes" on state and local school bond measures. Two-thirds of adults are in favor of the Local Control Funding Formula, which provides additional funding for school districts with more English language learners and lower-income students. About six in ten are very or somewhat con- cerned about declining student enrollment affecting their local public schools' funding. A majority of likely voters are opposed to providing parents with tax- funded vouchers to send their children to their choice of a public, private or parochial school. For the full report, go to ppic.org/publication. 41 M AY 2 0 2 5 Continued from Page 40 A