Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1546952
CTA Conference Grants The CTA Board of Directors awards conference grants to upcoming CTA statewide conferences, such as the 2027 New Educator Weekend, above. These incen- tive grants are available to new members, BIPOC members, members from small chapters, and other categories based on the particular conference. Avail- able conference grants and application deadlines: 2027 Organizing Academy JAN. 15–17, 2027 Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas Application cut-off date: Nov. 9, 2026 2027 Good Teaching Conference — North FEB. 5–7, 2027 Hyatt SFO, Burlingame Application cut-off date: Nov. 9, 2026 2027 New Educator Weekend — South FEB. 19–21, 2027 Hilton OC, Costa Mesa Application cut-off date: Nov. 9, 2026 2027 Equity & Human Rights Conference MARCH 5–7, 2027 Marriott, Santa Clara Application cut-off date: Jan. 5, 2027 2027 Good Teaching Conference — South MARCH 12–14, 2027 Hyatt OC, Garden Grove Application cut-off date: Jan. 5, 2027 2027 Women's Leadership Conference APRIL 16–18, 2027 Marriott, Gas Lamp District San Diego Application cut-off date: Jan. 5, 2027 For more information about conference grants and to apply, visit cta.org/grants. Higher Education and Union Power O C T O B E R I S N A T I O N A L Higher Education Month! Accord- ing to NEA's 2026 Faculty Salary Report, released in the spring, California consistently ranks #1 in the nation for aver- age higher education faculty salaries at both public four-year and public two-year (community college) institutions. Strong collective bargaining laws and a powerful union presence led by groups like our state's Community College Association — drive these compensation baselines. The report found that the union advantage is especially large at community colleges, where union faculty earned an average $19,000 more in 2025 than their non-unionized peers in the very same states — and an average $30,000 more than two-year faculty who work in states without collective bar- gaining. The average salary at the community college level in California is $124,488. But while our state's nominal pay is highest in the country, the numbers don't reflect actual purchasing power. High state taxes and extreme housing costs mean that California faculty may have a lower standard of living than states with lower costs of living. In our union, we continue to organize to improve working conditions for faculty and resources for com- munity colleges across California. Read the report at bit.ly/NEA_HigherEd_report2026. 12 cta.org In the Know N E W S & N O T E S