Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1546952
A N E W R E P O R T from the CTA Institute for Teaching and the Economic Policy Institute shows that increasing public edu- cation funding results in huge economic and social returns for California and the United States. "Investing in California's Public Edu- cation : The Path to Equitable Reform" examines the research on how universal public education is a necessary condition for steady and broadly based economic growth; high public investment in education yields high social returns. In other words, the benefit of investment in all students and all schools is an educated, thriving workforce and equitable, stable society. " When a child gets a great education, the benefits ripple out into their family, community and the workforce," said Hilary Wething, EPI economist and report co-lead, at the August press conference announcing the new report. "It also ripples out into lower crime rates, a stronger tax base, and into a more capable and creative economy for everyone. "Rigorous research has shown repeat- edly that additional investment in public education produces social gains, such as higher educational attainment and greater lifetime success." In addition to examining prior academic research and analyzing state policies, researchers interviewed teachers, paraprofessionals, superintendents, school administrators and youth advocacy groups throughout California. ey also asked students to show what fully funded schools would look like for them. "When a child gets a great education, the benefits ripple out into their family, community and the workforce. It also ripples out into ... a more capable and creative economy for everyone." —EPI economist and report co-lead Hilary Wething California Has the Resources to Fully Fund Public Schools Our state ranks 36th in the country in per-pupil spending Special Report: 29 F A L L 2 0 26 Feature