Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1546952
I F W E H A D the chance to improve our lives and sur- rounding communities — making them more equitable, stable and economically sound — we'd do it, right? is is what happens when our children get a great education. A new report from CTA Institute for Teaching and the Economic Policy Institute, "e Path to Equita- ble Reform" (page 29), underscores the lasting societal benefits of fully funding education, not only for students but for families, communities and the workforce. Rigorous research, according to the report, repeatedly shows that additional investment in public education produces social gains, including lower crime rates, a stronger tax base and a more capable and creative econ- omy for everyone. Unfortunately, California currently ranks a dismal 36th in the nation in per-pupil funding. "It's baffling that we're still fighting to stabilize the unequal, volatile sys- tem of how schools are funded, when our state has more than $4 trillion GDP and when California corporations received $94 billion in tax breaks the last year alone," said CTA President David Goldberg at the press conference announcing the report. But the report lays out a path to change this and achieve the society we want: permanent, not provisional, educational investment. This is where Proposition 3 comes in — a move to make permanent the existing, temporary taxes on the wealthy that bring in $15 billion annually to California classrooms and health care. Passing Prop. 3 in November would be part of a solid foundation of funding to ensure students' — and all of our — futures. Many of our members have jumped into the canvass- ing effort, as our story on p. 22 shows ("Join Educators Across the State Knocking on Doors for Prop. 3!"). It's critical for everyone to get involved: Sign up to canvass at mobilize.us/cta. Check out our Election section For Our Own Good (p. 18) with its "tear-out" ballot recommendations on p. 21, including Richard Barrera for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Visit cta.yourvoterguide for recommendations on races appearing on your local ballot. Urge the voters you speak with to cast their ballots for stu- dents and schools on Nov. 3. And remember to point out the bigger picture: Giving kids a great education helps all of us, now and into the future. "We Did It! Our Union Wins Paid Pregnancy Leave for Educa- tors," p. 34, is just the most recent example of what can happen when our members work together, when we reach out to others to share our stories — and when we make change that benefits our greater society. Let's get out that vote. Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org Dream Big! Don't miss your chance to add your voice and help our union shape its vision for public education. "We're Dreaming Big," p. 15, shows some in-person responses to the question posed below from members at summer conferences. Also below, see a few of the many online answers, and go to cta.org/vision to chime in. 6 cta.org E D I T O R ' S N O T E