Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/939681
Compiled by Mike Myslinski QUOTES & NUMBERS QUOTES & NUMBERS 43 rd Ranking of California nationwide in adjusted per-pupil expenditures, based on 2015 data (the most recent data available), according to Education Week's annual "Quality Counts" report. $3,109 Amount that California's per-pupil expenditure of $9,417 is below the national average of $12,526, from the same "Quality Counts" report. $436,000 Amount that CTA's Disaster Relief Fund provided in 245 grants to members impacted by wildfires and other disasters since September, as reported at State Council Jan. 21, with more grants still in the pipeline. 16,656 Number of signatures turned in at San Francisco City Hall Jan. 31 from a petition drive by United Educators of San Francisco members to place a parcel tax on the June ballot to increase educators' wages in the high-cost city. The city has 30 days to verify that the required 11,000 signatures are valid, the San Francisco Examiner reported. 2 weeks Duration of a successful strike by bus drivers represented by Teamsters Local 572, over student safety issues and working conditions, against the company that Alhambra, Glendale and Pasadena unified school districts contract with to transport students. The strike ended Feb. 1, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported. " Learning takes place in the classroom, and that's why our first job is to support teachers and give them the training and the freedom to teach as they know best." — Gov. JERRY BROWN, in his Jan. 25 State of the State speech, his final address. " The lack of school nurses in California puts children at risk." — Dr. F. NDIDI U . GRIFFIN-MYERS, director, School of Nursing, Fresno State University. The ratio of students to school nurses in the state was 2,784:1 in 2015. (See story, page 26.) " We won't stand for vouchers, and we will not allow for any privatization of public education in the great state of California. Not in this state. Not on my watch." — Assembly Member TONY THURMOND, CTA-supported candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, in his Jan. 21 speech about pushing back on White House threats, to cheering delegates at the CTA State Council meeting in Los Angeles. " We're losing really good teachers." — National City Elementary Teachers Association Vice President TA M LY N Mc K E A N , in Jan. 10 KNSD-T V (NBC) news coverage of the San Diego County chapter 's second protest rally in a month over salaries and other issues. Teachers are leaving the district for better pay elsewhere. " We simply want to remind the public of the critical importance that pub- lic schools and teachers play in the future of our community." — Alameda Education Association President JUDITH KLINGER, quoted in the Jan. 25 Alameda Sun about the AEA campaign asking local businesses to support educators by placing anchor- themed signs in their windows to remind the public that teachers "anchor " the community. 14 cta.org In the Know Q U O T E S & N U M B E R S