Children are our special interest!

In the last four years, California schools have suffered more than $9.8 billion in cuts. Statewide, these cuts translate to school closures, increases in class size, lay offs of teachers and support staff, and a devastating shortage of librarians, counselors and nurses. Many schools lack basic supplies and instructional materials. Schools are cutting art and music programs, extracurricular activities are no longer affordable, and after-school programs have been decimated.

The children of California are our most important “special interest.” We need proposals that will give them everything they need to succeed, not more empty rhetoric.

“As recently as the 1970s, California’s public schools were reputed to be excellent. Today, that reputation no longer stands. Instead, there is widespread concern that California’s schools have slipped in quality over the years and that they are no longer performing as well as they did previously or as well as schools in other states.” “California’s K–12 Public Schools: How Are They Doing?"         RAND Report, 1/4/05

Facts to Consider ::

Since 1987, California's K-12 public school per pupil funding has been below the national average.

California spends $1,075 less than the national average of $7,734 per-pupil. 

California spends considerably less of its personal income on public schools compared with the rest of the country, and the amount has been shrinking.

California ranks 30th nationally in capacity vs. effort to fund schools.

  The percentage of California’s budget dollars spent on K-12 education is decreasing.

  Chronic under-funding has led to acute staffing shortages as compared to other states.

  In recent NAEP tests of reading and math given to 4th and 8th grade students, California's ranked 48th out of 50.

When NAEP test scores were adjusted for socio-economic differences, California ranked dead last!

Data provided by Full Circle Fund

Additional Funding Information ::
RAND Report shows California schools lag  behind other states in  almost every objective measurement.	How California Ranks.  A look at the state's investment in K-12 education over the past decade by EdSource.	PTA Talking Points on proposed 2005-2006 State Budget from the Park Village PTA.