News Releases
On Governor Brown’s Budget Proposal
Statement from the California Federation of Teachers
Thanks to the passage of Proposition 55 in the November 2016 election, California will be able to maintain its commitment to providing quality public education to the state’s more than six million students in the years to come.
On Appointment of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education
Statement from the California Federation of Teachers
We are deeply disappointed but not surprised by the selection of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. The Trump administration is making clear from the outset that it wants to privatize public schools, with less transparency and little accountability.
Activists Rally Against President-Elect, Dakota Access Pipeline at UC Irvine on Tuesday
Coalition Declares ‘Say No to Trump, Say Yes to Standing Rock’
IRVINE – On Tuesday, November 22, a coalition of academic higher education unions, activist organizations and student government leaders held a rally on the campus of UC Irvine against President-Elect Donald Trump and the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
On Academic Freedom and Student Discussion
Statement from the California Federation of Teachers
Educators have a moral responsibility, in a democratic society, to discuss the issues of the day with their students. Without this fundamental right, teachers will be subject to outside political pressure to limit the discussion of the key, sometimes controversial, issues that shape the lives of their students and the community.
Charter Schools Association uses photos, quotes without permission
Misleading independent expenditure mailer draws “cease and desist” letter
Los Angeles—A political mailer that arrived in voters’ homes last week contained photos and quotes attributed to Joanne Waddell, president of the faculty union in the Los Angeles Community College District, and Jonathan Lightman, executive director of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges. Neither authorized their use by a California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) political action committee.
Costa Mesa Educators, Parents and Students Rally, Hold Press Conference for Prop 55
Passing Ballot Measure Necessary to Prevent up to $4 Billion in Funding Cuts to Schools & Colleges
Costa Mesa – Local supporters of Proposition 55 today rallied and held a press conference in front of Back Bay High School in support of the “Children’s Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2016,” which will prevent nearly $4 billion in funding cuts to education.
Costa Mesa Educators, Parents and Students Rally, Hold Press Conference for Prop 55
Passing Ballot Measure Necessary to Prevent up to $4 Billion in Funding Cuts to Schools & Colleges
Costa Mesa – Local supporters of Proposition 55 today rallied and held a press conference in front of Back Bay High School in support of the “Children’s Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2016,” which will prevent nearly $4 billion in funding cuts to education.
Educators, students, community rally for Props 55 and W
Need progressive tax policy to fund quality education
San Francisco – Earlier today hundreds of teachers, parents,
students and community supporters joined with their peers in
cities across the country and staged “walk-ins” before school
began at more than a dozen San Francisco sites in support of
quality public education
Gov. Brown signs bill aiding part-time CC instructors
Statement from the California Federation of Teachers
On Friday Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1690 and Senate Bill 1379, which together mandate that community college district administrators must bargain with faculty unions that represent part-time instructors over re-employment rights. Previously re-employment was not a mandatory topic of bargaining.
Gov. Brown Vetoes Death Benefit Bill Aiding School Support WorkersAiding School Support Workers
Statement from the California Federation of Teachers
On Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 1878 (Jones-Sawyer), which would have increased a death benefit from the California Public Employees Retirement System intended to offset funeral costs.
Common Sense Charter School Legislation Killed by Corporate Special Interests
SB322 would have prohibited charter schools from implementing policies intended to limit admission of students with disabilities, English learners and the economically disadvantaged
Sacramento – In a blow to fair public education policies, the California State Assembly failed to pass common sense legislation that would have, in part, prohibited charter schools from instituting policies intended to limit admission of students with disabilities, English learners and the economically disadvantaged.
Victory for Students at California Supreme Court
Rejects Review of Vergara Appeal
San Francisco – In a victory for students and educators, the Supreme Court of California today announced it will not review the Vergara v. California lawsuit, letting the unanimous appellate court decision upholding five statutes governing professional and employment rights for educators stand as constitutional.
CFT files new complaint against ACCJC
Department of Education asked to pull plug, aid in finding new accreditor
San Francisco—The California Federation of Teachers filed a substantive new complaint against the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) today, arguing that the accreditor of California’s community colleges has failed so completely to fulfill its duties that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) should immediately “de-list” it—deny its renewal as an accreditor.
Bill Modifying Teachers’ Due Process Dies in Committee
AB 934 would have changed probationary
period
Statement from the California Federation of Teachers:
Assembly Bill 934 from Assemblymember Susan Bonilla failed to
make it out of the Senate Education Committee today.
Statement by the California Federation of Teachers Supporting Teachers in Mexico
The California Federation of Teachers, which represents over 120,000 educational employees in California, is extremely concerned about the recent killings and attacks on teachers in Mexico. As U.S. President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto gather today for a special summit, we call on Nieto to immediately halt these attacks, and to guarantee teachers and education workers in Mexico their human, civil, political and labor rights.
Budget Proves Need to Extend Prop 30
Strong Education Spending Plan Shows Value of Wealthiest Paying Fair Share
Statement from the California Federation of
Teachers:
The success of Proposition 30, and the importance of extending
it, is front and center in the 2016-2017 budget signed today by
Gov. Brown.
Legislature’s budget would strengthen California
CFT urges Gov. Brown to sign budget that will help pull children out of poverty, create more full-time community college faculty positions, prevent UC tuition hikes, and more
The success of Proposition 30 and a growing economy are reflected in the 2015-2016 budget approved Monday by the Legislature and headed for Governor Brown’s desk.
CFT Endorses Hillary Clinton for President
Oakland – The California Federation of Teachers Executive Council endorsed Hillary Clinton for president this past weekend. The CFT had not previously endorsed a presidential candidate, but given Secretary Clinton’s win in the California primary and her status as the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, the CFT leadership decided that now is the time to pivot to the general election.
Statement by CFT President Joshua Pechthalt on ‘Vergara v. California’
Answer to Petition for Review
Los Angeles – Today lawyers representing the California
Federation of Teachers and California Teachers Association,
intervenors, filed their answer to the petition for review in
Vergara v. California with the California Supreme Court.
Failed Vergara Suit Backers in Supreme Court Gambit
Statement from CFT President Joshua Pechthalt
We learned today that that David Welch and Students Matter have filed an appeal to the California Supreme Court in their failed Vergara v. California lawsuit. We are disappointed but not surprised that they are continuing to spend large sums of money on the suit and the PR campaign attached to it smearing teachers and public education.