Education Coalition Launches Ad Campaign

The campaign calls on state leaders to support the Stanford education study findings and

SACRAMENTO – The Education Coalition today launched a statewide television and radio advertising campaign calling on the Governor and the Legislature to invest in our children’s future and give our students the public schools they deserve.

The television and radio ads, which feature a teacher, parent and principal, highlight the findings of the recently released Stanford University studies that found California needs to increase education funding by at least 40 percent.

“It really is embarrassing that in a state as wealthy as California, our schools are so severely under-funded, especially when compared to other states with fewer resources,” said Dr. Kathy Kinley, president of the California School Boards Association. “These studies validate the reality that we need more resources and flexibility in our schools, and if we don’t act now, our students will continue to suffer.”

“These studies confirm what teachers and parents have witnessed for years. California public schools aren’t getting the resources they need to help all students succeed and meet the state goals we’ve set for them,” said Barbara E. Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association. “We all agree there must be some changes in our schools, but additional reforms without additional investments will not help our students or schools.”

“Parents are tired of California having the most overcrowded classrooms in America. We want class sizes that allow students to get the individual attention they need,” said California State PTA President Brenda Davis. “Parents also want to see important programs like art and music restored, as well as career and technical education programs.”

“Our schools have been making progress, and in order for those improvements to continue, California must make significant investments in public education. We need quality training for teachers, principals and classified school employees,” said Bob Wells, Executive Director of the Association of California School Administrators.

The ads feature teachers, Liane Cismowski and Gabriela DeLasse; principals Russ Ottey and Evelia Genera and public school parents Heather Sawyers and Martha Judith Garcia. The spots, which are in English, Spanish and four Asian languages, are running on more than 60 radio and television stations across the state.