The firmest foundation: Full funding for schools

Independent education foundations have been around for a long time, and no one would question they serve a useful purpose for schools. What is troubling is that, in this era of grossly inadequate funding for education, the needs that foundations have historically addressed have shifted from providing “the extras,” such as band uniforms or field trips, to basic classroom supplies and—alarmingly—teachers’ salaries.

CSBA is pursuing an aggressive campaign to motivate the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to resolve this problem, and to inform and educate the public about the dire implications for California. The state ranks 46th out of the 50 states in per-pupil funding, while at the same time holding students to some of the highest educational standards in the nation.

Toward that end, CSBA has teamed with several partners in two interrelated endeavors: the School Finance Exploration Project and Learn More California.

CSBA, in partnership with the League of Women Voters California Education Fund, the California State PTA and Children Now, created the School Finance Exploration Project in 2005. Supported by grants from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the project works with key constituency groups and policymakers to develop and refine a balanced set of education policy proposals, conduct outreach activities and develop resources to educate and mobilize local school and community leaders.

Learn More California is a joint effort of CSBA and the Association of California School Administrators. The objective is to give communities throughout the state greater confidence in public schools and their fiscal priorities; inform those communities about the restraints the state places on education dollars; and empower community members with a good understanding about how reform and resources can support their community vision for schools, so that they can participate effectively in education reform discussions.

More information and resources are on CSBA’s Web page on Adequacy:
www.csba.org/EducationIssues/EducationIssues/Adequacy.aspx.

—Marsha Boutelle