As California's Public Schools Open...
The challenges faced by California Public Schools are profound. The statistics I have seen are worrisome and point to a total neglect by State Leaders over the course of the last twenty years.
I have written about the continued plight of California in KP's sister site, Outsider Views. The committment to Educate has to be at the forefront of all other initaitives. Yet, the dismal record in California points to a massive effort towards divestment. Political leaders have talked a good talk. But, the reality is otherwise. Consider these two simple facts:
1) Out of 1077 School Districts in the State of California, 16% are on the State Department of Education Watch List;
2) California is 44th in per pupil spending
The problems in California are well known. California is yet to even have a budget. The good news, at least, is that there is some reasonable stability because most of the budgets were approved and are "supposedly" balanced. However, with the continued economic uncertainity, what is before us is yet to be determined. Whoever wins the Governship will have some major decisions to make?
I welcomed some good news, though. California was slated to receive a bit over 1.2 Billion Dollars to help save the jobs of teachers as a result of the jobs bill passed by the Congress. But, it seems as if such good news is few and far in between right now. The need to remain hopeful and upbeat is ever more important now.
I have written about the continued plight of California in KP's sister site, Outsider Views. The committment to Educate has to be at the forefront of all other initaitives. Yet, the dismal record in California points to a massive effort towards divestment. Political leaders have talked a good talk. But, the reality is otherwise. Consider these two simple facts:
1) Out of 1077 School Districts in the State of California, 16% are on the State Department of Education Watch List;
2) California is 44th in per pupil spending
The problems in California are well known. California is yet to even have a budget. The good news, at least, is that there is some reasonable stability because most of the budgets were approved and are "supposedly" balanced. However, with the continued economic uncertainity, what is before us is yet to be determined. Whoever wins the Governship will have some major decisions to make?
I welcomed some good news, though. California was slated to receive a bit over 1.2 Billion Dollars to help save the jobs of teachers as a result of the jobs bill passed by the Congress. But, it seems as if such good news is few and far in between right now. The need to remain hopeful and upbeat is ever more important now.
Mike Pouraryan
