Proposed cut in California school days alarms educators

Educators are alarmed over a proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to lop five days off the school year, a cut that would save the state $1.1 billion.

A Schwarzenegger spokesman said the proposal, which would take effect in the 2009-10 school year if approved by the Legislature, was suggested by school district leaders in the fall as a less painful cut than some others.

But this week, state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell labeled the proposal "devastating.” Pasadena Unified Supt. Edwin Diaz noted that while some wealthier districts can dip into reserves to fund the five days, his cash-strapped district cannot afford to.

Schooling requirements are set by the states, and California requires 175 days of instruction, although an annual fiscal incentive created in 1983 means most districts actually have 180 days. If Schwarzenegger’s proposal goes forward, California would join Kentucky, North Dakota and six other states that do not require children to be in school for at least 180 days.

Many nations require far more; Indian and Chinese students spend weeks more in the classroom every year.

--Seema Mehta

Follow this link for full coverage of the reaction to the governor's education proposal.

Photo credit: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Chris]

While we're at it, why not cut the pork from the upper echelon of LA unified.

[Jorge Swaby]

It's funny when Politicians run for office they always say how more money for schools are needed. Now the first thing they want to cut is school budgets, if that is the case how bout getting rid of some of these administrators that aren't needed. What California needs is to get rid of the Governor and all the Legislators as they can't even sit down and hash out a budget but like children pout. They want to give IOU's but if a citizen is unemployed they would be harassing and charging them interest but we are suppose to accept their IOU's because they can't agree on a budget, vote the Bozo's out now.

[Lisa]

Well I guess that just about sums up why all six of my children are in private school and we have to then struggle to live in Southern California....maybe next california won"t require school at all.

[J]

I say cut the school year down even more. It's not as though California's public schools actually teach anything.

They're really just state-funded daycare centers. And, given the drugs and violence in many of them, they're not even very good as those.

[Jose Rincon]

Where is Californian heading?
No seriously, we all have to ask ourselves where we see California in 10-20 years from today. Education is suffering, the brain of California is suffering, what's going to happen to our children?
1. Drop-out rates will increase due to class overpopulation
2. Crime rates are going to increase because those who drop-out...
a. can't get a job
b. their skills are poor and can't get a good job
c. theft is the short-term solution
3. Less students will be able to go to college because they will not be sufficiently prepared to meet the university requirements.

Why is education the scapegoat of California's problem? The State needs money, take it from education, there is a deficit, take it from education, the state owes money, take it from education. Enough is Enough, republicans and democrats are hurting the future of the state, they are ruining the future of our children. Stop. Leave education alone, raise taxes, raise the hell out of them. I don't care, I don't mind, we're not going to have a revolution over raising taxes, yes, people will get pissed off, but what, who cares? I rather pay now, than pay much MUCH more many years from now.

[OldRedJoe]

Hey, you can have a 50% drop out rate at 150 days a year!

[Edumacation]

I don't think reducing the school year by 5 days is really going to hurt the childrens education any. It seems that every time you turn around, there is a teachers workshop day, holiday or some other bogus day kids are off for. Two weeks for Xmas vacation? Education in K-12 is a joke in Ca. If you want to see a real education system at work, go to Japan. These kids are impressive and Japan spends far less money then we do to educate them. Kids in Japan are under a lot of pressure to do well or they will not reap the benefits later in life. I'm tired of having my kids not receive the education they should be getting. Our property tax rates do not justify what the teachers, districs etc. receive in salaries. Ca. teachers are the highest paid in the nation and for what? Also, every time my kids say, dad, I need x amount of money for this project etc.? What is our money going towards? Over crowding, don't think so. Too many liberals in this state and the California Teachers Association and Unions arn't helping either. When this school year is over, I'm going to put them in private school or home tutoring. The kids that come to my house to visit with my kids are pretty sad, all they understand is Ipods, cell phones and computer games. I limit my kids on these items. Home work is a priority in my house before anything else. Education is important, without it, these kids today won't survive the future.

[Mighty Design Studio]

The reason Schools are a problem financially in California is because the state spends half of the money it collects on schools.

Personally I feel the Governor needs to remove the Stem Cell Research bill he signed. If we can't afford it we can't shouldn't spend more. I heard under his watch California increased it's spending by 40%, well lets start by cutting back that 40% we can't afford. Also remove the money spent on cleaning the air in california that promises a .01 of a percent improvement. We can't afford it.

[Running]

Why not make all high schoolers attend school 4 instead of 5 days? High school aged children are capable of getting themselves to school so day care issues are not a consideration. This would even work to relieve traffic!

[troy]

Why blame teachers? Aren't we allowed to make a living like anyone else? Ever stop to think that maybe parents whom don't raise their kids right just might be the problem?

Ignorance is truly bliss.

[southoc]

Schools are part of the problem. We are the welfare system for Mexico.

[gwalkamole]

A few points:
First, california requires teachers to hit certain state standards. It's an extensive list and there's barely enough time to cover them as it is. Which ones will the legislature make optional? What don't kids need to know?
Second, days and days worth of instruction are sacrificed to standardized testing. The scores are going up, including among language learners. The tests themselves cost hundreds of millions when you include the salaries of those who are forced not to teach as the tests are administered. Can we take a break from these?
Third, as California and the Feds seek to increase accountability, districts and individual schools are forced to load up on "compliance" consultants. There is always talk of simplifying the tax code. What about the Education Code?
Let teachers teach. Give them the resources and kids will learn. Siphon it off to desk jockeys and you waste it. Pretty simple.

[darth zoon]

that is just what the world needs... why bother going to school when you can make 10K a week selling crank for the CIA. the only thing you need to win in this world is to learn how to hate. love = weakness. California is dying because they are weak! accept that you are weak. If SoCal falls it is just a matter of time before the whole poker game folds. my advice is to buckle your seat belt because this is going to be a bumpy ride. God's speed Arnold, the world needs a hero right now.

[Angry as Heck]

I am sick and tired of teachers being the scapegoats to a failing educational system. We see our students for a limited part of the day. Education continues at home. If a parent does not take responsibility to make sure that his/her child is doing his/her homework and being a responsible student then chances are he/she is failing his/her classes. My most successful students are the ones with parent involvement. Their parents make sure they complete their homework, return my calls, and make sure that their child is doing well in school. This is the problem with America. Everyone looks to place the blame on someone or something else. How about working TOGETHER as a COMMUNITY to help our children? Now that is a novel idea!

[c]

In response to Edumacation, yes, California has high teacher salaries compared to many other states, but California also has a much higher cost of living. For example, Michigan's average teacher salary is about $1500 per year less than California, but it costs a whole lot less to live there!

What you should really look at is how much California spends on education compared to the other states - we are 34th in per student spending, and 48th in teacher:student ratio. Yikes! Not to mention that no other state limits its property tax income like we do with Prop 13. Bundle all of this with our terrible budgeting process and you don't really have to wonder why we are having a crisis.

[Deal with it]

How about doing like the rest of us and find ways to manage the money better. These times are not just affecting schools you know. For all the money being spent, you must admit that many many young people coming out of high schools can't even spell. It blows me away. Maybe schools should go back to basics.

[38 to 42 each class]

Those who do not work in the California education system really do not understand the real problems that teachers face every day. I am a teacher in a high need field with great qualifications. Each day I face a total lack of respect by the public's children. I have anywhere from 38 to 42 in each class. I teach an extra class for half the pay to reduce class size in my department. If I did not do this I could have seven more in each class. Have you ever been in a room with 42 to 49 15 year olds? Yes, I feel like a babysitter at times because it takes all of my energy to keep the kids from killing each other. Who is to blame? Everyone who is not in public education! At least I am in the fight! It is easy, easy to talk and talk. I say some of you give up your high paying jobs, go through all the crap I had to to get my certification and try to teach. I racked up enough credits to equal a doctorate. I'm at the top of the scale and I still can't even afford to buy even a tiny, tiny one bedroom condo.

Yes, I understand this was all my choice. But I was only thinking of helping out California, improving the world. Trying to help YOUR children to have a better life. I stress YOUR children because I had to give up on the idea of children because frankly I can't afford any.

I'm just about over it as of today! It is obvious by some of the comments on this page and also the comments by students today at school that I am seen as the problem and not the solution. This does not feel good.

Oh, did I mention that my school has been named a distinguished California school. I teach every day from bell to bell. I give home work. The kids learn, even if they don't want to learn. Yet... I have a plastic chair, I must clean my own room, there are bugs and leaks, the place smells and I'm sure if full of mold, the money for any type of supplies is gone for the year, class size is twice the size to work for the subject I teach, and I am short 6 student desks. I bought the DVD player and CD player, all of the cords, the printer, the vacuum, the cleaning materials, all the class decorations, anything extra... like dictionaries and teaching items because the text is faulty. After all of this, the rich kids in my school yell at me when I do not buy tissue for them to use or will not give them paper or pencils. Shouldn't a 16 year old know to bring these? They can drive a BMW to school, but not afford paper? At least thats what they tell me...

Well, as of today, since the district is still fighting over the contract for this year, I do not really have any type of contract anyone can hold me to. I am going to shopping my skills and find work someplace else. Someone else can take up the fight! How about one of you who write that the teacher suck. Don't think it will take long to find employment in Japan or the Middle East...

Good luck California!
A teacher

[Susie]

One thing we all should acknowledge...It's not the teachers doing, it's not their fault for any of this....Just like anything we have good ones and then we have other ones...But it's not either one's fault. I have a question when the Arnold was running for Gov didn't he say he would NOT mess with education? You know it's great he and Maria can afford to send their kids to great schools that won't be affected by cuts. He needs to take a GOOD LOOK at where else he can make cuts..Maybe starting with his staff, lowering his own salary, stop buying those post it notes...Education should be priority... Hey cut wealfare, there are so many people who take advantage of the system, not only do they get wealfare, but they work and don't report it or they are using stolen SS#'s .. There is a lot of Fraud in that.... He needs to look at the whole picture and not the education program...Be real Gov.

[Joe Dawson]

Education is the bait used to raise money which is then diverted to politicians, unions, lobbyists and non-education employment. We should have the option to support our schools locally and hire who we want to teach and administrate in them.

[mark]

I hope the edumacation is stil monitoring this board. She is sooo out of touch with the true hard facts of public education. I would encourage you to research property taxes in other states and perhaps look into how schools are funded. You do not realize how good you have it in property taxes there. Our current propert tax in CA is 5k per year. A house of LESS THAN HALF the value pays almost DOUBLE the property taxes in much of the northeast and even in the midwest. This translates directly into per pupil spending and teacher salaries which, by the way, are not even close to what some out of state school district are paying their teachers. California needs to reform the ed code and consider an increase in taxes to fix the budget crisis.

[Alma]

If any state needs MORE school days added instead of LESS, it's California. Kids are getting too many days off now for one thing or another. In the school district for the neighborhood I live in, for the last few years the kids get nearly three weeks off for winter break. Why? When I was a kid in the '70's, we got two weeks off for Christmas vacation(that was what it was called back then in less politically correct days)and that was enough! Now I find out that all the schools in my area are getting the whole week off that Thanksgiving falls on instead of just the two days. Ridiculous. Yes, the schools needed to lop off a few days off the school year due to budget cuts, but they couldn't sprinkle the days off required throughout the year? I wouldn't be surprised if when the state's economy is better, this weeklong Thanksgiving break will be in effect permanently. The kids(and their parents)who are serious about school are the ones suffering here; the kids who don't give a damn about school and who may drop out anyway are the ones rejoicing that they have all these extra days off; they don't care about budget cuts or the economy.