This Week's Education Coalition “Reality Check”: 15,500 Pink Slips Issued to Teachers, Reading Programs Eliminated, Class Size Reduction Programs Slashed, Music Programs Gone

The budget deal passed by state lawmakers and signed by the Governor includes deep cuts to education unlike any we have seen in our state’s history, to the tune of $11.6 billion dollars in cuts to K-12 public schools alone.

Time and again, the Education Coalition has tried to explain the magnitude of these cuts and how they will directly impact students, but every day that reality becomes even more stark. That’s why we’re issuing a weekly “Reality Check” to highlight some the consequences of these devastating cuts.

As of this week – 15,495 pink slips have been issued to California’s teachers as well as 9,000 layoff notices sent to bus drivers, custodians, food service workers and other school employees.

According to the Orange County Register (2/24/09): $16 million in cuts to the Fullerton School District will result in a 20 percent reduction in gifted and talented programs, eliminating all elementary music programs, cutting school psychologists, school nurses, counselors and special education teachers.

According to the Los Angeles Times (2/23/09): The Saddleback Valley Unified School District may have to eliminate a critical reading program that helps struggling students, along with sports teams, smaller class sizes and school librarians.

According to the Contra Costa Times (2/25/09): The Pleasanton School District must cut its Barton Reading program and reading specialists by 50 percent, class sizes will increase, library assistants and technology specialists will be eliminated, and athletic stipends for coaches will be axed.

According to the Daily Journal (2/26/09): The San Mateo Union High School District is considering cutting athletics, increasing bus fees and shortening the school day by eliminating seventh-period.