California Continuation Education Association Document

TO:          ACSA Leadership and Members
                Interested Parties

FROM:    Brett McFadden, ACSA Lobbyist

RE:          LEGISLATIVE ACTION:  SAMPLE TALKING POINTS

Well my last update did promise you'd get some sample talking points quickly... so here they are.  These have been "borrowed" from the Education Coalition with some minor modifications.  Please use these as part of your local legislative and press advocacy.  These talking points can be used for discussion and/or for letter writing. 

SUGGESTED ADVOCACY ACTIONS

Here are some suggestions for regional, charter and individual advocacy (actions should be taken ASAP):

1.  Write to your local legislators
2.  Schedule a meeting with them in their local offices individually or with other ACSA members
3.  If authorized, contact your local press and urge coverage in TV, radio and print mediums.  Use local examples of what impact mid-year cuts will have on your district and students.
4. Join with local parent, teacher and business groups in advocacy efforts.

SAMPLE TALKING POINTS

- In responsive to public outcry, California has significantly increased its investment in public education.  This investment is paying off.  Student achievement has increased and test scores continue to rise. Cutting education funding now will destroy our momentum and roll back efforts to improve student performance - particularly for disadvantaged students. We cannot afford to force our public schools into an education recession.

- Public education remains the top priority for California voters.  In the November 2002 elections, voters overwhelmingly agreed that they want to invest more in our public schools - not less.

- There is no "over-appropriation" of public education funding.  In fact, more than $3.1 billion was recently cut from our public schools to help the state balance the budget between last year and this year.  Any additional education cuts will directly impact students, classrooms and schools.

- Any cuts to public education - particularly immediate, mid-year reductions - will directly impact students, classrooms and schools.  In order to save the amount of money being discussed for the current budget year, the state would have to shorten the school year by two full weeks, layoff more than 35,000 teachers or cut spending by more than $300 per student.

- Any efforts to deal with this year's budget shortfall must not be taken in isolation.  California needs a comprehensive plan to resolve the state's fiscal crisis and to address the immediate and future needs of our students and schools.  We should not look at this crisis in piecemeal, but rather as a structural, multi-year problem.

- The Education Community recognizes the severity of the budget crisis and is prepared to work with the Governor, Legislative leaders and others to craft a comprehensive proposal that protects the financial integrity of the state and maintains the momentum for improved student achievement.  We are not prepared, however, to sustain $1.8 billion in cuts and jeopardize all the progress that has been made.