RE: Question 1: Attracting and Retaining Teachers

By far the MOST important factor in retaining qualified individuals in the class is PAY. There is little financial incentive for a recent college grad or any seasoned professional to enter teaching.  Compound on top of that that the outrageous amounts of money it costs to get certified, and you can see how new teachers get burnt out and run from the profession.  This year alone I have had to pay over $3000 dollars of my $35,000 salary in fees, tests, and courses to secure a multiple subject credential. I've also spent about $1000 of my own money to support my classroom (in surveying fellow teachers this figure was about average).


We also need to start funding the state universities at much higher levels.  My first year at Cal State was $400/semester.  Five years later it was $1700.  I know the UC's suffered the same drastic reductions from the state in the last 10-12 years.  It's all tied together.  The state of our educational system starts at the bank, and this state has yet to even come close to the necessary funding levels for the k-16 system. 

Teachers and schools need drastic increases in their revenues in order for any true change to happen.  Equity, standards, and achievement are all tied to this.  I don't know how this plan can address these issues, but this state is spending more on corrections and prisons than on k-12 education.  How can this plan place education at the top of the states priorities?  There needs to be some legislative component to this that addresses and secures a higher percentage of state funds for the k-16 system.