A recent survey of 41 different state boards of education revealed that officials from 28 states indicate that they are experiencing teacher shortages. The shortages in some states are significant. While the teacher shortage in many states is tied to different factors, one frequently cited reason for leaving the teaching profession is low pay.…

Key findings from the current survey: (1) Most Californians say charter schools are an important option for parents in low-income areas--but many express concern that charters divert funding from traditional public schools; (2) More than half of residents across regions say teacher salaries in their community are too low; and (3) Majorities…

The academic year began with a bang last fall at the University of California (UC). A series of bangs, actually, featuring a united front of students, staff, and faculty in a coordinated series of walkouts and strikes across the system's ten campuses. The target of their outrage was a series of draconian layoffs, wage cuts, and drastic tuition…

From November 6, 1968, to March 21, 1969, the Black Student Union and the Third World Liberation Front led a strike to demand San Francisco State College--now called San Francisco State University (SFSU)--admit and enroll more students of color, hire more minority faculty, and create a School of Ethnic Studies. The strike made an enormous impact…

The major results are described of an historical/legal study of statewide legislative and judicial decisions tracing changes in California's state policies regarding teacher labor relations from 1930 to 1975. The central research questions dealt with identifying specific public policy changes, events surrounding these changes, positions taken by…

The purpose of this report is to better determine the level of general public trust in public higher education and the content of published articles in the press that may influence and reflect public confidence. By conducting a six-month media scan of four California newspapers, an overview is provided of the key concerns and issues facing higher…