California Teachers Association

The California Teachers Association (CTA) is a prominent non-profit educational organization and teachers' union in California. Founded in 1863, it is one of the largest and most influential teachers' unions in the state.

History

The CTA was initially established as the California Educational Society by Superintendent of Public Instruction John Swett with fewer than 100 members, all male. Over time, it evolved into the California Teachers Association in 1875. Early achievements include securing free public schools for all children in 1866, including those for students of color, and prohibiting public school funding for sectarian religious purposes by 1879.

Mission and Goals

The CTA aims to protect and promote the well-being of its members while improving the conditions of teaching and learning. It supports the advancement of free, universal, and quality public education for all students and works to ensure the dignity and civil rights of all individuals are respected. Some key goals include enhancing the quality of education, bargaining for salaries and employment rights, influencing government policies related to education, and developing professional and career opportunities for educators.

Achievements

Some notable achievements of the CTA include sponsoring the Rodda Act in 1975, which granted collective bargaining rights to California educators, and supporting Proposition 98 in 1988, a landmark law that guarantees a significant portion of the state's budget for schools and community colleges. The CTA has also been instrumental in advocating for increased funding for public education and opposing various initiatives that could undermine educators' rights or public school funding.

Membership and Affiliations

The CTA has over 300,000 members, including teachers, counselors, librarians, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and other education professionals. It is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), making it part of one of the largest labor unions in the United States.

Student Organization

The CTA also supports the Student California Teachers Association (SCTA), a pre-professional organization for college students pursuing careers in education. The SCTA provides tools and information necessary for students to become part of the education profession.

Organizational Structure

The CTA operates with a democratic governance structure, where members elect representatives to the State Council of Education, the organization's highest governing body. This council sets policies, adopts budgets, and determines dues. The CTA's leadership includes an elected president and other executive officers.