The EASTIN Pledge

By Delaine Eastin

Delaine Eastin has been leading the fight to restore school funding to the national average. California, which ranked fifth in per pupil spending in 1965, now ranks near the bottom -- nearly $1,000 below the national average.

The EASTIN Pledge

California, which ranked fifth in the nation in per pupil spending in 1965, now ranks near the bottom -- nearly $1,000 below the national average. As recently as the mid-1980's, we were in the middle of the pack. But starting in 1988, California began a precipitous decline in school funding. In fact, when you account for the cost of living in California, we are dead last in dollars spent per pupil.

That's why I recently challenged the candidates for governor -- all of whom are making education their number one campaign issue -- to join me in pledging to raise school funding to the national average over the next five years. I've extended the challenge to all candidates for public office and to all state legislators.

The message is simple. We need to make children our number one priority -- in deed as well as word. Please join me in urging all candidates for public office to sign the EASTIN Pledge to give California's children the schools they deserve.