The strike helped fuel a nationwide wave of activism and drew attention to what many say is a lack of resources supporting public schools. Class sizes, more hiringDuring the strike, teachers forcefully called for much smaller classes to improve achievement, as well as for more school nurses and counselors. “It really changed the environment in school after school after school — where teachers had more pride, more respect,” said Kent Wong, director of the UCLA Labor Center. “While last year’s teacher strike brought needed attention to funding gaps that exist for all public schools, it also unfairly scapegoated charter schools,” said Myrna Castrejón, head of the California Charter Schools Assn. Right after the strike, teachers campaigned on behalf of Jackie Goldberg to fill a vacant school board seat.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 21, 2020 12:56 UTC