California educators warn lawmakers about dangers of further cuts to schools

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Tracy Seipel, San Jose Mercury News

A blunt message was delivered to five members of the state Senate budget committee Friday at the valley's Microsoft campus: Either stop the cuts to public education or watch California's economy die, taking with it the success of Silicon Valley and the rest of the Bay Area.

Those dire warnings came from a panel of high-profile Bay Area educators and business leaders, who spent three frustrating hours describing what a future without a well-educated, well-trained workforce would look like here.

If poorly educated citizens can't adapt to an increasingly competitive global marketplace, local companies will continue to hire a smarter workforce outside the United States -- and possibly relocate their operations as well, the speakers said.

"By 2025, California will have a shortage of 1 million college graduates," said Mohammad Qayoumi, incoming president of San Jose State. "A lot of companies in our region will have no choice but to leave because they won't find the level of employees and college graduates they are looking for."

Full story: http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_18012639

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1. boomer age teachers are getting ready to retire enmasse so wrecking the schools will be easier since

teachers who know how to fight back will not be around to guide the younger hires. A perfect setup for the corporate race to top mob