940362310 · CA ↑ parent cluster ·
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CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

CA · EIN 940362310 · $224.2M rev · advocacy · infrastructure · www.cta.org
profile

California Teachers Association (CTA) is a statewide advocacy organization representing educators and retirees in California. It advances the interests of public education professionals through policy influence, legal advocacy, and member services. CTA supports active and retired educators by promoting retirement security, professional rights, and student support services, while also offering benefits and resources to its members.

activities · 90

what they do

direct service · 24
  • Communication and advocacy publication
    Publishes The CCA Advocate four times per year, featuring member stories, news, advocacy updates, and faculty resources for community college educators.
  • Communication and member engagement through publications
    Publishes The CCA Advocate four times per year, featuring member stories, news, advocacy updates, and faculty resources to support communication and engagement within the community college faculty community.
  • Provides $1 million liability insurance and legal protection for members during teacher preparation, and offers emergency grants to members experiencing economic hardship due to damage to their classroom or primary residence.
  • Direct support services for members Teacher Liability Insurance & Legal Protection
    Provides $1,000,000 liability insurance and legal protection for members during teacher preparation and offers emergency grants to members experiencing economic hardship due to damage to their classroom or primary residence.
  • Emergency financial assistance for members Emergency Financial Relief for Professionals
    Provides grants to CTA members who experience economic hardship due to damage to their classroom or primary residence.
  • Emergency financial assistance for members Emergency Financial Relief for Professionals
    Provides grants to CTA members experiencing economic hardship due to damage to their classroom or primary residence.
  • Provides grants to CTA members experiencing economic hardship due to damage to their classroom or primary residence.
  • Legal and Liability Protection for Members Teacher Liability Insurance & Legal Protection
    Provides $1,000,000 liability insurance and legal protection for members, particularly those working with students during teacher preparation.
  • Legal and liability protection for members Teacher Liability Insurance & Legal Protection
    Provides $1,000,000 liability insurance and legal protection for members engaged in student teaching and other professional duties.
  • Legal and liability protection for members Teacher Liability Insurance & Legal Protection
    Provides $1,000,000 liability insurance and legal protection for members, particularly those working with students during teacher preparation programs.
  • Member Representation and Services Union Representation for School Employees
    Represents the interests of 310,000 educators across California, including retired educators and those in community colleges, providing liability insurance, legal protection, and grants for economic hardship.
  • Publication of The CCA Advocate
    Publishes The CCA Advocate four times per year, featuring member stories, news, advocacy updates, and faculty resources for community college members.
  • Publication of The CCA Advocate
    Publishes The CCA Advocate four times annually, featuring member stories, news, advocacy updates, and faculty resources for community college members.
  • School Library and Literacy Support School Library & Literacy Support Services
    Supports student literacy and information literacy through collaboration with teachers, instruction in research and technology skills, and development of school library collections.
  • Statewide student impact and service
    Serves over 6 million students in California across public education, supporting academic success in more than 1,100 school districts.
  • Statewide student representation
    Serves over 6 million students across California’s K–12 public education system through advocacy, support, and representation across 1,100 school districts.
  • Statewide student representation and academic support
    Serves over 6 million students across California’s K–12 public education system and supports students academically in more than 1,100 school districts.
  • Statewide student support and academic services
    Supports over 6 million students across California’s K–12 public education system through academic support services delivered in collaboration with educators across 1,100 school districts.
  • Student academic and mental health support School Library & Literacy Support Services
    Supports student literacy and information literacy through collaboration with teachers and library services, and provides multi-tiered mental health interventions including classroom lessons, small group and individual counseling, and crisis counseling in partnership with educators and staff.
  • Student academic and social-emotional support School Library & Literacy Support Services
    Supports student literacy and information literacy through collaboration with teachers, instruction in research and technology skills, and development of school library collections. Provides multi-tiered interventions including classroom lessons, small group and individual counseling, and crisis counseling in partnership with educators and staff.
  • Student literacy and library support School Library & Literacy Support Services
    Supports student literacy and information literacy through collaboration with teachers, instruction in research and technology skills, and development of school library collections.
  • Student mental health and counseling services School-Based Mental Health & Life Coaching
    Supports student well-being through multi-tiered interventions including classroom lessons, small group counseling, individual counseling, and crisis counseling in collaboration with educators, parents, and staff.
  • Student support services and academic interventions School-Based Mental Health & Life Coaching
    Delivers multi-tiered student support including classroom lessons, small group and individual counseling, and crisis counseling in collaboration with educators, parents, and staff to address academic and emotional needs.
  • Support for Student Social-Emotional and Academic Needs School Library & Literacy Support Services
    Provides multi-tiered interventions including counseling and classroom lessons, and supports student literacy and information literacy through collaboration with teachers and development of school library collections.
advocacy · 37
  • Advocacy for Educators' Rights and Quality Education Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Advocates for educators' rights, student access to quality education, public school funding, and specific legislation like the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act, engaging in lobbying, testifying, and supporting ballot initiatives.
  • Advocacy for Educators' Rights and Quality Education Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Advocates for educators' rights, student access to quality education, public school funding, and specific legislation like the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act, engaging in lobbying, testifying, and ballot initiative support.
  • Advocacy for public education funding and policy
    Advocates for securing public school funding in the state budget and lobbies on education-related legislation in Sacramento and Washington, DC, including issues related to testing, tuition, financial aid, and teacher credentialing standards.
  • Advocacy for public education funding and policy Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Advocates for securing public school funding in the state budget and influences education policy through lobbying, testimony before legislative bodies, and engagement with state agencies such as the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing on issues including teacher accreditation, credential standards, and testing.
  • Advocacy for public education funding and policy Public Education & Secular Advocacy
    Advocates for securing public school funding in the state budget and lobbies on education-related legislation in Sacramento and Washington, DC, including issues related to testing, tuition, financial aid, and teacher credentialing standards. Represents members before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing on accreditation and credential policies.
  • Advocacy for public education funding and policy Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Advocates for securing public school funding in the state budget and influences education policy through lobbying, testimony, and engagement with state bodies such as the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing on issues including teacher accreditation, credential standards, and testing.
  • Advocacy for public education funding and policy Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Advocates for securing public school funding in the state budget and influences education policy through lobbying, testimony before legislative bodies, and engagement with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing on issues such as accreditation, credential standards, and testing.
  • Advocacy for pupil support services and staffing ratios Social-Emotional Support Staff Advocacy
    Advocates for the establishment of Pupil Support Service Teams in every school district, composed of nurses, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and related professionals. Promotes specific student-to-staff ratios, including one nurse per 750 K-6 students and one per 100 special education students with medical needs.
  • Advocacy for pupil support services and staffing ratios Social-Emotional Support Staff Advocacy
    Advocates for the establishment of Pupil Support Service Teams in every school district and promotes specific student-to-staff ratios for nurses, psychologists, counselors, and other support professionals to meet student health and wellness needs.
  • Advocacy for social-emotional and mental health support in schools Social-Emotional Support Staff Advocacy
    Advocates for addressing students' social-emotional needs as foundational to learning and emphasizes the role of credentialed support staff in discipline and social competency programs.
  • Advocacy for social-emotional learning and student support Social-Emotional Support Staff Advocacy
    Advocates for addressing students' social-emotional needs as foundational to learning and emphasizes the role of credentialed support staff in discipline and social competency programs.
  • Advocacy for student social-emotional and mental health support Social-Emotional Support Staff Advocacy
    Advocates for addressing students' social-emotional needs as foundational to learning and emphasizes the role of credentialed support staff in discipline and social competency programs.
  • Annual recognition of Education Support Professionals Education Personnel Recognition Programs
    Organizes and celebrates CTA ESP Day annually in May to recognize the contributions of Education Support Professionals, with the 2026 event scheduled for May 19.
  • Legislative and ballot initiative advocacy Public Education & Secular Advocacy
    Organizes campaigns to support or pass specific legislation and ballot initiatives, including the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act and a statewide redistricting initiative, through member engagement and legislative outreach.
  • Legislative and policy advocacy for educator and student rights
    Advocates for the passage of specific legislation such as the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act and supports statewide initiatives like redistricting reform to protect democracy. Conducts surveys on issues like immigration enforcement at schools to inform policy positions.
  • Legislative and policy advocacy for educators and students Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Advocates for specific legislation such as the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act, supports statewide ballot initiatives like redistricting reform, and promotes policies including Pupil Support Service Teams and mandated student-to-staff ratios for support personnel.
  • Legislative and policy advocacy for educators and students Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Leads advocacy campaigns for specific legislation such as the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act, supports statewide ballot initiatives like redistricting reform, and promotes student support services including mandated Pupil Support Service Teams and appropriate student-to-staff ratios for health and counseling personnel.
  • Legislative and policy advocacy for educators and students Legislative & Policy Advocacy for Education and Child Welfare
    Advocates for specific legislation such as the Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act, supports statewide ballot initiatives like redistricting reform, and promotes student support services including mandated Pupil Support Service Teams and appropriate student-to-staff ratios for health and counseling personnel.
  • Recognition of education support professionals Professional and Organizational Achievement Awards
    Organizes and celebrates CTA ESP Day annually in May to recognize Education Support Professionals, with the 2026 event scheduled for May 19, and honors outstanding contributors through the Paula J. Monroe ESP of the Year award.
  • Recognition of education support professionals Professional and Organizational Achievement Awards
    Annually recognizes outstanding Education Support Professionals through the Paula J. Monroe ESP of the Year award and celebrates CTA ESP Day each May, with the 2026 event scheduled for May 19.
  • Representation and advocacy for community college educators and students
    Represents members across 72 community college districts and 112 colleges, serving 2.8 million students—73% of all students in California higher education—and advocates for their interests in policy and funding decisions.
  • Representation of Retired Educators Policy Representation for Retired Educators
    Represents the interests of retired educators on CTA's State Council of Education, influencing policy decisions.
  • Representation of community college educators and students
    Represents members across 72 community college districts and 112 community colleges, advocating for faculty interests and serving 2.8 million students, which represents 73% of all students in California higher education.
  • Representation of community college educators and students
    Represents members across 72 community college districts and 112 community colleges, advocating for faculty and serving a student population of 2.8 million, which accounts for 73% of all students in California higher education.
  • Representation of community college educators and students
    Represents members across 72 community college districts and 112 colleges, advocating for faculty and serving a student population of 2.8 million, which constitutes 73% of all students in California higher education.
  • Representation of retired educators Policy Representation for Retired Educators
    Represents the interests of retired educators through participation in CTA's State Council of Education, a policy-making body.
  • Representation of retired educators Policy Representation for Retired Educators
    Advocates for retired educators by representing their interests on CTA’s State Council of Education, a key policy-making body.
  • Representation of retired educators Policy Representation for Retired Educators
    Represents retired educators' interests through participation in CTA's State Council of Education, a policy-making body.
  • Research and data collection to inform advocacy
    Conducts surveys on critical issues such as immigration enforcement in schools to shape and strengthen policy advocacy efforts.
  • Retired educator representation Policy Representation for Retired Educators
    Represents the interests of retired educators through participation in CTA's State Council of Education, a policy-making body.
  • Student Support Services Advocacy Social-Emotional Support Staff Advocacy
    Advocates for the establishment of Pupil Support Service Teams in schools and specific student-to-staff ratios for nurses and other support personnel to address students' social-emotional needs and provide multi-tiered interventions.
  • Support for LGBTQIA+ Students and Educators LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Schools
    Organizes and promotes support for LGBTQIA+ students and educators through pledge campaigns and other initiatives.
  • Support for LGBTQIA+ and equity initiatives LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Schools
    Organizes pledge campaigns and advocacy efforts to support LGBTQIA+ students and educators, and provides recognition through awards such as the GLBT Award and Ethnic Minority Award. Emphasizes inclusion of credentialed support staff in social competency and discipline programs.
  • Support for LGBTQIA+ and inclusive education LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Schools
    Organizes pledge campaigns and advocacy efforts to support LGBTQIA+ students and educators, and promotes inclusion through awards and recognition programs focused on equity and diversity.
  • Support for LGBTQIA+ and inclusive education LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Schools
    Organizes pledge campaigns and advocacy efforts to support LGBTQIA+ students and educators, promoting inclusion and equity in schools.
  • Support for LGBTQIA+ and inclusive education LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Schools
    Organizes pledge campaigns and member engagement efforts to support LGBTQIA+ students and educators, and presents awards recognizing diversity and equity efforts including the GLBT Award and Ethnic Minority Award.
  • Support for LGBTQIA+ students and educators LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Schools
    Organizes pledge campaigns and advocacy efforts to support and affirm LGBTQIA+ students and educators, promoting inclusion and equity in schools.
research · 2
  • Research and data collection for advocacy
    Conducts surveys, such as on immigration enforcement at schools, to inform and strengthen advocacy efforts.
  • Survey research to inform advocacy
    Conducts surveys on critical issues such as immigration enforcement in schools to gather data and inform policy advocacy efforts.
capacity building · 27
  • Grants, scholarships, and awards for members Professional Certification Support Programs
    Offers educational scholarships, grants, and a range of awards—including Membership Development Grants, Faculty Equity and Diversity Awards, and Part-Time Faculty Award—to support and recognize members and their dependents.
  • Grants, scholarships, and awards for members Professional Certification Support Programs
    Offers educational scholarships, grants, and awards to members and their dependents, including Membership Development Grants, Faculty Equity and Diversity Awards, and recognition at the CTA Aspiring Educators Representative Assembly.
  • Grants, scholarships, and member recognition programs Professional Certification Support Programs
    Offers educational scholarships, grants, and awards to members and their dependents, including Membership Development Grants and equity-focused awards, and recognizes outstanding contributions through programs like the Paula J. Monroe ESP of the Year award.
  • Grants, scholarships, and member recognition programs Professional Certification Support Programs
    Offers educational scholarships, grants, and awards to members and their dependents, including Membership Development Grants and awards for equity, diversity, and part-time faculty. Recognizes outstanding contributions through annual awards such as the Paula J. Monroe ESP of the Year.
  • Instructional and planning resources for teachers
    Provides teaching resources, lesson plans, and planning tools through the Instruction and Professional Development Department to support classroom instruction and curriculum development.
  • Leadership Development for Community College Representatives Student Success Research & Leadership Networks
    Operates the California Leadership Academy to enhance leadership skills, union knowledge, and understanding of statewide organizations for community college representatives.
  • Leadership Development for Community College Representatives Student Success Research & Leadership Networks
    Operates the California Leadership Academy to develop leadership skills, union knowledge, and understanding of statewide organizations among community college representatives.
  • Leadership development for Education Support Professionals (ESPs) Professional and Organizational Achievement Awards
    Offers the annual ESP Leadership Academy to prepare ESP members for leadership roles within local CTA chapters and recognizes their contributions through the Paula J. Monroe ESP of the Year award and annual CTA ESP Day.
  • Leadership development through local chapters Local Chapter Network Operations
    Operates more than 1,100 local chapters across California school districts to support member engagement, leadership development, and union organizing.
  • Local chapter infrastructure and engagement Local Chapter Network Operations
    Operates more than 1,100 local chapters across California school districts to support membership engagement, collective bargaining, and advocacy at the local level.
  • Local chapter infrastructure and membership engagement Local Chapter Network Operations
    Operates more than 1,100 local chapters across California school districts to support membership engagement, collective bargaining, and local advocacy efforts.
  • New educator support and leadership development Educator Professional Development Programs
    Supports new and aspiring educators through the New Educator Weekend conference, personal and professional development opportunities, and the annual ESP Leadership Academy for Education Support Professionals.
  • Professional Development and Training for Educators Educator Professional Development Programs
    Offers professional development opportunities, including conferences (like New Educator Weekend and Good Teaching Conference), ongoing trainings, and resources such as lesson plans and planning tools, to support educators' lifelong learning and teaching practices.
  • Professional Development and Training for Educators Educator Professional Development Programs
    Offers professional development opportunities, including conferences like New Educator Weekend and Good Teaching Conference, ongoing trainings, and resources such as lesson plans and planning tools, to support educators' lifelong learning and teaching practices.
  • Professional development and leadership training Educator Professional Development Programs
    Provides ongoing professional development through conferences, trainings, and leadership academies, including the New Educator Weekend, the California Leadership Academy, and the annual ESP Leadership Academy to prepare members for leadership roles in local chapters.
  • Professional development and training for educators Educator Professional Development Programs
    Provides ongoing professional development through conferences, peer-to-peer instruction, and training programs such as the Good Teaching Conference and New Educator Weekend to support teaching practices and collaboration among educators.
  • Professional development and training for educators Educator Professional Development Programs
    Provides ongoing professional development opportunities, including conferences, trainings, and peer-to-peer instruction through events like the Good Teaching Conference, New Educator Weekend, and annual leadership academies for Education Support Professionals.
  • Professional development and training for educators Educator Professional Development Programs
    Provides ongoing professional development opportunities including conferences, trainings, peer-to-peer instruction through events like the Good Teaching Conference, and leadership development programs for community college representatives through the California Leadership Academy.
  • Scholarships, Grants, and Awards for Members Member-Focused Professional Development Scholarships
    Provides educational scholarships, grants, and various awards to members and their dependents, recognizing contributions and supporting professional development and leadership within the organization.
  • Scholarships, Grants, and Awards for Members Member-Focused Professional Development Scholarships
    Offers educational scholarships, grants, and various awards to members and their dependents, recognizing contributions and supporting professional and personal development.
  • Support for Education Support Professionals (ESPs) Professional and Organizational Achievement Awards
    Recognizes and celebrates Education Support Professionals through annual awards and dedicated events, and offers leadership training through the ESP Leadership Academy.
  • Support for Education Support Professionals (ESPs) Student-Athlete and Educator Recognition Programs
    Recognizes and supports Education Support Professionals through annual awards, dedicated recognition days, and leadership training academies to foster their development and involvement in local chapters.
  • Support for aspiring and new educators Educator Professional Development Programs
    Provides personal and professional development opportunities for aspiring educators through membership, hosts the annual CTA Aspiring Educators Representative Assembly, and supports new educators through dedicated conferences and peer networks.
  • Support for aspiring educators Educator Professional Development Programs
    Provides personal and professional development opportunities, grants, and awards to aspiring educators through membership programs and the annual CTA Aspiring Educators Representative Assembly.
  • Teaching resources and instructional support
    Provides teaching resources, lesson plans, and planning tools through the Instruction and Professional Development Department to support educators in curriculum delivery and student learning.
  • Teaching resources and instructional support School Library & Literacy Support Services
    Provides educators with teaching resources, lesson plans, planning tools, and library-based support for student literacy and information literacy, including instruction in research and technology skills.
  • Teaching resources and peer-to-peer instruction Educator Professional Development Programs
    Provides teaching resources, lesson plans, and planning tools through the Instruction and Professional Development Department, and supports peer-to-peer learning through events like the Good Teaching Conference.
strategies · 39

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.

named programs · 8

what they call their work

CTA/NEA-Retired
A membership community for retired educators that advocates for retirement security, provides benefits, and fosters social connection through local chapters
CTA/NEA-Retired Gloria Pedretti Credential Candidate Scholarships
Provides $1,500 scholarships to individuals seeking teaching credentials for Pre-K through 12th grade
Gloria Pedretti Credential Candidate Scholarships
$1,500 scholarships for individuals seeking teaching credentials for Pre-K through 12th grade
Pupil Support Service Team
Advocacy for multidisciplinary school-based teams including nurses, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and speech therapists to support student well-being
Retired Issues Conference
Annual conference for retired educators to engage in policy discussions, leadership development, and networking
Sharilynn Gardella Russo Memorial Scholarships
$1,000 scholarships for students pursuing careers in speech pathology or audiology in public education
Student Support Services
Advocates for comprehensive student support through school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other credentialed professionals
Student Support Services Committee
Committee that develops policy recommendations on school counseling, nursing, psychology, social work, library services, and related areas
relationships · 15

who they work with

  • ASCD Partner — Collaborates with ASCD in promoting the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model.
  • California Department of Education Government — Administers the California Teachers of the Year program in partnership with CTA.
  • California Teachers Association Network — CTA is the organization itself, representing educators across California.
  • Community College Association Partner — Statewide affiliate of CTA representing community college faculty and staff across California.
  • Community College Association Partner — Statewide affiliate of CTA representing members in 72 community college districts and 112 community colleges.
  • NEA Network — Participates in NEA programs including the NEA ESP Conference, NEA ESP Leadership Institute, and NEA Paraeducator Institute.
  • NEA Partner — Collaborates on resources and advocacy initiatives for educators, including advice for new teachers and LGBTQIA+ support pledges.
  • NEA Partner — Partner organization in advocating for community college faculty and supporting initiatives such as Degrees Not Debt.
  • NEA Aspiring Educators Network — Member of the NEA Aspiring Educators Program, the national voice for the next generation of educators.
  • NEA Member Benefits Partner — Collaborates with NEA Member Benefits to provide savings and financial programs to CTA members.
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network Network — References and aligns with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s definitions and resources on child trauma.
  • National Education Association Network — CTA members participate in NEA-led initiatives such as the pledge to support LGBTQIA+ students and educators.
  • State Superintendent of Public Instruction Government — CTA recommends candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
  • UC San Francisco’s Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS) Partner — Collaborates with UCSF HEARTS to promote trauma-informed, safe, and supportive school environments.
  • US Centers for Disease Control Government — Implements the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model developed by the CDC.