The State : ‘Revolution’ in Schools Urged

Saying “nothing short of a top-to-bottom revolution” is needed in California schools, the Assn. of California School Administrators called for more money, less red tape, greater local control and an end to union bickering. The association released a report that recommends amending the state Constitution to alter state spending limits, allow multi-year state education budgets and put California in the top 10 states for per-student spending. The report calls for less regulation so that parents can choose their children’s schools and local districts can determine for themselves how to meet state performance standards. It also proposes better training and credentialing of principals, raising teacher salaries, encouraging teacher participation in decision-making and limiting teacher contract negotiations to make teacher-administrator relationships less adversary. The report is the result of a two-year study by a panel of 20 education and business leaders.