Clinton Calls for Education Reform, Criticizes GOP

President Clinton finished his three-day trip to California on Friday at an experimental middle school he held as an example in a racially mixed neighborhood here and by taking swipes at his Republican opponents about education issues.

Earlier in Orange County, he had joined a professional basketball star in announcing a fund-raising drive by the Taco Bell Foundation to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Clinton waded into enthusiastic crowds in both areas, signing autographs and hugging babies.

Looking sunburned but buoyant, Clinton told 1,500 people at O’Farrell Community School in San Diego that the school embraces many reforms he has long advocated. As he did on other stops, Clinton was able to bring word of federal largess.

“Today I’m pleased to say that the Department of Education has granted $6 million to open schools like this in 11 states, including California,” Clinton said to cheers.

O’Farrell, which includes sixth to eighth grade, has been designated a charter school. The principal is called the chief educational officer, the teachers are “family leaders” and traditional grades are not used. Students are required to perform community service. So far, the changes have not translated into higher achievement levels among the 1,400 students.

In his introduction of the President, a father with two students at O’Farrell praised the school’s zero tolerance toward disruptive behavior.

“I believe in zero tolerance,” Clinton said. “And I thank you for that. I’m trying to get every place in the country to adopt that.”

The zero tolerance policy at O’Farrell is not as strict as the name might imply. Students bringing weapons to school are immediately expelled, but students using drugs are treated more leniently, and those who engage in fisticuffs are expelled after three fights in a year.