Wilson Finally Gets It

California’s public school children can now count on a few more books, a few more computers, some safer campuses and other long-overdue improvements. After months of unnecessary delay, Gov. Pete Wilson has accepted $42 million in federal Goals 2000 money, overcoming his concern that strings might be attached. More than 200 California school districts will benefit.

Goals 2000 funds aim to raise academic standards, prepare children for reading, improve math and science classes, keep students in school, promote parental involvement and safeguard campuses against drugs, guns and violence.

In Los Angeles County, school districts will share about $9 million; Orange County schools expect about $2 million and Ventura County schools will receive about $900,000. More than 500,000 students will be affected in the three counties.

The L.A. Unified School District will spend $3 million in GOALS 2000 funds to attempt to implement LEARN reforms, raise student achievement and reduce the dropout rate. In the South Bay, seven school districts will integrate computer technology into a new curriculum on the environment. Ventura County funds will be targeted on math instruction, literacy programs for poor students and preparing preschoolers for kindergarten. These are sound educational goals, and programs to achieve them should have been started sooner.

U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley finally persuaded Wilson to accept the money by assuring in writing that there would be no federal strings attached. These funds are good news for California’s kids.