Eastin Rebuked for Endorsing National Tests

The president of the State Board of Education on Friday issued a sternly worded rebuke of California’s top elected school official, accusing her of exceeding her authority in an appearance this week at the White House.

The criticism of state Supt. of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin had to do with her endorsement of a Clinton administration plan for national tests of fourth-graders’ reading skills and eighth-graders’ math skills.

“Any endorsement given you by [Eastin] on behalf of the state exceeded her authority,” board President Yvonne W. Larsen of San Diego wrote in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. “. . . I must apologize for any embarrassment this causes you.”

Eastin was among a delegation of California parents, educators and business leaders who met Wednesday with President Clinton, and she said she made it clear that she did not have the final authority on whether the state eventually would participate in the pioneering testing program.

But some press accounts and even some comments by Clinton did not explain that it was the state board, not Eastin, who would make the decision whether to give the tests when they are available in 1999.

Larsen’s letter said California is developing its own set of academic standards and tests and some staff members at the State Board of Education said it was issued partly in response to concerns that that process is falling behind schedule. Some in Gov. Pete Wilson’s office, as well as members of the state board, are concerned that Eastin’s endorsement of the Clinton plan could divert attention from the state’s efforts.

Eastin said Friday that she “never committed the state” to participating in the Clinton program. She said the letter was “a bomb from the governor’s office and I’m not going to pick it up.”

More than anything, the letter, as well as the apparent confusion over Eastin’s role, exposed the complexity of the mechanism for making education policy in the state. Although the state superintendent is elected statewide, she must take a back seat on some issues to the Board of Education, which is appointed by the governor.

Beyond that, the letter demonstrated the tenuous working relationship between the state board and Eastin. Despite their differences on some issues, notably some aspects of reading and math instruction, Eastin and the board have worked hard to maintain civility and calm in their working relationships.