SUPT. OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

DELAINE EASTIN

Eastin, the incumbent in this nominally nonpartisan office, has been on the defensive this year amid criticism of the performance of California schools. She is widely seen as a forceful advocate for public education. But some analysts question her influence inside the government.

* Party: Democratic

* Occupation: State superintendent of public instruction

* Age: 51

* Residence: Fremont

* Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Davis; master’s degree in political science from UC Santa Barbara.

* Career highlights: Elected superintendent of public instruction in 1994. Elected to Assembly in 1986, serving four terms. Chaired Assembly Education Committee. Former community college teacher and corporate planner for Pacific Telesis Group.

* Priorities: Wants to raise per-pupil spending from last year’s $5,584, which she estimates is about $900 below the national average. Opposes publicly funded vouchers to pay for private education. Seeks to align state curriculum, testing and standards and supports a balance in reading instruction between phonics and literature.

GLORIA MATTA TUCHMAN

This is Matta Tuchman’s second run for state superintendent. In 1994, she finished fifth in a field of 12. Last June, she placed an unexpectedly strong second and forced a runoff. She is one of three Latinos attempting to become the first in a century to win statewide office. Critics say she lacks stature in the education community.

* Party: Republican

* Occupation: Elementary school teacher

* Age: 56

* Residence: Lemon Heights

* Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from Arizona State University.

* Career highlights: Elementary school teacher for 33 years; now teaches first grade in a Santa Ana public school. Trustee of Tustin Unified School District from 1985 to 1994 and twice chosen board president. Co-sponsor of Proposition 227, the anti-bilingual education initiative approved by state voters in June.

* Priorities: Long an English-first advocate; would vigorously enforce Proposition 227. Favors giving parents vouchers to help them move students from low-performing public schools to private schools. Supports a back-to-basics curriculum emphasizing phonics and computational skills. Promises to end “social promotion”--the practice of moving students up a grade each year despite a lack of academic progress.