News in Brief

Gov. Roy Romer of Colorado last week introduced a school-funding and education-reform plan that could end his longstanding battle with the legislature by referring the issue to voters in November.

The plan would increase the state's sales tax from 3 cents to 4 cents, beginning in December, to fully fund the state's school-finance program and launch a variety of reforms.

The "Children First Act'' would establish site-based management, achievement standards, and merit pay for all school employees and launch new efforts aimed at reducing class sizes in the primary grades and extending school programs for students...