'We Need Immigration Reform in Washington'

By Pete Wilson

The author is the Governor of California. He supported Proposition 187 in his reelection campaign in November.

For Californians, Election '94 presented an unprecedented opportunity to make fundamental change. And the change we now seek must include fundamental change in California's schools.

We need to make our schools safe havens for learning. We cannot expect to experience the tremendous future that awaits our California unless we can teach our children the skills they'll need to compete in the workplace of the 21st century. I've launched significant reforms in California schools, including the nation's most sweeping public-school-choice initiative; the charter-school program, which gives parents greater control over their children's education and makes improvements in the traditional education process; and a zero-tolerance policy to free our schools from...