Portland, Ore., Chief Calls for All-Charter District

By Cheryl Gamble

The superintendent of the Portland, Ore., schools wants the state to grant charter status to his entire 57,000-student district.

Superintendent John E. Bierwirth proposed the idea late last month as part of a series of changes designed to give Portland more control over its schools. Other proposals include an end to outdated rules and regulations and rewards for performance and efficiency, Mr. Bierwirth said.

"The district wants the same freedom to propose rules and regulation in the district as the state board of education does for schools in the entire...