Va. Gubernatorial Hopefuls Debate Education

By Jessica Portner

In a tight Virginia governor's race punctuated by partisan accusations and negative advertising, education policy has emerged as one of the main jousting points for the two gubernatorial hopefuls.

Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr., the Democratic candidate, and Republican James S. Gilmore III, a former state attorney general, have each staked out positions on education issues ranging from academic standards to teachers' salaries in their race to succeed Republican Gov. George F. Allen, who is barred from serving two consecutive terms.

In a lively televised debate this month--one of the last such exchanges before the Nov. 4 election--Mr. Beyer charged that Mr. Gilmore's education agenda was aligned...