Gov.-Elect Davis Gets Early Start on Education Policy

By Robert C. Johnston

Owning up to his campaign promise to make education a top priority, Gov.-elect Gray Davis of California plans to convene a special legislative session on schools after he is sworn in next month.

While the details of the session are not final, Mr. Davis--who is set to become California's first Democratic governor in 16 years--has said he wants to study school accountability, teacher readiness, and preparation of all children to read by 3rd grade.

Mr. Davis, the current lieutenant governor, has also wasted no time in naming a 13-member transition team to help refine his education agenda over the next two months. The group's first meeting was held last...