Davis Makes Big Push for Accountability in Calif. Schools

By Robert C. Johnston

Declaring that "no one gets a free ride," California's first Democratic governor in 16 years unveiled a blueprint last week to put more pressure on teachers, students, and parents to improve the state's 8,000 K-12 public schools.

In his Jan. 6 State of the State Address, Gov. Gray Davis also outlined a plan to improve student reading skills as part of a $444 million reform package he planned to include in a budget proposal that was slated for release Jan. 8.

As promised last month, he called on the Democratic-controlled legislature to open a special session on education Jan. 19. "My goal is to set higher expectations for everyone involved in education," Mr. Davis told a joint...