Federal File

California can use its $129 million in federal class-size-reduction aid to hire high school teachers, Vice President Al Gore announced at a Los Angeles ceremony last week.

Because California already has a class-size-reduction plan in kindergarten through 3rd grade, Gov. Gray Davis requested a waiver from the federal Department of Education to use its money for secondary classes. The federal initiative, passed as part of last year's budget plan, gives money to states to hire new teachers and reduce class...