News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup

A joint legislative committee in California has released a revised draft of the long-awaited education master plan that, supporters hope, will change how the state operates its education system—from its preschool programs to universities.

If approved by the legislature and signed into law, the plan would give more power to the governor, including placing the state department of education under his control.

The governor would still pick state board of education members. But the job of secretary of education, a position filled by a gubernatorial appointee, would be eliminated. The governor would instead pick a...