‘Reform Agenda’ in New York

New governor moves quickly to put stamp on school policy.

Albany, N.Y.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is dangling billions of dollars in extra aid and the promise of universal prekindergarten in front of his state’s public schools—along with the prospect of mandated performance contracts for districts, and the threat that local boards and superintendents could be ousted and hundreds of schools closed if they fail to improve.

In a state where public education is overseen by a board of regents and education commissioner independent of the governor, Gov. Spitzer made clear last week that he will take an active role in education policy. He outlined a multiyear agenda and tapped Manuel J. Rivera, the superintendent of the 34,000-student Rochester, N.Y., district, to be his chief education adviser. ( "Rivera Bows Out; Boston to Open New Hunt," Jan. 31, 2007.)

The newly inaugurated Democrat, who detailed his plans in a Jan. 29 speech here, joins a sizable class of governors who are proposing significant education initiatives because they believe their future...