Calif. School Reform Plan Released

Governor says ‘financial disaster’ shows need for rainy-day fund.

Stronger teaching and leadership, a useful and reliable data system, expanded high-quality early-childhood-education programs, and more flexibility for educators to improve student achievement are among the recommendations a California committee is making for repairing what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called a “broken” public education system.

But in accepting the recommendations March 14, the governor said it was unfortunate that the 18-member group’s plan was being released in the midst of a “financial disaster” when midyear budget cuts have already occurred, and the state faces a $16 billion...