Schwarzenegger Backs Bill to End Seniority-Based Layoffs

Civil Rights Groups Argue Current System Harms Poor, Minority Students

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California has thrown his support behind a proposed state law that would prevent teacher layoffs based on seniority, a stance that’s drawn the ire of teachers’ unions while being lauded by civil rights activists.

Mr. Schwarzenegger appeared April 20 at Edwin Markham Middle School in the Watts area of Los Angeles, which lost more than half its teachers in layoffs last year because they were largely new hires.

“Several teachers of the year have gotten pink slips. How can that happen if they are award-winning teachers?” the governor told an auditorium full of cheering children. “It is very important...