HAVE CALIFORNIA'S STUDENTS -- particularly those in urban areas -- fallen further behind than most? The answer may be yes, at least according to a report card on the condition of public education in 50 states, issued this week by Education Week magazine.

Funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the study, Quality Counts '98, states that California's unimpressive academic performance can be traced in large part to a problem seen across the nation -- struggling urban schools that have far more poor students and underqualified teachers than their counterparts in suburban and rural areas.

Check out California's grade compared to other states, then, tell us your thoughts about the quality of education in the Golden State.