Read California Gov. Pete Wilson's remarks about education as delivered during his recent State of the State Address Check out California gubernatorial candidate Al Checchi's 10-point plan for improving education

Feinstein Ballot Initiative Aimed at Improving School Performance US SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA) is attempting to get a measure on the state's November 1998 ballot aimed at improving school performance by, among other things, requiring students to pass a test before graduating, reducing class size and raising teachers standards. The proposed measure, known as the Excellence and Accountability in Education Act of 1998, also proposes the following: Extend the school year by seven days Reduce the vote necessary to pass local school bonds from two-thirds to a majority Provide scholarships of $5,000 to help college graduates become teachers Make public schools subject to comparative rankings in academic performance and teacher qualifications Require students in grades 4 and 8 to pass an achievement test before advancing to the next grade Encourage veteran teachers to stay on as instructors and mentors to beginning teachers "Nothing is more important to the future of the United States than the education of its children," the proposed initiative states. As California prepares for the 21st Century, we must assure that our public schools improve so that today's children are educated properly for tomorrow's jobs." According to the ballot initiative, California ranks last in the nation in the percentage of young adults with a high school diploma. In addition, its students rank 37th in the nation in SAT scores; its classrooms have the highest students-to-teacher ratio in the nation. Nearly half of all students entering the California State University system require remedial work in mathematics, English or both; and California ranks 41st in the nation in per- pupil expenditures on public education. In order for the initiative to be placed on the November ballot, Feinstein and other backers must obtain 693,000 signatures from registered voters by mid-April.