Now Hear This, Mr. Schwarzenegger.
Advice for Arnold Part One: How to Become the Education Governor

Editor's note -- In anticipation of the inauguration of Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger on Nov. 17, The Chronicle is publishing a two-part series of opinions from pundits and policy-makers on the major issues facing the state.

Part two will be published next Sunday.

As a candidate, Arnold Schwarzenegger drew fire for not outlining specific ideas. Gov.-elect Schwarzenegger can now deploy many ideas in the vital field of education, California's biggest expenditure.

In 2002-03, total education funding in California was approximately $9,200 per pupil, an inflation-adjusted increase of nearly 29 percent over the amount spent 10 years ago. Much of the money gets absorbed by layers of bureaucratic sediment.

In 2002-2003, California doled out more than $12 billion in "categorical" dollars earmarked for particular programs such as special education or reducing class size. With many of the 80 programs ineffective and unaccountable, the governor should replace the categorical money with block grants to districts. This would shift power from Sacramento to local districts and empower local educators to make decisions in ways that best serve the needs of students and parents. Such a move would also eliminate cumbersome reporting requirements, freeing up more money for the classroom.

To boost teacher quality, the governor should consider a system of merit pay, along with higher pay for teachers in math and science. Teacher evaluations can be tied to classroom performance. Principals should assign teachers based on results and student needs rather than seniority. In California, firing incompetent teachers is practically impossible; the governor should change that.

To ensure that teachers do their jobs and students actually earn their diplomas, the governor should immediately reinstate the high-school exit exam postponed till the class of 2006 by the California Board of Education. The test is well below 12th-grade level, especially in math, and students can take it six times. Therefore, the governor should ignore charges that the exam is unfair and that many students would fail. The governor can learn from Massachusetts, which faced similar criticism but achieved a pass rate of 95 percent.

California's exit exam will help to end social promotion, which preserves mediocrity and sets up students for failure in college and the job market. Last year, 59 percent of students qualifying for the California state university system, the top 33 percent of the graduating class, needed remedial courses in English and math or both.

The governor inherits California's tough academic standards but must strive to implement them in the classroom. To derive the full benefit, students need textbooks that are both rigorous and aligned with the standards. Schwarzenegger should reverse cuts in textbook programs and align all textbooks with state content standards.

Children trapped in failing schools should be given the option of leaving that school and transferring to any public school in the state. This choice option would improve performance and increase accountability. Schools would have to improve or face the loss of students. Giving parents the choice currently reserved for bureaucrats would also increase the incentive for parents to become more involved in their children's education. In the long run, the governor should strive for full educational choice for all California students as a matter of basic civil rights.

All these measures will require Schwarzenegger to stand up to the special interests who thrive in the current education monopoly.