Oakland Tribune, October 22, 2003

Letter to the Oakland Tribune

THE OCT. 9 article, "New governor could quickly recast state election board," cites Scott Plotkin of the California School Boards Association as saying that he's worried the "new governor will come in with a whole laundry list to fix the schools."

But isn't that just what Arnold Schwarzenegger should do? Why else was he elected, if not to force change in a state that trails most of the nation in student achievement?

The article also quotes Arnold as saying he wants to "shift more power to local communities." With this in mind, I'd like to offer three building block ideas our new governor might use to restore our state's leadership role, and provide California's students with the education they deserve:

-- Implement school choice. Programs like those in Milwaukee and Florida have produced dramatic improvements, even within the public schools.

-- Introduce differential pay for teachers, based on shortage areas, and merit pay for those who significantly improve student performance.

-- Use proven curricula and teaching methods, adhere to the state academic standards, and reform the state's accountability system.

Predictably, teachers' unions will fight to their last apple to block such reforms, and maybe even a tough guy like Arnold will meet his match. But when the chalk dust settles, the improvement in California's quality of education could be real.

Sally C. Pipes

President and CEO

Pacific Research Institute