Public Schools. Permanent Class Size Reduction. Parent-Teacher Councils. Teacher Credentialing. Pupil Suspension for Drug Possession. Chief Inspector's Office. Initiative Statute.
	Argument in Favor of Proposition 8

PROPOSITION 8 IS COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION REFORM: guaranteed funding for permanent class size reduction without increased taxes; mandatory expulsion for the possession of dangerous drugs; educational accountability; and active parental participation in their child's school. IT GIVES OUR CHILDREN A SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH THEY CAN SUCCEED IN LIFE.

Despite a booming economy and a whopping 17% increase in school spending in just the last two years--that guaranteed education more than $30 billion last year--our schools still aren't making the grade. AS 1998 TEST SCORES (the first to compare California schools to the national norm since the 1960's) MAKE PAINFULLY CLEAR, CALIFORNIA STUDENTS FELL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN 28 OF 43 CATEGORIES.

We must act now to improve California's schools!

Permanent Class Size Reduction without New Taxes

The National Education Association is outspoken regarding school class sizes stating, ". . . . .SMALLER CLASSES ARE THE BEST INVESTMENT THIS COUNTRY CAN MAKE IN IMPROVING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS."

In 1996, we made that investment with increased funding going directly into California classrooms. Teachers can now devote more time to individual instruction, so student achievement scores will improve.

To ensure each new kindergartner becomes a proficient reader by grade 3, our commitment to class size reduction must be sustained.

IT CANNOT BE LEFT VULNERABLE TO THE POLITICAL BUDGET AXE. PROPOSITION 8 GUARANTEES FUNDING FOR CLASS SIZE REDUCTION WON'T BECOME A PARTISAN POLITICAL PAWN.

Zero-Tolerance for Drugs and Violence

Before learning is possible, schools must be cleansed of weapons, drugs, and violence.

PROPOSITION 8 FREES CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS FROM THE SUFFOCATING GRIP OF DRUGS. Proposition 8 establishes the same "zero-tolerance" for the possession of dangerous drugs as for the possession of guns or knives. Guilty students will be immediately suspended and expelled.

Teacher Competency and Educational Accountability

WITHOUT INCREASED GOVERNMENT SPENDING, PROPOSITION 8 ESTABLISHES--FOR THE FIRST TIME--REAL EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

TEACHERS MUST PASS A SUBJECT MATTER COMPETENCY EXAM IN SUBJECTS THEY TEACH TO GET A TEACHING CREDENTIAL, and prepare lesson plans based on rigorous academic standards.

PROPOSITION 8 AUTHORIZES PRINCIPALS TO REMOVE TEACHERS FOR POOR PERFORMANCE.

Highlighting exceptional schools while targeting areas where improvement is needed, a Chief Inspector of Schools will evaluate public schools, rank them, and publish the results so that parents, employers and taxpayers can judge for themselves the performance of their schools. Direct and immediate accountability to parents will best guarantee students a quality education.

PARENTS DESERVE A TIMELY AND UNBIASED REPORT CARD ON THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL.

Parental Involvement/Local Control

Proposition 8 establishes local school site governing councils. Parents will comprise 2/3 of the membership becoming active participants in their school's curricula development and spending decisions.

UNDER PROPOSITION 8, FINANCIAL AND ACADEMIC DECISIONS ARE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY PARENTS, TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS--NOT SACRAMENTO BUREAUCRATS.

Say Yes To:

• Permanent Class Size Reduction.
• Drug-Free Schools.
• Educational Accountability.
• Parental Decision-Making.
• Teacher Competency.

SAY YES TO QUALITY EDUCATION; VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8.

PETE WILSON
Governor, State of California YVONNE LARSEN
President, California State Board of Education KIM JACOBSMA
1996 Teacher of the Year, Mayfair High School