Prop. 8 would make school matters worse, teachers say

By Suzanne Johnson, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, November 2, 1998

Proposition 8 is a prime example why people should not create laws from initiatives, said Monica Broome of the California Teachers' Association during a panel discussion Thursday in the University Student Union.

The proposition, which will appear on the November ballot, is known as the Permanent Class Size Reduction and Educational Opportunities Act of 1998.

The initiative focuses on five main points: creating a chief inspector of public schools; establishing parent site councils at each school to set curriculum and make budget decisions; implementation of permanent funding for class-size reduction; rules mandating expulsion for students caught possessing illegal drugs; and teacher testing of subject-matter material for credentials.

Under the proposal to create a chief inspector of public schools, an individual would be appointed by the governor to a 10- year term. The inspector would be responsible for providing information on school performance so that corrective action could be taken at low-performing schools.

The inspector would have to visit each school in the state once every two years. With 8,000 schools in California, he or she would have to visit 22 schools per day, said Jim Deaton, member of the Teachers' Association of Long Beach.

Proposition 8 also seeks to give parents a significant role in improving the educational programs at the schools their children attend through the creation of school site councils.

These councils would consist of a two-thirds majority of parents who have the authority to make all decisions pertaining to curriculum and budgeting.

Currently, 80 percent of California schools already have councils with a balanced representation of parents and teachers, said Cal State Long Beach political science instructor Dan O'Connor.

Many parents feel they know far better what is best for their children than bureaucrats in Sacramento, O'Connor said.

According to the Ventura Star Free Press, Proposition 8 would make it impossible for the state to ever diminish funds for class- size reduction programs, even if student achievement was not increasing as a result of such programs.

The Alameda Times Star stated that many K-3 children are not in the class-size reduction program yet because there simply are not enough qualified teachers or educational facilities to serve them.

Proposition 8 also seeks to provide a safe environment that fosters learning by keeping mind-altering illegal drugs out of the hands of children.

Attorney Melissa Carr emphasized that this diminishes principals' control in dealing with drug possession situations and removes students' due process rights.

Proposition 8 would also enable school principals to remove teachers from their schools who are not contributing to pupil achievement.

John Ennes of the California Federation of Teachers said that if the initiative passes, school principals would be given the authority to transfer or fire a teacher for any reason and without due process.

Ken Curtis, director of CSULB's liberal studies program, addressed the complicated issue of teacher assessment. He said standardized tests are the easiest way to judge a teacher's competency.

The initiative would allow teacher evaluations based upon standardized tests taken by students. The results of the tests do not accurately reflect a teacher's ability, Ennes said.

Proposition 8 also seeks to ensure that persons licensed to teach in California possess essential subject-matter knowledge.

If the initiative passes, every potential teacher will be required to take the Multiple Subjects Assessment for Teachers.

"It's not looking at the quality of the program," said Consuelo Nieto, professor of teacher education at CSULB. "All that matters is that you pass a test."

O'Connor stated that if the initiative were to be voted on today, it would pass by a two to one margin.

If it passes, an 80 percent vote of the Legislature would be required to change any portion of the initiative.