California Online Voter Guide -- 1998 General Election

PROPOSITION 8

Official Title: Public Schools. Permanent Class Size Reduction. Parent-Teacher Councils.
Teacher Credentialing. Pupil Suspension for Drug Possession. Chief Inspector's Office.

Official election results are available from the Secretary of State

Yes:

36.8 %

No:

63.2 %

Measure:

Failed

The way it is now: The state Department of Education oversees public schools in California. The number of students in each kindergarten through third grade class has been lowered over the past two years. This has cost the state $1.5 billion.

What Prop. 8 would do: Make changes in the laws about education:

The state would continue funding for smaller class sizes in kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Schools would be required to set up local parent and teacher councils that would make important decisions about the schools.
Principals would be able to hire and remove school staff.
Teachers would have to pass tests in the subjects they teach and have written lesson plans approved.
Students who bring illegal drugs to school would be expelled.
A new position, Chief Inspector of Public Schools, would be created to evaluate the quality of all public schools.

What it would cost: Up to $60 million in new state education programs, but some of this would come from current budgets.

P R O

C O N

ARGUMENTS
We need to make sure we continue smaller class sizes and make our teachers more responsible for what they teach.

Parents and teachers should have more control over school budgets and what gets taught.

Students are expelled if they bring guns or knives to school and they also should be expelled for bringing drugs to school. Prop 8 includes many programs that are already in place, such as smaller class sizes.

Prop 8 would take money away from classrooms and education programs that are working well now and uses the money for new administration.

These new rules for teacher testing could make California's teacher shortage worse.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Californians for Smaller Classes, Drug-Free Schools, and Educational Accountability
Committee ID# 980132
555 Capitol Mall, Suite 600
Sacramento, CA 95814
phone: (916) 492-7758
www.yesonprop8.com

Parents, Teachers, Cops and Taxpayers Against Prop 8
Committee ID# 981689
111 Anza Blvd, Suite 406
Burlingame, CA 94010
phone: (650) 340-0470
email: info@NoProp8.org
www.noprop8.org

WHO SIGNED THE OFFICIAL BALLOT PAMPHLET ARGUMENTS Pete Wilson, Governor, State of California; Yvonne Larsen, President, California State Board of Education; Kim Jacobsma, 1996 Teacher of the Year, Mayfair High School. Lois Tinson, President, California Teachers Association; Lenny Goldberg, Executive Director, California Tax Reform Association; Bob Wells, Secretary/Treasurer, Parents, Teachers and Educators for Local Control.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CVF RECOMMENDS

Follow the money - CVF has compiled summary campaign finance information and a list of top ten contributors for each ballot measure committee that has filed a report with the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State's Voter Information Guide - features the Attorney General's summary, official pro/con arguments, the Legislative Analyst's analysis (including background information, details of the proposal, and the fiscal effect of the measure) and the full text of this measure.

The California Journal - provides independent, in-depth analysis, including background on the issue and arguments for and against the measure.

The Senate Office of Research - offers background information, policy and fiscal effects, related state and federal law, a description of how the measure will work, and a list of supporters and opponents.

The League of Women Voters' Pro/Con Analysis - provides an excellent, nonpartisan review of this measure.

Go to the next proposition

This page first published October 1, 1998

Final update December 12, 1998

Back to the '98 General Online Voter Guide homepage

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is a project of the
California Voter Foundation

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© Copyright 1994-98.
All rights reserved.

	P R O	C O N
ARGUMENTS	We need to make sure we continue smaller class sizes and make our teachers more responsible for what they teach. Parents and teachers should have more control over school budgets and what gets taught. Students are expelled if they bring guns or knives to school and they also should be expelled for bringing drugs to school.	Prop 8 includes many programs that are already in place, such as smaller class sizes. Prop 8 would take money away from classrooms and education programs that are working well now and uses the money for new administration. These new rules for teacher testing could make California's teacher shortage worse.
CONTACT INFORMATION	Californians for Smaller Classes, Drug-Free Schools, and Educational Accountability Committee ID# 980132 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 600 Sacramento, CA 95814 phone: (916) 492-7758 www.yesonprop8.com	Parents, Teachers, Cops and Taxpayers Against Prop 8 Committee ID# 981689 111 Anza Blvd, Suite 406 Burlingame, CA 94010 phone: (650) 340-0470 email: info@NoProp8.org www.noprop8.org
WHO SIGNED THE OFFICIAL BALLOT PAMPHLET ARGUMENTS	Pete Wilson, Governor, State of California; Yvonne Larsen, President, California State Board of Education; Kim Jacobsma, 1996 Teacher of the Year, Mayfair High School.	Lois Tinson, President, California Teachers Association; Lenny Goldberg, Executive Director, California Tax Reform Association; Bob Wells, Secretary/Treasurer, Parents, Teachers and Educators for Local Control.