California Assembly Passes Education Reform Bills

Lawmakers acted under a tight deadline set by the Obama administration, which is pushing school-reform efforts through its Race to the Top initiative. At stake for California is up to $700 million in competitive grants.

The Assembly's action sends the two bills to the state Senate, which is scheduled to consider them Wednesday. If approved, the legislative package will go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has been pushing lawmakers to act since calling a special session in August.

He issued a statement after the vote urging the Senate to pass the legislation. He said it was needed to ensure California could submit a competitive application for a portion of the $4.3 billion being made available by the federal government.

Lawmakers who support the reforms said the legislation would provide a lifeline to parents and students in California's poorest-performing school districts.