HSU budget cut now around $10.1 million, Eureka Times-Standard
Humboldt State University's share of state budget cuts -- previously estimated at $8.1 million and $9.5 million -- is now $10.1 million, President Rollin Richmond announced at a Friday press conference.

Scribe school, Turlock Journal
While many youngsters in Turlock are out of school for the summer, 15 are hard at work learning to use written words to communicate better.

Budget deal may downplay cuts, Sacramento Bee
The parties agree on a lot -- but is the evolving plan a solution or a stopgap?

Workers gird for reduction in paychecks, Sacramento Bee
A 5% pension hike can't be covered by raises until there's a budget, officials say.

Fee hikes offer option to close budget gap, San Jose Mercury News
Republican resolve to resist new taxes could lead to a budget without sales or income tax increases. But Californians will probably pay more to camp at state parks, fish for striped bass and file for divorce.

New SAT, ACT exams for UC entry, Sacramento Bee
Regents approve the revised tests for fall 2006 admissions.

Middle school students jump ahead with UC course, Hayward Review
The program generally is provided in schools that have not performed well historically, according to a pamphlet from the university system.

What UC really wants to know, Contra Costa Times
Even in July, the siren call of UC Berkeley floats over the class of 2004.

Teachers get a boost, San Jose Mercury News
Teachers in low-income communities put up with a lot, including low pay that barely puts them above the poverty level. But sometimes it's the little things -- like a lack of staples and other school supplies -- that push these teachers over the edge and away from schools with such frustrating working conditions.

A growing number of students trading dorms for condos, San Diego Union-Tribune
Parents appreciate investment potential of off-campus property.

Teachers fail federal criteria, Orange Country Register
Nearly two-thirds of state instructors fall short of planned tougher U.S. standard.

Distance learning's popularity takes a big jump, CNN/AP
Educators say it is those students, adults taking advantage of Internet technology to wedge undergraduate or graduate degree programs into their lives, who are driving the growing popularity of distance learning.

Charter Schools Succeed in Improving Test Scores, Study Says, New York Times
Despite consistent financial shortcomings and hefty reliance on inexperienced teachers, charter school students often do better academically than their traditional counterparts, a national study has found.

FBI Investigates If University Stole Company's Passwords, Wall St. Journal
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has conducted a preliminary investigation of allegations that the University of Phoenix, the nation's largest for-profit university, stole trade secrets from its former testing-software provider.

Piracy Without Penalty?, Chronicle of Higher Education
Some public colleges invoke a constitutional shield when they are accused of improperly using software.

Black colleges step up marketing efforts, San Diego Union-Tribune/AP
Schools aim to raise enrollment, funds.

Editorial: Houston's School Dropout Debacle, New York Times
It turns out the Houston schools have not lived up to their billing. Their amazingly low high school dropout rate was literally unbelievable — the educational equivalent of Enron's accounting results.

Dan Walters: Davis again needs help from liberals he once shunned, Sacramento Bee
Davis has an even greater need for political support than he had last year, and it's evident that, once again, he's doing his best to placate and cultivate those interests whose help could be critical.

Dan Walters: Recall effort raises questions of legitimacy, future use, Sacramento Bee
While statewide polls of California voters reveal a uniformly negative attitude toward Gov. Gray Davis' performance, they also indicate that many of those who disapprove of him also are reluctant to vote to dump him from office through a recall election.

Marjie Lundstrom: In California, road to universal preschool may begin Tuesday, Sacramento Bee
If you just care about the future of all California kids, next week could prove pivotal for every single child in this state.

Opinion: Failing Schools Need Courses in Readin', Writin' and Accountability, Los Angeles Times
The fights that matter most to the quality of the public schools here, as in all communities, are mostly those fought close to home.

Editorial: UC makes right call, Contra Costa Times
The Board of Regents of the University of California took a positive step forward last week when it instituted a ban on faculty members dating or having any sexual relationships with students they teach or are likely to teach.

Editorial: Recall rampage, San Diego Union-Tribune
Move to unseat Davis stalls budget progress.

Editorial: Editorial: Out of danger?, Sacramento Bee
State's school definition is laughable.

Editorial: How recall works, Sacramento Bee
And why Democrats' strategy is suicidal.

Daniel Weintraub: Why the exit exam got held back instead of failing kids, Sacramento Bee
The California Board of Education's recent decision to delay the impact of the state's new high school exit exam was a disappointing but necessary tactical retreat that should ultimately advance the long-term goal of accountability in the public schools.

Did Davis hide extent of fiscal crisis in 2002?, San Francisco Chronicle
In the campaign to oust Davis from office, a leading supporter of the recall contends that Davis engaged in a massive deception during the gubernatorial race, by deliberately misleading the public about the magnitude of California's fiscal crisis.

Recall effort gets a boost, Sacramento Bee
Two court rulings could help chances for getting the measure on fall ballot.

Budget puts Burton's conscience, political need at odds, Contra Costa Times
John Burton is confronting one of the toughest tests of his career. The 70-year-old colorful San Francisco liberal is leader of the state Senate and arguably the most powerful Democrat in the Capitol. There will be no state budget solution without his agreement.

California Fray Offering G.O.P. Hope and Peril, New York Times
Eight months after California Republicans suffered one of their most humiliating statewide elections, the party's traditionally warring wings are striving to put aside their differences and take advantage of the recall drive against Gov. Gray Davis.

GOP stays in line with leader, Daily Bulletin
Brulte has chosen this year to fight.

Bruiser Burton, Sacramento Bee
Volcanic Senate leader wields his power to help the poor.

Succession issue may go to court, Contra Costa Times
Since the Gov. Gray Davis recall drive began, the working assumption has been that voters would decide whether to remove him from office and pick his replacement.

Dynamic duo strives for state budget deal, San Francisco Chronicle
John Burton, Jim Brulte are Senate party leaders, friendly foes and two who could get job done.