Alcohol-related incidents down at CSU campuses, San Francisco Chronicle
School administrators credit tougher prevention program.

CSUCI panel to tell Grand Jury thanks, but ... , Ventura County Star
California State University, Channel Islands' response to a Grand Jury report criticizing fire safety will be respectful, appreciative and to the point: The campus president, attorney and a governing board said the jury has no authority over the state-run school.

Area student to receive school award from state, Daily Breeze/City News Service
One South Bay student is among two Los Angeles-area students and six people statewide selected for this year’s William R. Hearst/California State University Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Esteban to receive 'president emeritus' title, Chico Enterprise-Record
He may have retired but now former Chico State University President Manuel Esteban will not be losing his title.

GOP proposes more spending cuts, San Francisco Chronicle
Senators' amendments focus on salaries, housing; Davis expected to meet with both parties this week.

Budget talks await analyses, Long Beach Press-Telegram/AP
Lack of information on GOP spending list halts Senate debate as gridlock enters 2nd week.

UC hopefuls take circuitous route via community college, Contra Costa Times
Michelle McGoon did what many excellent students like her are doing: she decided to attend community college and try to transfer to UC in two years.

Undecided four years later, Ventura County Star
During the 20 years she has worked with college students, marriage and family therapist Ellen Mayer -- who works in counseling services at California State University, Northridge -- has seen countless people paralyzed with indecision.

Kindergarten cutoff date would affect state budget, Los Angeles Daily News/AP
Because higher learning standards have made kindergarten more complicated than naps and playtime, Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, has proposed delaying the time when some younger 5-year-olds will be able to enter school.

State expects to hold off exit exam, Contra Costa Times
California's high school seniors have been told since they were in eighth grade that they would be the first class to have to pass an exit exam to get a diploma.

Sometimes high school just isn't enough, Christian Science Monitor
They are the members of the first graduating class of the Bard High School Early College in New York City. Most are 18 but already leaving high school with two years of college and associate in arts degrees under their belts.

Practical skills vs. three R's: A debate revives, Christian Science Monitor
Does teaching high school students how to clean a carburetor or decorate a cake give them valuable job skills or does it simply distract them from the study of algebraic equations and French verbs?

Bush Seeks Big Changes in Head Start, Drawing Criticism From Program's Supporters, New York Times
President Bush called today for a major overhaul of Head Start, the popular Lyndon Johnson-era preschool program for poor children, that would add an academic focus to its traditional emphasis on health and nutrition and give some states the right to control its financing.

Connerly takes affirmative action agenda to Michigan, Contra Costa Times
The man who chaired the successful campaign to end state sponsored race-based affirmative action in California is trying to do the same in Michigan.

Big Troubles Loom for Florida's Public Colleges, Chronicle of Higher Education
Lawmakers do little about with imminent crises involving money and governance.

Bush's Next Target?, Chronicle of Higher Education
The president may use the renewal of the Higher Education Act as an opportunity to attack colleges for high costs and dropout rates.

Colleges Fret Over Oracle's Bid for PeopleSoft, Chronicle of Higher Education
As the Oracle Corporation pursues its bid to buy PeopleSoft Inc., colleges that have spent millions of dollars on PeopleSoft software to manage their institutions are upset and angry. Administrators want reassurances that they have not wasted those millions if the deal goes through.

Editorial: Break the hazing cycle, Contra Costa Times
It happens in elementary school through college and beyond. Although it is usually thought of as something that's all in fun, hazing is usually vengeful, dangerous, mean and nasty.

Dan Walters: As recall scenarios multiply, what would be best for state?, Sacramento Bee
It's dead certain that Gray Davis will become the first governor in California history to face a recall election -- if he doesn't resign within the next few weeks.

Editorial: Cut the crap, Long Beach Press-Telegram
Deficit: Budget doesn't have to be balanced on the backs of Californians.

Opinion: Keep Exit Exam, but Delay It, Los Angeles Times
As a member of the state Senate in 1999, I authored the legislation that created the California High School Exit Exam, a new graduation requirement set to go into effect for next year's seniors.

Editorial: Deal Before the Hole Grows, Los Angeles Times
Republicans say they won't balance the budget by forcing businesses and consumers to pay more taxes. Democrats say they won't balance the budget by slashing aid to the aged, blind and disabled.

All seem to agree recall vote is certain, San Francisco Chronicle
Democrats prepare for battle as Davis foes finish signature drive.

Recall 'crisis' for finances, Long Beach Press-Telegram/AP
Democrats say effort to remove Davis threatens U.S. economy.

CalSTRS sues over fund cut, Sacramento Bee
The California State Teachers' Retirement System asked the California Supreme Court Monday to overturn a law that slashed $3.7 billion from the state's massive budget deficit, arguing that the legislative deal improperly deprived the pension fund of a $500 million payment.

Recall Backers Assert Victory in Signature Drive, Los Angeles Times
Organizers of the move to oust Gov. Davis pull petition workers out of the field, saying they now have the support to force an election.