CAPITOL NOTEBOOK: SCHOOL CRISIS HAS TEXTBOOK SELLERS GLEEFUL.

Byline: Terri Hardy and Dorothy Korber

THE dismal state of schooling in California is the subject of intense debate in the capital these days. Lawmakers are embracing a brave new world of rigorous tests, tough standards for teachers and the return of the dreaded F.

All this is enough to make kids squirm and teachers gulp. Textbook publishers, on the other hand, are doing little jigs of joy. Thanks to education reform, they see a gold mine in the Golden State.

Here's the scoop from an analysis prepared for the Association of American Publishers' School Division, which met in Sacramento last week: ``The nation's most populous state has been transformed from a difficult, shortage-plagued market (in the bottom third of states in per capita spending for instructional materials) to a land of enormous opportunity for educational publishers.''

Proving once again that every crisis has a silver lining.

Pins and needles 

It's been reported that the era of state lawmakers spending their free time in glitzy Sacramento watering holes has faded. Now comes information on how the politicos are unwinding by bowling.

The 11th Annual Legislators and Staff Bowling Party at Sacramento's County Club Lanes was jam-packed, according to well-placed sources. After gorging on a chicken dinner, lawmakers took to the lanes, accompanied by a DJ playing disco tunes.

The San Fernando Valley was well represented. Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, won the high game award with a whopping score of 194. Former Daily News reporter Paul Hefner, now a spokesman for Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, took second place with a 193.

Team Hertzberg, which included Hefner, staff members Joe Byrne and Lori Barber, as well as Hertzberg's brother, Gerry, took highest combined score honors. At least one of the team members (Hefner) has his trophy proudly displayed on his desk.

Some teams wore outrageous costumes, like Santa Cruz Sen. Bruce McPherson's group, who sported kilts or grass skirts.

Clearing house

Often in hiding from their abusers, victims of domestic violence sometimes hesitate to reveal their home addresses - even for important mail. A new program will provide a confidential mailing address service for abuse victims under California Secretary of State Bill Jones' office.

The California Confidential Address Program will certify bona fide victims, then retrieve and forward their mail to their current protected address. Shirley Washington, longtime media spokeswoman for Jones, will head up the new program, nicknamed Cal C.A.P.

Jones said he expects the program to begin operation in July. For more information, call his office at [phone].

Bills to watch

State Sen. Tom Hayden, D-Los Angeles, introduced SB 335 to help make California roads safer by setting minimum vision standards and requiring more frequent written, road and vision tests for drivers older than 75. . . . Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Torrance, introduced SB 280, which would require all new state buildings to be green - not literally but environmentally. The buildings would have to meet high standards of energy efficiency, water conservation and recycling of waste. . . . Sen. Dick Mountjoy, R-Arcadia, introduced SB 296, which would exempt vehicles driven less than 5,000 miles a year from the biennial smog check requirement.