California teachers, superintendents brawl over controversial legislation. (Notebook: education information from schools, business, research and professional organizations).

California's teachers and district superintendents are fighting about proposed legislation that would give teachers far greater control over the state's education policies. Assembly Bill 2160 would make textbook selection, professional development and even parental involvement in the classroom part of the collective bargaining process. Currently, only major employment issues, such as salary and benefits, have been part of collective bargaining.

Not surprisingly, superintendents are roiling against the proposed legislation, claiming that it would hamstring the system. "The state would need a separate union bargaining office to function," complains Jim Sweeney, superintendent of Sacramento City Unified School District. Troubling to him is the proposed control over parental involvement. Sacramento's teachers have the option of participating in a home visitation program for which they receive a stipend. The program has been effective in getting parents involved in education and reaching out to students, but might lose momentum if scrutinized by union officials.

Roy Romer, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, argues that teachers don't always know the best course of action. They resisted adopting the state's Reading Institutes program, arguing against a structured approach. Yet, this new program helped the Los Angeles district lift first grade reading scores above the national level for the first time in 20 years, he says.

Still, Wayne Johnson, president of the California Teachers Union, insists that it's time for the union's 330,000 members to have a greater say in their jobs. They, more than "administrative bureaucrats and politicians," know their students' needs, he says.