EDITORIAL ANTONIO'S TRIUMPH MAYOR'S SCHOOL-REFORM VISION INCHES TOWARD REALITY.

THE signing ceremony that brought Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to Los Angeles on Monday was an amazing illustration of how Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's school-reform efforts have turned the political world upside-down.

Here was a Republican governor, six weeks shy of Election Day, enacting a law that will give L.A's Democratic mayor extensive control over the Los Angeles Unified School District.

More remarkable still, the bill -- AB 1381 -- was supported by the very teachers unions that were Schwarzenegger's sworn enemies only a year ago.

Meanwhile, the unions' closest allies -- members of the school board who owe their election to union clout -- weren't even invited. Nor was LAUSD Superintendent Roy Romer.

The anti-reformers were so miffed about losing power that they wouldn't even let Villaraigosa and Schwarzenegger use a school for the occasion, thus forcing the two politicians to descend on the Central Library instead.

But while members of the LAUSD old guard pouted -- and planned lawsuits to stymie reform and prevent the kids from getting a better education -- the signing ceremony continued, ushering in what most people hope is a new era for education in Los Angeles.

``Today we are proclaiming a victory for the students of LAUSD and their parents,'' Schwarzenegger said, congratulating Villaraigosa for ``having the vision and fortitude to put our children first with this effort to increase accountability in L.A. public schools.''

He can say that again.

Villaraigosa certainly isn't lacking in vision or guts. Taking on the educational establishment was a politically risky and unnecessary move -- but exactly what his city needed and wanted most.

The mayor has boldly taken responsibility for turning around L.A.'s schools, and he has built a far-flung, diverse coalition to make it possible.

It won't be easy, but the moment for real education reform couldn't be better. The public is engaged, and a charismatic mayor is in control, with a popular governor behind him.

And the political establishment is upside-down.