Janet Nicholas

Over the objection of an association of math teachers, a state Senate committee voted 5 to 0 Monday to recommend confirmation of a State Board of Education member who has insisted on a reexamination of California's approved teaching methods.

The state Senate voted 31 to 3 Monday to confirm Janet G. Nicholas, the Republican owner and operator of a Sonoma County winery, for a four-year term on the State Board of Education. Her nomination by Gov. Pete Wilson had stirred controversy among math educators, some of whom branded her support of teaching math fundamentals "reactionary."

During her year on the State Board of Education, Sonoma grape grower Janet Nicholas has established a reputation for doing her homework, asking tough questions and remaining firm in her beliefs. But she created some enemies among educators by insisting that those who criticize the state's controversial methods of teaching math should have a hand in their overhaul. Now Nicholas has a math problem of her own: An appointee of Republican Gov.

Over the objection of an association of math teachers, a state Senate committee voted 5 to 0 Monday to recommend confirmation of a State Board of Education member who has insisted on a reexamination of California's approved teaching methods.

The state Senate voted 31 to 3 Monday to confirm Janet G. Nicholas, the Republican owner and operator of a Sonoma County winery, for a four-year term on the State Board of Education. Her nomination by Gov. Pete Wilson had stirred controversy among math educators, some of whom branded her support of teaching math fundamentals "reactionary."

Members of the State Board of Education said they will discuss at a meeting today whether to block the allocation of Proposition 227 funds earmarked for adult education programs under investigation by the FBI. Federal authorities are conducting an investigation of the state education department's allocation of millions of dollars in public funds to community organizations that provide adult education, and the possible misuse of funds by 10 of those groups.

Re "Sacramento Math Wars: Basics vs Reformists," editorial, March 9: Being a liberal Democrat, I wish I could agree with you that Delaine Eastin, the Democrat, is supporting a balanced approach, while the Republican, Janet Nicholas, only wants "a greater emphasis on basic math instruction." This is simply not true. Nicholas included mathematicians and scientists on the mathematics framework committee who recognize the need for balance, while Eastin wanted to exclude the moderates and retain the reform extremists.

I am one of the 10 people recommended for the math framework committee who were removed by Janet Nicholas and the State Board of Education (Nov. 10). I am confused about why the board rejected the careful study and negotiations of the independent State Curriculum Commission. Nicholas claims that "there was no litmus test for this group of people .J.J. other than having expertise in the subject matter." I can only assume that Nicholas decided that, even with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from UC Davis, I did not have expertise in the subject matter of middle school mathematics.

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With California reform measures in place, education leaders said Friday that schools are primed to improve student achievement, but urged administrators, teachers and parents to be patient during the bumpy process. As state educators continue to work on determining standards-based curriculum, hundreds of parents, teachers, administrators, professors and some of the nation's top education officials met to discuss reform during a conference at Cal State Northridge, which continues today.

During her year on the State Board of Education, Sonoma grape grower Janet Nicholas has established a reputation for doing her homework, asking tough questions and remaining firm in her beliefs. But she created some enemies among educators by insisting that those who criticize the state's controversial methods of teaching math should have a hand in their overhaul. Now Nicholas has a math problem of her own: An appointee of Republican Gov.

Gov. Pete Wilson said Monday he is willing to consider clemency for convicted murderer Robert Alton Harris, who faces execution next month for the 1978 murders of two San Diego teen-agers. The Republican governor, who has a longstanding political alliance with crime victim groups and other advocates of the death penalty, said it should not be assumed that he would automatically reject Harris' appeal. "Clemency, by definition, is an act of executive mercy.

In a setback to groups trying to break away from Los Angeles city schools, proponents of a new district for the South Bay city of Lomita failed to muster crucial support from the State Board of Education on Thursday. Lomita's request to hold an election on its proposal to carve a 2,000-student, three-school system from the Los Angeles Unified School District garnered only three yes votes--half of what it needed--from the 11-member board.