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replacement with conservation measures and/or conversion to alternative energy sources. <br /> • <br /> f) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission should not limit local government participation in the <br /> planning and testing of evacuation procedures near nuclear power plants. <br /> g) The federal government should not restrict states from enacting stricter environmental <br /> regulations than under federal standards. <br /> h) The federal government should grant states the right to veto the location of nuclear power <br /> plants within state borders. <br /> IV. EDUCATION <br /> The Orange County Democratic"Party considers education to be a primary concern at all <br /> governmental levels. We support initiatives at the state and local levels to upgrade and equalize <br /> the quality and standards of our educational system. Financial and nonmonetary incentives <br /> should be provided to keep excellent teachers m the profession. <br /> LOCAL <br /> a) Local government agencies should establish early intervention programs beginning at birth <br /> for children who are educationally or developmentally at risk. <br /> b) School systems should follow federal mandates to promote mainstreaming students with <br /> handicaps. <br /> c) School systems should address student problems such as dropout rate, alcohol and drug <br /> abuse, and teenage pregnancy and parenthood. <br /> d) Adult literacy programs should be available county-wide. <br /> e) School systems, working with other local resources, should provide information to help <br /> students prepare for a world of rapidly changing career options. <br /> fl School systems should adopt master teacher and career ladder programs, so long as these <br /> are implemented with safeguards such as peer review and a tenure track for teachers not <br /> electing the career ladder plan. <br /> STATE <br /> a) The state should assist local systems with capital improvements. <br /> b) The General Assembly should provide flexibility in the use of state funds by local <br /> systems, since the needs of students can vary from school system to school system. <br /> c) The General Assembly should take steps to remedy the embarrassingly low salaries paid <br /> to teachers and other educational personnel. <br /> d) The state should provide adequate funding for locally operated adult literacy programs. <br /> e) The state should work toward reducing the student-teacher ratio. <br /> f) The state should establish and coordinate with local communities early intervention <br /> programs beginning at birth. <br /> FEDERAL <br /> a) The federal government should'expand undergraduate and graduate scholarship and loan <br /> programs for teacher preparation. <br /> b) The federal government should fund educational research. <br /> c) The federal government should assure free access to appropriate educational opportunities <br /> for the gifted and persons with handicaps. <br /> d) No action should be taken that undermines constitutional provisions for the separation of <br /> • 4 <br />