Prolonged school closures may be worst mistake in state history

What truly sets California apart from other states is its sheer immensity.

While Alaska and Texas may be physically larger, in all other respects California towers above other states in population, ethnic diversity, cultural impact and economic power — the latter being equivalent to that of a major nation.

The corollary to California’s outsized prominence, however, is that when its officialdom makes mistakes, they, too, are often gigantic embarrassments.

One that comes to...