The race for the state's highest elected education official, Superintendent of Public Instruction, features candidates, from left, Gloria Romero, Tom Torlakson and Larry Aceves. (Courtesy Photos)

California residents looking for their chance to sound off on charter schools, open enrollment between districts, and other major education reforms will find an opportunity on the June ballot.

The race for the state's highest elected education official, Superintendent of Public Instruction, is shaping up to be a referendum on much-debated school reforms, as well as a test of the enduring power of California's teachers unions.

The race pits reform-minded Democrat Sen. Gloria Romero, who has long represented parts of the San Gabriel Valley, against her Democratic colleague, union-backed Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, who represents a district in the Bay Area.

"This is an early and significant test case of a Latino Democrat willing to take on the unions versus a traditional Democrat backed by the unions," said Bruce Fuller, a UC Berkeley professor of education and public policy.

Romero, who heads the Senate Education Committee, has been one of the biggest advocates of controversial education reforms backed by President Barack Obama, including increasing the number of charter schools and