All of a sudden, Seattle Public Schools have joined the national parade. In a three-year contract just ratified (Thursday night) by the Seattle Education Association, the teachers' union, Seattle is playing catchup in a few very large steps. After a decade or so of foot-dragging by the union and dithering by the School Board, education reform has arrived, in earnest. And this is a big signal — from the biggest district and the most recalcitrant union — to other districts in the state.

Or almost. The School Board still has to ratify th