The Hard Work of Leaving Behind No Child Left Behind

New Jersey certainly seems to have a good shot at a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which would free the state from some of the constraints dictated by the controversial law.

When President Obama last week announced details of the new waiver, acting education commissioner Chris Cerf was at the White House. An hour later, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan hosted a press conference by phone, and Cerf was one of just two state commissioners with him on the call.

But for all the invitations and allegiances, now comes the hard part. In order to qualify for a waiver, Cerf's and Gov. Chris Christie's education agenda must be tailored to the evolving -- and detailed -- guidelines coming out of Washington, D.C. The first round of applications is due November 14.

"It's not just the writing of the application," Cerf said yesterday. "It's the policy we'll need in place."

President Christie?

And of course, this comes at the same time Christie is openly flirting with the possibility of seeking the Republican nomination for president, all while taking a few high-profile slaps at Obama along the way. Much of the Republican field so far has been critical of the Obama’s education policies, the waiver being just the latest issue.

"Most of the stuff that the waiver is calling for are things Christie has done and wants to do anyway," said Patrick McGuinn, an associate professor of politics at Drew University, who closely follows federal education policy.

"But if he runs, there could be a whole different story," he said.

Cerf, a Democrat, said he has received nothing but approval from the governor and his staff to pursue the waiver. "I know we are in a dynamic political environment, but we are moving forward," he said yesterday.

Still, for all the newly fueled speculation of Christie vs. Obama in 2012, education is one thing where the two largely agree. Christie has said as much in pitching his education agenda, often citing the president's support of the same platform of higher standards, greater teacher accountability, and expanded school choice.

It was much of the same agenda pressed in the federal Race to the Top competition, which New Jersey narrowly lost last year on a technicality. Christie has nonetheless pressed ahead. (And his administration has said it will go for that grant again as well, albeit for a much smaller amount.)

Continue reading this story in NJ Spotlight.

NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.