Reply #47: New Jersey one of the "losers."

[hay rick]

New Jersey's application wiped out in the first round. Story here: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/nj_is_out_of_running_for_435b.html

New Jersey's newly-elected governor is Chris Christie- a conservative Republican who rode the backlash from Jersey's property tax, deficit, and other economic woes- into the office formerly occupied by Goldman Sachs alum Jon Corzine. Mr. Christie gained prominence as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, having been appointed by George W. Bush for whom he was a Pioneer fundraiser in the 2000 election.

His education commissioner is Bret Schundler, former Jersey City mayor and the unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor in 2001 who was defeated by Jim McGreevey.

From the article:

The New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, had recommended its local chapters oppose Race to the Top. Officials objected to provisions that emphasize standardized testing and connect teacher pay with results. They also questioned how programs would be paid for when the money ends, as well as the emphasis on charter schools.

NJEA officials met with Schundler earlier this week. A union spokesman, Steve Wollmer, said the two sides agreed to examine the applications of winning states and consider modifying New Jersey’s proposal for the second round. But, he said, the group’s position remains unchanged.

"We’re very comfortable with our opposition to this (program)," Wollmer said. "We think (U.S. Secretary of Education) Arne Duncan’s vision of how to increase student achievement is very, very misinformed."...

Sometimes losing feels exactly like winning. My condolences in advance to the RTTT "winners."