New Jersey Governor Seeks To Relax Rules On Who Can Lead Schools

The New York Times (1/5, Hu) reports that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) "is pressing for regulations that would allow some New Jersey school districts to hire superintendents without traditional academic backgrounds or experience, in an effort to change confining state rules like those that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg had to surmount to win approval for Cathleen P. Black, his choice for New York City schools chancellor. Mr. Christie is proposing that requirements for superintendents be eased in low-performing districts, where at least half the children are failing state tests, saying he wants to open the door to more candidates with strong management and leadership skills." Christie's "proposals would lower the minimum academic standard for a superintendent from a master's to a bachelor's degree, and waive additional requirements, including a 150-hour graduate internship in educational leadership and passing a superintendent's assessment."