Shorter Perry: "I Liked the Old Federal Standards More"

» DMN: Perry says Texas, not U.S., should set state public education standards

Funny, it seems like such a short time ago that a Texas Governor was suggesting federal standards for education and all the rightwing sheep were in immediate compliance. And from whence, No Child Left Behind was born!

Now?

Gov. Rick Perry still wants no part of a move to establish national standards for English and math instruction in public schools.

Perry issued a letter Tuesday - just as rival Kay Bailey Hutchison was announcing education policy proposals - to state Education Commissioner Robert Scott reiterating his opposition to federal standards.

Texas education officials, with Perry's backing, told the U.S. Department of Education in June that the state would not participate with most other states in developing the standards, spelling out what students at all grade levels should be taught in those subjects.

By doing so, Texas has severely hurt its chances of getting a piece of a $4.35 billion federal grant program for schools, known as "Race to the Top" funds. But Perry said in his letter that that's a price worth paying.

Ironically, all of this comes as SecEd, Arne Duncan has had the following to say about how standards will be crafted in the Obama administration:

As states come together around higher common standards, I want to flip it - and be tighter about the goals - but more flexible in how you can meet them.

I trust states and districts to find the way - and I don't trust Washington to tell you how to do it. You have the ideas, the leadership, and the ability. I'm here to support you.

I just cannot help but find it comical that the one time leading Republican electeds finally come out against elements of NCLB, it's when the standardization process is devolved more to the local level.