N.Y. State Education Commissioner John King Jr. To Step Down, Head To Washington
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- John King Jr. will step down at the end of the year as the New York state education commissioner, for a post in the Obama administration.
The state Department of Education said Wednesday that King will leave his state position to be senior adviser to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
King was appointed commissioner in May 2011 and oversaw a series of major and often contested reforms, including implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards intended to better prepare students for college and careers.
He also was at the helm when New York state began requiring annual teacher evaluations based in part on student performance on Common Core-aligned standardized tests, a position that made him the main target of opposition to both initiatives.
In a statement, King said he is ``humbled and honored'' to work with President Barack Obama and with Duncan.
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