By Statehouse Bureau Staff
May 28, 2010, 5:05AM

TRENTON, NJ – In a rare accord between two warring factions, the state’s largest teachers union has joined Gov. Chris Christie’s administration in supporting an application for a federal grant that could bring up to $400 million to New Jersey’s public schools.
The New Jersey Education Association refused to endorse the state’s first Race to the Top application, but relented after both sides compromised on what had been the biggest sticking points — merit pay, teacher seniority, evaluations and tenure.
“We are extremely pleased that the 200,000-member NJEA has agreed to endorse our application and its bold reform agenda designed to improve education in New Jersey,” Education Commissioner Bret Schundler said in a statement.
Administration officials would not say whether the agreements reached for this application represented a long-term policy shift from goals Christie has been pushing since he took office in January.

Read the full article at nj.com