Mass. Officials Endorse Idea of Whittle-Run Schools

By Mark Walsh

Gov. William F. Weld of Massachusetts and top state education officials have endorsed the idea of having the private Edison Project run some of the state's public schools.

No deal has been signed, and it may be several months before any formal arrangement is made. Nevertheless, public statements by the Massachusetts leaders have put them in the forefront of those willing to consider the controversial school-reform vision championed by the media entrepreneur Christopher Whittle and Benno C. Schmidt Jr., the former Yale University president who now serves as the president of the Edison Project.

Governor Weld and State Commissioner of Education Robert V. Antonucci appeared to endorse the project this month during a visit to...