Markell cleared for National Education Panel

DOVER, Del. – (AP) Delaware's Supreme Court says Gov. Jack Markell can serve on a national education panel without endangering his job as Delaware's chief executive.

Markell had asked the court for an opinion on whether accepting a seat on the National Assessment Governing Board would violate the state constitution, which says a state office holder cannot simultaneously hold federal office.

The board oversees the National Assessment of Education Progress, or NAEP, commonly known as the nation's report card.

In a unanimous opinion, the court said the board post does not require Senate confirmation and is not under the control of the U.S. education secretary, so its OK for Markell to serve.