Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has maintained for a while now that he wants the state to seize control of 30 struggling schools, as authorized by No Child Left Behind.

Dubbed "readiness" schools, they would technically remain a part of their school districts, but be run by the state. That's a novel concept, which no matter how carefully structured, is sure to generate a lot of tension--having nothing to do with the local teacher's union, but everything to do with district officials and state employees.

That's not to say the unions don't have plenty of reason to have their guard up. The plan is to allow these schools, like numerous charter schools, to void any contract provision that impedes school improvement. So far, the state's teachers' unions have been relatively quiet. But as the likelihood of the new-style schools grows, it will be interesting to see how long union officials can bite their tongues.

The 30 schools in Patrick's plan fall within 16 districts. As a signal that this is not all bluster on Patrick's part, the schools have already been given a pittance--$10,500--to start planning.

The state thinks that this move is going to win big bonus points from the U.S. Department of Education and its Race to the Top competition. However, there's still that little nagging problem already fingered by Secretary Duncan, Massachusetts' cap on charter schools, which, under current policy, could prevent the state from winning any federal dollars.