In 1993, Weld approved the Massachusetts Education Reform Act. The legislation doubled state funding for K-12 public education and created standardized benchmarks for student success across the state, including the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, a multi-subject assessment that was administered at multiple grade levels. The bill also gave the board of education the authority to develop curriculum and instructional standards.

"A good education in a safe environment is the magic wand that brings opportunity," Weld stated regarding the legislation.

On July 29, 1997, Weld resigned from his post as governor of Massachusetts to pursue a nomination to serve as ambassador to Mexico. Weld had been nominated by President Bill Clinton (D) earlier that year; however, Senator Jesse Helms (R-N.C.)—then-chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—refused to hold confirmation hearings for Weld, criticizing his stance on drugs as too soft.

"I don't believe it would be fair to the people of Massachusetts to permit the conduct of their government to become embroiled in the vagaries of Washington politics," Weld commented on his resignation from the governorship. He eventually withdrew his name for consideration in September of that year.

Weld later told New York Magazine that the nomination had resulted from a series of talks with the Clintons in which they discussed various possible cabinet positions and ambassadorial appointments for Weld. "I gave them six [possible positions], and I got back a list of three: the Court of St. James, India, and Mexico. I chose Mexico, which is the one that Bill and Hillary hoped I would choose," he stated.

Assistant U.S. attorney general (1986-1987)

Weld briefly served as the assistant U.S. attorney general overseeing the criminal division in the Department of Justice from 1986 to 1987. He eventually resigned after conflicts with U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese, who appointed Weld to the position, over which division of the department should investigate the Iran-contra affair.

U.S. attorney for Massachusetts (1981-1986)

Weld was named U.S. attorney for Massachusetts after Republican President Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981. He served until his promotion to assistant U.S. attorney general in 1986.

Weld was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1990, defeating Democrat John Silber in the general election to become the first Republican to win the office in 20 years.

Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993

In 1993, Weld approved the Massachusetts Education Reform Act. The legislation doubled state funding for K-12 public education and created standardized benchmarks for student success across the state, including the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, a multi-subject assessment that was administered at multiple grade levels. The bill also gave the board of education the authority to develop curriculum and instructional standards.

"A good education in a safe environment is the magic wand that brings opportunity," Weld stated regarding the legislation.

Resignation and nomination as U.S. ambassador to Mexico

On July 29, 1997, Weld resigned from his post as governor of Massachusetts to pursue a nomination to serve as ambassador to Mexico. Weld had been nominated by President Bill Clinton (D) earlier that year; however, Senator Jesse Helms (R-N.C.)—then-chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—refused to hold confirmation hearings for Weld, criticizing his stance on drugs as too soft.

"I don't believe it would be fair to the people of Massachusetts to permit the conduct of their government to become embroiled in the vagaries of Washington politics," Weld commented on his resignation from the governorship. He eventually withdrew his name for consideration in September of that year.

Weld later told New York Magazine that the nomination had resulted from a series of talks with the Clintons in which they discussed various possible cabinet positions and ambassadorial appointments for Weld. "I gave them six [possible positions], and I got back a list of three: the Court of St. James, India, and Mexico. I chose Mexico, which is the one that Bill and Hillary hoped I would choose," he stated.

Weld briefly served as the assistant U.S. attorney general overseeing the criminal division in the Department of Justice from 1986 to 1987. He eventually resigned after conflicts with U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese, who appointed Weld to the position, over which division of the department should investigate the Iran-contra affair.

Weld was named U.S. attorney for Massachusetts after Republican President Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981. He served until his promotion to assistant U.S. attorney general in 1986.