I was fortunate to be able to attend a White House reception this evening, hosted by President and Mrs. Bush to thank the people who worked in their Administration over the last eight years. The very idea is silly, of course: The president doesn’t owe us any thanks at all; it’s very much the opposite. But it’s of a piece with the Bushes’ warmth and regard for the people who worked for them, and it was a fun time, offering the opportunity to catch up with former colleagues and experience the White House once more.

The event ran like most White House Christmas receptions, with the president and Mrs. Bush saying hello and snapping a photo with everyone while food and drinks were served on the State Floor. But it differed at the end, as the president said a few words in the East Room.

As you would expect, the atmosphere was like a mini pep rally. After all, the audience had drunk deeply of the Kool Aid. But what was interesting is that when the president mentioned a few points of pride over the last eight years, the very first thing he highlighted was that more inner city school kids are learning how to read thanks to education reform.

Even after his Administration has been taken over by foreign policy crises and urgent economic events, George Bush still gives a lot of weight to that original education promise he made when running for president nine years ago.

No Child Left Behind was arguably the pinnacle of bipartisanship over the last eight years, serving as the foundation for the president’s working relationship with Ted Kennedy. And it’s had extraordinary impact. I’m not just talking about classroom results, though the numbers are strong. I’m talking about the fact that NCLB has become a part of American culture. It’s mentioned casually on late-night comedy shows, featured as the subject of serious investigative journalism, and known to parents across America.

These days, No Child Left Behind is shorthand for a certain type of education reform, and judging by President-elect Obama’s choice to run the Education Department, it will continue to dominate the education discussion for some time.

Tonight it was further evidence that, despite all the cynicism about what gets flung about on the campaign trail, the promises a candidate makes while running for office may very well be the measure by which he judges himself as he walks away from the job.