Arne Duncan Named Secretary of Education

Earlier today, President-elect Barack Obama named Arne Duncan, CEO of the Chicago school system, as Secretary of Education. Duncan brings a stellar record of improving Chicago schools to Washington.

For Arne Duncan, CEO of the Chicago school system, "school reform isn’t just a theory in a book -- it’s the cause of his life," President-elect Obama said in announcing him as his choice for Secretary of Education.

"In the next few years, the decisions we make about how to educate our children will shape our future for generations to come," President-elect Obama said. "And the results aren't just about test scores or statistics, but about whether our children are developing the skills they need to compete with any worker in the world for any job." [...]

"In just seven years, he’s boosted elementary test scores here in Chicago from 38 percent of students meeting the standards to 67 percent. The dropout rate has gone down every year he’s been in charge. And on the ACT, the gains of Chicago students have been twice as big as those for students in the rest of the state," President-elect Obama said.

As Chief Executive Officer of Chicago schools, Duncan oversaw the closing and re-opening of Dodge Renaissance Academy, a school on Chicago's West Side that was the site of this morning's press conference. President-elect Obama pointed out that since the school re-opened in 2003, "the number of students meeting state standards has more than tripled."

Comments (5) «

I disagree he didn't jack for CPS>>>>>>>OBAMA NOT this one............but I'll roll with it since it's you. I believe in your ability to run this country.....but Arne is questionable

1

motheroffour on December 16, 2008 at 03:20 PM

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2

SwirlyEyedObamabot on December 16, 2008 at 08:08 PM

I have hoped for years that an Educational Secretary would be able to get the message across to every child in our Nation, how important education is for their maturity and freedom. Everychild that has become something in a specialty field, whether it is a plumber or an attorney they feel the maturity and the freedom to lead a successful life. If that one point were to be believed by everychild, our children wouldn't feel the need to resort to crime or narcotics, or giving up! Let us all unite to build confidence in our children that they can specilize in something, where ever their interest lies.

3

oneforall on December 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM

President Obama says, "the results aren't just about test scores or statistics" but then goes on to quote statistics and two different tests and their scores. When are we ever going to move beyond the business model of education and get back to really educating kids, supporting their strengths and addressing their needs. Stop this mindless reliance on tests, please.

4

dvanausdale on February 7, 2009 at 11:29 PM

Can the Secretary of Education explain to me how we can continue to fund 2 invasions, promise 900 million dollars to rebuild gaza while our education system continues to crumble away, Teachers laid off and the asnine idea to cut schools to 4 days a week???

5

gcblaze on March 21, 2009 at 07:53 PM

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