AFT, NEA praise Obama's choice for education secretary
The presidents of both major educator unions have praised President-Elect Obama's selection of Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan for U.S. education secretary.
"This could be the beginning of a promising new period for public education in this country," said National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel. "Arne Duncan has said before Congress that funding for NCLB should be doubled within five years, and that the law must be amended to give schools the maximum amount of flexibility possible. For too long, federal education policy has been about teaching to the test, and Duncan could use his new position to move beyond those failed policies, and provide every child with 21st-century skills."
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said, "We are pleased that President-Elect Barack Obama has selected Arne Duncan as his education secretary nominee. The position is as important as any other in the Cabinet, particularly because the decisions we make today about education affect our children's future as well as the health and well-being of our national democracy.
"As Chicago schools' chief executive officer, Duncan has shown a genuine commitment to what we see as the essential priorities for an incoming education secretary. There may be times when we will differ, but we believe we will agree fully that America's students and teachers need an education secretary committed to focusing on real solutions for closing the achievement gap and providing every child with a rigorous, well-rounded education that prepares him or her for college, work and life," Weingarten said.
Jo Anderson, executive director of the Illinois Education Association, said, "We applaud President-Elect Obama's choice of Arne Duncan to be the next secretary of education. In IEA-NEA, we have worked collaboratively with Arne Duncan on a number of ways to improve all Illinois public schools, including increased funding. In our experience, Arne Duncan is committed to working with others including the unions to promote excellence and equity in public education."
Duncan sees education as path to better society
Of his vision for advancing American education, Duncan said at the announcement press conference Dec. 16: “Whether it’s fighting poverty, strengthening the economy or promoting opportunity, education is the common thread. It is the civil rights issue of our generation and it is the one sure path to a more equal, fair and just society.
"While there are no simple answers, I know from experience that when you focus on basics like reading and math, when you embrace innovative new approaches to learning, and when you create a professional climate that attracts great teachers -- you can make a difference for children."
In announcing the nomination, Obama said, "When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners.
"In the next few years, the decisions we make about how to educate our children will shape our future for generations to come," 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."
Family includes other educators
Duncan, 44, is a Harvard University graduate. He comes from a family of educators. His siblings are both in education. His father is a psychology professor and his mother runs an after-school program for disadvantaged minority youth in Chicago. He has led the Chicago Public Schools since 2001 and is a friend and adviser to Obama.
The new education secretary willl inherit significant baggage from the Bush administration. NCLB alone is underfunded by $71 billion, and in economic downturns, school funding historically suffers.