According to a recent NY Times article, “This is the most assertive secretary of education we’ve ever had,” said Carl Kaestle, an education historian at Brown University who has studied the federal role in 20th-century American schooling.
It’s not news that Education Secretary Arne Duncan has been a very public advocate of President Obama in the light of the education reform actions of late, and it should go to say that he would be. However, historically speaking, Sec. Duncan is a unique player in his role. In the not so recent past, the president has driven, both publically and privately, the tone or any education reform or action.
In this time of the most cumulative revamping of the US education system, Sec. Duncan is not only on the frontline of the attacks that continue to roll in against the recent education changes, but he is a highly vocal soldier for that cause.
When asked about a comment made regarding the activity of the government as a partner with school authorities instead of a “boss”, Duncan said, “We’re not going to stand idly by where you have populations that are being poorly served, where we are in fact perpetuating poverty and social failure,” he said last week in an interview in his office. “Our country can’t afford that.”
Sec. Duncan is a strong supporter of the accountability that President Obama has so frequently noted in his discussions about the education system, a stand that has brought a lot of open fire against him and the President from opposing politicians.
As the parents, educators and students that are being affected by the new education standards and federal involvement, it’s important to speak out for the rights of your school. The ultimate goal of the new education reforms are a crib-to-college approach that should help all students achieve the well-rounded education they need to succeed in this global economy. Even if you don’t agree with specific aspects of the plan, take action simply because for once, we have a President and a Secretary of Education that is willing to walk the talk for our kids’ future.
Posted By: Paul Adams
Wednesday, May 19th 2010 at 11:23AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
