Duncan Steps Down as Secretary of Education
It was announced last Friday that the current US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, will step down in December. John King, former New York State Education Commissioner, will serve as acting Secretary after Arne's departure.
NEA President Lily Garcia had this to say after the announcement was made: "NEA and Secretary Duncan have always been in clear agreement that we need to strengthen public education and make sure all students have the opportunity to succeed. He has made important strides in the promotion of early childhood education, college affordability and teacher leadership. We've also had our disagreements. There is a lot to be done to ensure the success of all our students, including fixing overtesting and making sure every child in every zip code has a quality education.”
Duncan pushed through an unprecedented level of change in K-12 education in his nearly seven years in office, with his announcment, what will happen in this current state of educational activism? With the new update of ESEA currently sitting in Congress, there is a lot of debate on whether Duncan's resignation will end the reauthorization of ESEA or speed along the passage of the pivitol Act. There are arguments saying that Arne was the driving force, while others say he is a toxic presence in the Capital.
What are your thoughts to the resignation of Arne Duncan?
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