Obama Cabinet and Key White House Staff
13. Arne Duncan (D) - Secretary of Education
CEO, Chicago Public Schools
Former Director, Ariel Education Initiative, Chicago
Nominated: December 16, 2008
Obama’s comments:
“We need a new vision for a 21st century education system—one where we aren’t just supporting existing schools, but spurring innovation; where we’re not just investing more money, but demanding more reform; where parents take responsibility for their children’s success; where we’re recruiting, retaining, and rewarding an army of new teachers; where we hold our schools, teachers and government accountable for results; and where we expect all our children not only to graduate high school, but to graduate college and get a good paying job.
“These are precisely the goals to which Arne Duncan has devoted his life—from his days back in college, tutoring children here in Chicago; to his work at the helm of a non-profit remaking schools on the South Side; to his time working for the Chicago Public Schools, where he became Chief Executive Officer of this city’s school system.
“When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners. For Arne, school reform isn’t just a theory in a book – it’s the cause of his life. 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.
“When faced with tough decisions, Arne doesn’t blink. He’s not beholden to any one ideology – and he doesn’t hesitate for one minute to do what needs to be done. He’s worked tirelessly to improve teacher quality, increasing the number of master teachers who’ve completed a rigorous national certification process from 11 to just shy of 1,200, and rewarding school leaders and teachers for gains in student achievement. He’s championed good charter schools—even when it was controversial. He’s shut down failing schools and replaced their entire staffs—even when it was unpopular. Dodge Renaissance Academy is a perfect example—since this school was revamped and re-opened in 2003, the number of students meeting state standards has more than tripled.
“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.
“So when Arne speaks to educators across America, it won’t be from up in some ivory tower, but from the lessons he’s learned during his years changing our schools from the bottom up.
“With his leadership, I am confident that together, we will bring our education system—and our economy—into the 21st century, and give all our kids the chance to succeed.”
Others’ comments:
“Secretary Duncan has the right stuff to make huge and positive changes in the lives of our public school children. He did it in Chicago and I want him to repeat those successes across our nation. He’s truly a scholar-athlete and a future role model to millions of kids.”
—The Huffington Post, Dennis Danziger column
“Chicago Mayor Richard Daley tapped Duncan to be schools chief in 2001, after first offering the job to someone else. Duncan was only 36 and had never before held a high-powered post and had never even had his own secretary, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago school system is the third-largest in the country.
“While head of Chicago schools, Duncan did not shy away from controversy. His decision to close failing schools and use unconventional methods to increase academic performance has often been met with resistance from the community.
“Duncan has been a strong advocate for charter schools, performance pay for teachers, sex segregated education, and funding increases for No Child Left Behind. He also supported a proposal for a high school catering to gay students, called Pride Campus.
“In 2000, 76% of Chicago public school students showed up for class on the first day of the year. By 2003, the rate was 89%. Duncan has sent district representatives to students' homes to urge them to attend and offered tickets to sporting events to lure students to school. First-day attendance levels help determine year-long state funding levels.
“To discourage students from quitting school, beginning in 2004, potential Chicago dropouts were required to sign a form acknowledging statements such as: ‘I will not be able to afford many things that I will see others acquiring,’ ‘I will be less likely to find good jobs that pay well, bad jobs that don’t pay well, or maybe any jobs,’ and ‘I will be more likely to rely on the state welfare system for my livelihood.’
“After the federal government tried to yank No Child Left Behind funding in 2004 from a Chicago tutoring program, Duncan threatened to sue the U.S. Department of Education. The federal policy stated that under-performing districts, like Chicago, weren’t eligible to use federal funds for tutoring programs. Duncan said the funding cut was ‘a slap in the face’ to Chicago’s neediest students. The DOE eventually relented and allowed the funding to be used as Duncan wanted.
“In March 2008, Duncan decreed that although No Child Left Behind mandated students whose first language is not English take the same standardized tests as others, the scores for these bilingual students would not determine whether they would be allowed to move on to the next grade level. He justified his decision by saying that the federal rule would unfairly punish schools with bilingual students.
“In September 2008, Duncan launched a program in 20 Chicago schools to pay students for good grades. Straight-A students could earn up to $4,000 per year through the program, funded by private donations.”
—Time Magazine
Approved: January 20, 2009
Sworn in: January 20, 2009
Challenges:
“The 44-year-old will have a lot on his plate, if confirmed, including what to do with President Bush's much maligned No Child Left Behind policy and how to make college more affordable.”
—Time Magazine
Appointment Impact:
“Mayor Richard Daley’s appointment of Chicago Transit Authority president Ron Huberman to run the city’s schools has stirred up controversy. Some were hoping for a CEO with more education experience.”
—Chicago Public Radio
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