Education Secretary Arne Duncan says that his department is trying to make a positive difference in the way teachers influence the lives of their students. He says his department’s new Race to the Top educational reform competition will allow this to happen. (0:16)
By Laura Smith, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
While Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is certainly pleased over the strides made by many schools, he concedes that more needs to be done to improve education.
During an award ceremony Wednesday honoring Texas’ Aldine Independent School District (ASID), Duncan noted that only seven out 10 public school students finish high school, and that only one in four college students can do college work.
“This simply isn’t just a personal failure. It’s a national failure,” Duncan said.
An additional $100 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds has recently been allocated for education reform.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation awarded the Aldine Independent School District (AISD) from outside Houston the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education. This award is the largest education award in the country, and the school district will receive $1 million in college scholarships.
Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg Ed.D., accepted the award.
Aldine has shown some of the most consistent student achievement gains nationally in the last decade and has been recognized as one of the top five most improved urban American school systems in four of the last six years.
The four finalists were Broward County Public Schools in southern Florida; Gwinnett County Public Schools outside Atlanta; the Long Beach Unified School District in California; and the Socorro Independent School District in Texas. Each finalist will receive $250,000 in college scholarships.
Dr. Bamberg said Aldine is 84% economically disadvantaged, and have watched their college students and college participation numbers decline in the past few years. She said the scholarship is truly the only way students can further their education.
“When you see the conditions that our students live, and understand that they truly do live in poverty in some places, then this doesn’t just represent a scholarship opportunity, it doesn’t just represent four years at school, it represents a future and a complete change of life for that individual student and, in many cases, the family of that student,” Bamberg said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said excellence is what the Broad Award has always been about. She said the nation’s children success is essential to the success of the U.S.
“Those blessed with the most serve all of us,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi said that while a high school diploma may gain entry into the workforce, but a college degree is a ticket to higher wages, more job security and a brighter future.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said today that he is optimistic about Education reform, despite the focus that has been payed to health care reform. (0:17)
Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service
Education Secretary Arne Duncan touched upon the $100 billion that has been provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for education Monday at the Conressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 2009 Public Policy Conference, stating “While the money might not be enough, and money alone is not the answer, it doesn’t hurt to have $100 billion dollars.”
The Secretary added that there are many urgent challenges facing education reform, but that he is optimistic over the future of the U.S. school system.
“We have a tall and ambitious agenda”, said Duncan. “We need to dramatically increase access [to education] and make sure it’s quality access… not just glorified babysitting.”
Secretary Duncan proposed the U.S. invest in early childhood education, adding “It’s the best investment you can make.”
Duncan also suggested the U.S. recognize talent in the education field by rewarding and shining a spotlight on great teachers, mentors and also principals. The Secretary also outlined his goal to cut drop out rates in underserved communities.
Talk Radio News Washington Bureau will be covering the following events:
- Address by Education Secretary Arne Duncan on education reform and his
agency’s role in President Obama’s economic stimulus efforts.
-”Administration’s 60-Day Review of Federal Cyber
Security Program.”
-Discussion on “Toward Universal Broadband: Developing a National
Broadband Strategy.”
Coffee Brown, University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News
Tom Cochran, CEO of the United States Conference of Mayors, describes cultural challenges to education reform.
Mark Tucker, President of the National Center on Education and the Economy, outlines the issues in education “Tough Choices or Tough Times” will address.
