From the Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
“Every student who wants a college education should have the academic preparation and financial support they need to achieve their goal. This is a challenge and a priority for the Obama administration,” said Durbin. “Arne has been a tremendous asset to my state of Illinois. Chicago will miss his leadership. But he will be an excellent education secretary. The students of America could not have a stronger advocate on their behalf.”
Duncan was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools – the third largest school district in America – in 2001. Over the last seven and a half years, Duncan has made Chicago a model of school system reform. His approach to school reform has resulted in higher test scores, lower dropout rates, increased college enrollment, more than 100 new schools, and an expansion of after-school and Saturday programs. Duncan and his wife Karen currently reside in Hyde Park with their two children.
Text of Durbin’s remarks as prepared:
President-Elect Obama has asked Arne Duncan to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education.
Arne Duncan was appointed CEO of Chicago Public Schools in 2001. Since then, we have watched him tackle the challenge of turning around troubled schools in Chicago.
Chicago Public Schools is the 3rd-largest school district in America with all the challenges of any urban school district.
Arne is a leader. He has consistently surpassed expectations through his hard work and clear dedication to Chicago’s children.
Arne understands the challenges of urban education. Education has been his life – starting as a child, when he spent every afternoon at his mother’s tutoring program for inner-city children.
Many of his views about urban education were shaped by this experience, and you will learn more about those views over the course of this hearing.
Arne also worked in the non-profit sector. He adopted a whole class of children and sent them to college. He started a school in Chicago built around financial literacy.
You might also have heard that Arne has played basketball all his life—including professionally in Australia. He will tell you that the discipline and teamwork that he acquired on the court has helped him off the court.
But it is his work with the Chicago Public Schools that really stands out.
I have visited many Chicago schools with Arne, stood with him at public events and press conferences, and followed his reform efforts closely.
He lights up when he’s talking about the latest school that is beating the odds or a new program reaching students who had been written off.
But he doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges he encounters along the way. He is straightforward, thoughtful, and honest.
Today, Chicago enjoys a reputation as a model of school system reform, and I credit Arne’s leadership -- his work ethic, his focus, and his determination.
Over 7 ½ years, Arne has raised test scores, lowered dropout rates, boosted college enrollment, opened more than 100 new schools, and expanded after-school and Saturday programs.
Through it all, he has maintained good relations with business leaders, unions, and elected officials—even as he pushed forward tough reforms. Arne Duncan understands that real, meaningful change in our toughest schools depends on participation from all parties.
Arne knows when to compromise and he knows when to hold firm. One of his toughest reforms was closing down low-performing schools in Chicago. It was very controversial. But Arne knew that these schools were failing their students, and he never blinked. Today, the children who were in those schools are much better off.
No other district in the country has been as aggressive about holding schools accountable for performance or as willing to try new innovative methods of improving schools. He will bring the same high standards and focus on innovation to the Department of Education.
American education is at a critical moment. Thirty years ago, the U.S. ranked 1st internationally in graduating students from high school and college. Today, we rank 15th.
This is not the time for America to fall behind. It’s time to raise the bar. We need to make sure that every student who wants a college education receives the academic preparation and financial support they need to achieve their goal. Every student who wants a college education should have the academic preparation and financial support they need to achieve their goal.
This is a challenge and a priority for the Obama administration. Arne Duncan is the right leader to carry that agenda forward. He has my complete confidence and highest recommendation.
Arne has been a tremendous asset to my state of Illinois. Chicago will miss his leadership.
But he will be an excellent education secretary. The students of America could not have a stronger advocate on their behalf.
It’s an honor to introduce my friend, a great educator and a great leader, Arne Duncan.
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