Secretary of Education

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the head of the U.S. Department of Education

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At a Glance: U.S. Secretaries of Education
Check out these pages for a deep look at each secretary's tenure, challenges, and accomplishments.
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Federal Duncan to Business: Defend Standards
The education secretary wants business leaders to step up their backing for common standards and other K-12 policy changes.
Andrew Ujifusa, April 23, 2013
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1 min read
Federal Decision Point Approaches on District-Level Waivers
Education Secretary Arne Duncan eyes March for deciding whether to open the door to district-level NCLB waivers in states that haven’t won them.
Michele McNeil, February 26, 2013
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4 min read
Federal Arne Duncan Hears District-Level Squawks on Agenda
Local school boards are complaining about what they see as the federal government's overreach into K-12 schools.
Michele McNeil, February 5, 2013
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3 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan attends a wake for Dawn Hochsprung, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Conn. She was one of the six staff members shot to death at the school last month.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan attends a wake for Dawn Hochsprung, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Conn. She was one of the six staff members shot to death at the school last month.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty
School Climate & Safety Chicago Years Inform Ed. Secretary's Views on Gun Violence
Arne Duncan is among those tasked by the White House to craft proposals in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shootings.
Michele McNeil, January 11, 2013
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7 min read
School & District Management Arne Duncan Sketches Out 'Long Haul' Agenda
The education secretary aims to tackle teacher and principal quality in President Obama's second term—and maintain momentum from his first.
Michele McNeil, December 4, 2012
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6 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says he would like to stay on if President Barack Obama is re-elected in November.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says he would like to stay on if President Barack Obama is re-elected in November.
Stephen Voss for Education Week
School & District Management Duncan to Give Districts Shot at Race to Top
With a fresh, $550 million pot of cash, the education secretary is looking to jump-start district-level competitive initiatives.
Michele McNeil, January 20, 2012
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7 min read
School & District Management Duncan's Bus Tour Visits Swing States
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan helped spread the administration's message with a bus tour that just happened to crisscross electorally important swing states.
Alyson Klein, September 13, 2011
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1 min read
U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., left, the leading Democrat on the House education committee, listens as U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan makes a point during a discussion of reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act on June 14 at the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based think-tank.
U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., left, the leading Democrat on the House education committee, listens as U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan makes a point during a discussion of reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act on June 14 at the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based think-tank.
Andrew Councill/Education Week
Federal States Cautious on Duncan's NCLB-Flexibility Offer
States are taking a wait-and-see attitude on the prospect of waivers for those that embrace the education secretary's agenda.
Michele McNeil & Alyson Klein, June 20, 2011
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8 min read
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visits with students during a visit to Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School on May 31 in Minneapolis.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visits with students during a visit to Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School on May 31 in Minneapolis.
Jim Mone/AP
States New Leeway on Horizon Under NCLB
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is preparing to grant states relief from key provisions of the NCLB law in exchange for what he calls "commitments to key reforms."
Michele McNeil, June 14, 2011
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8 min read
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visits with students during a visit to Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School on May 31 in Minneapolis.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visits with students during a visit to Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School on May 31 in Minneapolis.
Jim Mone/AP
Federal As NCLB Renewal Stalls, Duncan Vows Flexibility
The U.S. Secretary of Education will offer states relief from some NCLB mandates if they hew to his reform priorities.
Michele McNeil, June 12, 2011
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9 min read
Federal Opinion An Open Letter From Arne Duncan to America's Teachers
With the start of Teacher Appreciation Week, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan addresses the nation's educators.
Arne Duncan, May 2, 2011
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4 min read
Federal Duncan Issues Far More NCLB Waivers Than Predecessors
The education secretary granted 315 waivers in 2009, a nine-fold increase over his predecessor's waivers the year before.
Michele McNeil, April 22, 2011
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11 min read
School & District Management Duncan's Alarm on 'Failing' Schools Raises Eyebrows
Some policy experts question the Education Department's claim that 82 percent of schools may fall short this year on the NCLB yardstick.
Michele McNeil, March 11, 2011
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5 min read
Federal Video U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on ESEA
July 21, 2010
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2:22
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