Speeches

Secretary Arne Duncan's Testimony Before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee on the Obama Administration's Blueprint for Reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

Thank you Chairman Harkin, Senator Enzi, and members of the committee. It's an honor to be here today.

Graduation Rates of NCAA Tournament Teams: Secretary Arne Duncan's Introductory Remarks in a Joint Press Call

Secretary Arne Duncan made these introductory remarks in a joint press call with Richard Lapchick, Director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida, and Benjamin Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP.

Reform, Accountability, and Leading from the Local Level: Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks to the National League of Cities' Congressional City Conference

Secretary LaHood is a tough act to follow. But I am delighted to be here today to talk about a cause that is urgent and personal—not just for me but for all of us gathered here today. As President Obama has said, there are "any number of actions we can take as a nation to enhance our competitiveness and secure a better future for our people.

Crossing the Next Bridge: Secretary Arne Duncan’s Remarks on the 45th Anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma, Alabama

It is a great honor--and a sobering one--to speak at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Here, 45 years ago, a recalcitrant state and governor slowly, begrudgingly, were forced to make due on the American promise of equal opportunity.

Statement of Arne Duncan on Race to the Top Rollout

Last July, I joined with President Obama to kick off the Race to the Top. This competition, which was funded through the Recovery Act with the support of Congress, put unprecedented resources—$4.35 billion dollars—on the table to reward states that are ready to dramatically re-shape America's educational system.

We said from the beginning that we were going to set a very high bar in this competition, that we would only reward excellence, and that winning would require an all hands on deck approach to reform.

Using Technology to Transform Schools—Remarks by Secretary Arne Duncan at the Association of American Publishers Annual Meeting

This is an extraordinary time for all of us in the field of education. One year ago, schools throughout the country were facing an education catastrophe. One estimate said that 600,000 jobs were at risk. Working together, the President and Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with $100 billion for education.

Preparing the Teachers and School Leaders of Tomorrow: Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Conference

Thank you. I want to talk to you today about a paradox that can handcuff efforts at education reform. The paradox is this: Everyone in this hall would agree that great teachers and principals hold the key to America's children getting a first-rate education—nothing is more important.

Under Secretary Martha Kanter's Remarks at the 2010 AIEA Conference

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. I'm thrilled that Andre Lewis, our new Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Education, could join me here this afternoon. This position was included in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act because Congressman Holt and his colleagues recognized the need for leadership in international education in the U.S.

Leading from the Superintendent's Office: Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at the American Association of School Administrators Conference

Thank you. During the seven-and-a-half years I was CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, I sometimes got the question: "Why in the world would you ever want to be a school superintendent?"

Remarks of Dr. Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana to the National Association for Bilingual Education

Thank you for inviting me to address this group of valued colleagues and champions—it is wonderful to be here among so many people committed to guaranteeing an excellent education for every child in America.