Secretary Duncan recently sat down to answer a couple of questions received on his Facebook page.
He responds to a question about what ED is doing to provide real advice in these tough economic times. The Secretary states that “given the very tough fiscal reality, there are smart ways to cut and, frankly, dumb ways to cut. First and foremost, we have to do everything we can to protect the classroom, to keep cuts away from students, away from classrooms, away from teachers.” Duncan also says that it’s important to not cut key investments that are making a difference in the lives of students.
Click here to read the promising practices documents that ED recently sent to state leaders.
The Secretary also answered a question about what ED is doing to support existing teachers. He noted that through the Recovery Act, the Obama administration has saved hundreds of thousands of teacher jobs over the past two years. He also explains that one of ED’s top priorities is to continue elevating and strengthening the teaching profession.
Click here for an alternate version of the video with an accessible player.
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I agree with Norm and Ellen. We’ve got to do something about education. What do our children have to look forward to?
I strongly agree with Norm. I have paid over $1100 trying to pass the Praxis II exam. I have lost my home, cars and career, because of failure to pass the Praxis II. I have a doctorate degree in Education Leadership, I am a professional writer, editor and lecturer. I have been taking the Praxis II test since 2003. It goes without saying, if this test proves one is a highly qualified teacher, why are we failing to improve our schools? Why are we experiencing achievement gaps? Why are our children being left behind? Young teachers will not find the school book learners from their college textbooks.
If we really want to elevate the teaching profession, we should give waivers to people over age 55 so they can teach what they know unimpeded by the certification processes, district rules, Praxis testing and all the other bureaucratic nonsense. Many of these folks are highly skilled, articulate with vast amounts of experience but abhor the department of education rules and policies that are best geared for the under-thirty crowd.
Out of curiosity, would the Secretary consider cutting the National Writing Project a smart cut or dumb cut?
Sincerely,
Chad Sansing