Speeches

The Unfinished Work of Education Reform

It is a real pleasure to be able to join you today. And it also pleased me to see that this year's convention was being held here in Houston. Now, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but it's not because I'm in love with Houston's hot and humid summers. I've got plenty of that in DC. But it's because Houston has something in common with what's going on in Washington DC.

Partnering for Education Reform

Good evening! It's an absolute pleasure to be here.

Meeting President Obama's 2020 College Completion Goal

Under Secretary Martha Kanter and several senior ED officials discussed college completion and President Obama's 2020 Goal in the main auditorium at the Department of Education on July 21, 2011. Audience members included Department employees as well as a diverse group of external stakeholders. Topics included:

DREAM Act Testimony

Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Cornyn and members of the subcommittee:

Thank you for the opportunity to come here today to talk about the DREAM Act. As you know, the Obama administration strongly supports this legislation, which historically has enjoyed support from both sides of the aisle.

Making the Middle Grades Matter

I'm pleased to be here this evening for a couple of reasons.

Schools to Watch is doing absolutely invaluable work in the middle grades. You are helping to lead the field in middle grade reform—and as a nation, we do far too little to celebrate success in education.

Lessons from High-Performing Countries

I welcome this opportunity to reflect on what the United States can learn from the nations with the best-performing education systems. My thanks to Marc Tucker and the National Center on Education and the Economy for having me here today.

Res Non Verba--Deeds, Not Words

Thank you, Jermaine--and my thanks to the Student Government Association and to all of the class of 2011 for having me here today.

First things first--let me just say how disappointed Secretary Duncan was that he couldn't make the trip today. But he asked me to convey his praise and pride for the hard work that brought you to this graduation day and earning your degree.

Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at the Release of the National Institute for Early Education Research Report, "The State of Preschool 2010"

Note: Speaker deviated from prepared remarks.

I am pleased to be joining NIEER at the release of their annual State of Preschool report because early childhood education is so central to our children and our nation's future. Yet for all of the importance of early childhood education, NIEER's 2010 State of Preschool report reveals some troubling trends.

Rigor, Relevance, and the Future of Career and Technical Education

We're at a time when Americans everywhere are asking some very tough questions about education. But it all comes down to one: What will it take to dramatically improve public education in America?

Math Teachers: The Nation Builders of the 21st Century

I want to start by thanking you. All of you here today have dedicated your lives to the classroom and your students.

I know that you could have chosen easier jobs – and everyone knows there are plenty of better paying jobs--especially people with your high level of mathematical knowledge.