Obama chooses Chicago schools chief Ed. Secretary

[dbackjon]

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama announced Arne Duncan, the head of the Chicago school system, as education secretary Tuesday and declared that failing to improve classroom instruction is "morally unacceptable for our children."

"When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners," Obama said, making the announcement at a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan's leadership.

"He's not beholden to any one ideology, and he's worked tirelessly to improve teacher quality," Obama said.

Duncan stood nearby, the latest member to be named to the Cabinet of the president-elect. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

"No issue is more pressing than education. ... It is the civil rights issue of our generation," Duncan said in brief remarks

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_ ... r_wh/obama

[dbackjon]

Don't know a whole lot about this guy.

[HI54UNI]

Was listening to local talk radio while driving home today and the Christian zealots are all foaming at mouth because he wanted to create a high school for gays. Of course we all know this is much more important than looking at how he did as supt. of Chicago schools (and I have no I idea what is record is).

[travelinman67]

Was listening to local talk radio while driving home today and the Christian zealots are all foaming at mouth because he wanted to create a high school for gays. Of course we all know this is much more important than looking at how he did as supt. of Chicago schools (and I have no I idea what is record is).

Yeah, I saw that too. Looks like he went after the status quo, however, forcing merit back into the mix with both the teachers and administrators...so that's a HUGE plus. He's a Haw-vawd educated sociologist, so the "gay friendly" HS might have been a political payback, or an experiment. As Ed Sec, I doubt he's going to be floating experiments. The primary ed problems are currently so severe, any "donk'in" around with test programs, particularly ones that would incite the bible thumpers, will just draw unwanted attention to Obama's Admin, and distract from the mission of improving the ed system.

The only strike I see against him is that he's another Ivy Leaguer. For someone who's platform was founded on incorporating "diversity" into our everyday lives, Obama's been heavily leaning on the Ivy Leaguers for his staff and cabinet appts., which hardly can be classified as "diverse".

BTW, Jon...this isn't any kind of "litmus" issue...discussion/advocacy of "gay" issues as they pertain to public schools should exist on the same plane as racism. There shouldn't be "black friendly" or "asian friendly" schools, but any person in any public school found violating ANY childs civil rights or attacking/harrassing ANY fellow student because of race, ethnicity, religion, etc...should be severely punished including suspension or expulsion.

[dbackjon]

I am not generally in favor of "gay" high schools. Schools should not tolerate ANY bullying of any type. Any principal or teacher that allows it should be fired.

[AZGrizFan]

Christ. How many more Chicago politicians is Obama going to grant political favors to? Are there NO smart politicians outside of Chicago?

[dbackjon]

Christ. How many more Chicago politicians is Obama going to grant political favors to? Are there NO smart politicians outside of Chicago?

Nope...

Presidents all do that. Bush had a lot of dumb Texans...

[AZGrizFan]

Christ. How many more Chicago politicians is Obama going to grant political favors to? Are there NO smart politicians outside of Chicago?

Nope...

Presidents all do that. Bush had a lot of dumb Texans...

"Change" my ass. The gullibility of America never ceases to amaze me.

[lifesapuntreturn]

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama announced Arne Duncan, the head of the Chicago school system, as education secretary Tuesday and declared that failing to improve classroom instruction is "morally unacceptable for our children."

"When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners," Obama said, making the announcement at a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan's leadership.

"He's not beholden to any one ideology, and he's worked tirelessly to improve teacher quality," Obama said.

Duncan stood nearby, the latest member to be named to the Cabinet of the president-elect. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

"No issue is more pressing than education. ... It is the civil rights issue of our generation," Duncan said in brief remarks

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_ ... r_wh/obama

Since Obama has decided to bring "morality" into the education discussion, I'd love to hear him explain how nominating a gay high school advocate for education secretary squares with "morality" in America's public schools.

[dbackjon]

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama announced Arne Duncan, the head of the Chicago school system, as education secretary Tuesday and declared that failing to improve classroom instruction is "morally unacceptable for our children."

"When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners," Obama said, making the announcement at a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan's leadership.

"He's not beholden to any one ideology, and he's worked tirelessly to improve teacher quality," Obama said.

Duncan stood nearby, the latest member to be named to the Cabinet of the president-elect. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

"No issue is more pressing than education. ... It is the civil rights issue of our generation," Duncan said in brief remarks

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_ ... r_wh/obama

Since Obama has decided to bring "morality" into the education discussion, I'd love to hear him explain how nominating a gay high school advocate for education secretary squares with "morality" in America's public schools.

there is nothing immoral about being gay...