Washington, D.C. – “Earlier today, President-elect Obama announced Arne Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools, as his nominee to become the next Secretary of Education.  Mr. Duncan’s steadfast resolve to reform failing Chicago schools demonstrates that he has both the leadership and innovative foresight necessary to meet the challenges of a 21st Century educational system.

“With Indianapolis high schools posting some of the lowest graduation rates in the country and with over 1 million American students dropping out of high school annually, it is very apparent that we need a substantive change in our nation’s education policies.  Furthermore, as the spouse of a teacher, I fully understand that when we properly prioritize the educational needs of our children, we greatly increase their chances for success and long-term financial security.     

“As our nation struggles with recession, I commend President-elect Obama for selecting a nominee who clearly understands how to best prepare our nation’s young people for the opportunities and pitfalls of an evolving global economy.  As the next Congress commences, I look forward to working with Mr. Duncan in overhauling No Child Left Behind, strengthening our students’ competitiveness in science and mathematics, improving inner-city school districts, and further expanding access to post-secondary education opportunities for all Americans.”

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