Education Sec: ‘The Best Ideas…in Education Are Never Going to Come from Me’
- Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:23pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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Merely days after U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan slammed the Texas school system for suffering under Governor Rick Perry — despite being presented with proof to the contrary — he made the rather conservative-sounding statement Wednesday that “the best ideas, I’ve always said, in education are never going to come from me or frankly from anyone else in Washington.”
What is perhaps most interesting, is that Duncan’s statement seems to reveal a certain degree of self-awareness, acknowledging that meaningful ideas on education do not come from government bureaucrats, but rather people on the ground, and at the local level.
Duncan also alleged some U.S. schools are testing their students too much.
“Washington can never run public education, and what we want to do is we want to be a good partner,” Duncan stated in a webcast in which he answered questions via Twitter.
“We want to reward courage, we want to reward excellence, we want to reward creativity, we want to hold folks accountable to high bars, but education has always been and should be at the local level.”
Duncan sealed the deal with the statement: “And the best ideas, I’ve always said, in education are never going to come from me or frankly from anyone else in Washington.”
“They’re always going to come from great teachers, great principals at the local level,” said Duncan. “We want to hold them accountable, but give them lots more room to move and to do the right thing for the children in their community where they know best what those children and what the community need.”
CNSNews adds that Duncan argued that in some jurisdictions students spend too much time preparing for and taking tests:
“I think in some places we do test too much, I think it varies,” said Duncan. “So, do I think we should evaluate students each year to see how they’re doing and progressing? Absolutely. But when you have too many tests or spending all your time on test prep that never leads to good results–so I think there’s real variation around the country. I think some places are doing this pretty well. Some are probably absolutely over-testing.”
Duncan said that 10 days of testing during a school year was too much.
“My children are in a great public school system,” he said. “They’re evaluated annually. I have no problem with that. If they’re getting tested 15 times a year or multiple different tests I have a problem with that.”
When asked how many days of the “traditional standard bubble test” are too many, Duncan said, “It should be a tiny percent of what we’re doing. So should students be tested 10 days? No, I think 10 days is a lot.”
“I think that’s a lot, yeah,” said Duncan. “And it’s not just the testing. … It’s the filling the bubble, you know, practicing that and, you know, if all you’re doing is doing that kind of work and not doing great instruction, great creativity, the students aren’t going to do well anyway.”
Duncan criticized the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind Law saying it was an “impediment” for education. He said states will be able to apply for No Child Left Behind waivers in September, adding that the Obama administration has the authority to grant those without breaking any laws.
“I’ve talked to almost every governor,” said Duncan about the waivers. “I think I’ve talked to 47, 48 governors. What’s interesting, John, is there’s lots of noise here in Washington. Every single governor has said thanks for moving in this direction. Not one governor has said we don’t need this. And many governors have actually said, ‘Thank God someone in Washington is actually listening to real teachers and real people.’”
CNS adds that, according to the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Education spending rose from $33.476 billion in 2000 to $92.858 billion in 2010.
Watch Duncan deliver his statement below:
Was Duncan perhaps following a conservative line of thinking when he made his comment regarding where the best ideas in education come from? What say you?
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Comments (110)
MiCurmudgeon
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:10pm……or anyone else in Washington.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 9:11pm.
Arne Duncan was supernatant of schools in Chicago.
Chicago? Nuff said.
Wasn’t Al Capone from Chicago? I‘m just sayin’.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 9:27pmOne of those no brainers. Look to when America ranked in the top nations in the world, and see what was different then to now.
-Back then, there was no federal involvement or secretary of education (Jimmy Carter started this stupidity during his turn at destroying this nation).
-Back then, kids in school could still pray, and we did not teach evolution
-Back then, the local gov and parents had a hand in what went on in the local school
-Back then, you did not bring the cross- town heathen into your school to destroy it, and drop the standards to the lowest common denominator.
-Back then we had strict dress codes. Boys were expected to act and look like young men. We did not have Tyrone, Pookey, and Ray-Ray thugging it up, walking the halls in the gang attire, with butt crack showing and pants sagging on the grown. Girls looked like young ladies and acted as such
-Back then, we had discipline, and it was strict. Kids that acted up, got a trip to the principles office, where they had a paddle put across their butt. They got sent home with a note, and their parents did not run to the ACLU, they took a belt, and tore up juniors tail some more.
-Back then, our focus was reading, math, writing. Kids also learend physics, geography, and real American history, that did not put America down. We did not teach sex education, and pro homesexual filth. Robert E. Lee was in the history book, and the femenists and multi culturalists had not yet hijacked the cu
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 9:56pmLet me tell you something.
Report Post »There are plenty of reasons to criticize Texas schools. About the only good thing you can say about them is they aren’t the worst: 49th in verbal SAT scores and 46th in average math SAT scores. They have dismal high school graduation rates.
Texas employs a higher percentage of minimum wage workers than any other states.
Mr. Beck is sure to pick up a few keys is such an environment.
darkrage000
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 10:02pmWhat?! He said Obama doesnt have the answers we need for our children’s Future?!
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 10:33pm@marybethelizabeth
You seem pretty good with the stats.
What is the minority make up of Texas compared to the states on the top?
How many of the low scores are from across the border kids that got free citizenship when mom and pop slipped across the river?
How many folks from the higher scoring states, are leaving their state, and heading to texas for work?
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 12:10amTHIS is the FIRST time that old Arnie told the truth… NOTHING worth a grain of salt comes from HIM.. look at how he messed up CHICAGO’S SCHOOLS.. which is why my granddaughter goes to PRIVATE school and my son moved to IN where they actually TEACH the kids..
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 12:37am@RANGERP
I enjoy your posts, and hope you hang around these parts for a spell.
Report Post »Red Meat
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 12:41amWhat say you?
I say get rid of the Department of Education. That’s what I say.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 1:03amThe one single thing that is most important to the future of this country is shutting down the Dept. of Education immediately and putting all of it’s “employee’s” out of work. It will do wonders for the education of our yoots.
It will cost the taxpayers far less to give them unemployment checks as opposed to paychecks. Cha-ching.
And since we have been told that unemployment checks are one of the best forms of stimulus and job creation, it’s a win, win situation for both sides of the aisle. No?
They should be paying me for this.
Report Post »ENCNIOM
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 7:37amYou teabaggers are sooo stupid. Its no wonders you’uns did not gratuate from the eith grade. Every one nos that food stamps, wellfare checks, and unempoymant checks stimulate the economy by those people spending there money to purchase goods in the market. My President needs to do even more to get us out of the dich the dum arse Bush put us intoo. If every one of us could get a wellfare check, unemployment check, and food stamps from the My President, we would all have jobs a long time ago and the economy would be expanding as fast as my Uranus.
Pass the Chessy Poofs, Oprah is on……
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 7:46am@Therightsofbilly
Exctly – things are not going to get better, until we can stop the liberal indoctrination of our youth (thus the reason my girls go to christian school). They get lib indoctrination at the school, and from the MSM, from their entertainment…..
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:44am@ENCNIOM
Report Post »You my friend have talent. Now pass me the cheesy puffs, Jerry is up next.
shazam3
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 2:35pmThis guys an idiot…….just like the rest of the criminals/bomb throwers/progressives in the GOV
Report Post »Amazingoly
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:06pmDepartment of Education needs to be de-funded, along with him and staff. Not needed. The states have enough people to manage education – don’t need the government in this. He needs to go.
Report Post »Attention2Detail
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:06pmThe problem is that they keep trying new ideas. Why don’t they just go back to the tried and true methods that worked for years?
Report Post »GIDEON612
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:43pmYes, I agree.
The first textbooks put out by the government were the primers. These taught children to read through Bible verses.
Report Post »There were morals, values and work ethics back then.
The_Outlaw
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:05pmIt’s comforting to know that the most important qualification for the position of U.S. Secretary of Education wit a 6 figure salary is to be a complete, incompetent, lying, idiot!
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:28pmYes indeed.
And your observation applies equally to just about every single member of this administration.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:05pm“I’ve talked to almost every governor,” said Duncan about the waivers. “I think I’ve talked to 47, 48 governors.
And he has visited 57 States!!
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:44pmDUNCANS record in Illinois as education czar was pretty bleak AND he has the cajones to blast Rick PERRY on TEXAS education?????
Perry is Governor NOT Ed Czar
Duncan proves once again that bumbling idiots are in Obummers camp……
Report Post »rienheart
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:01pmGet rid of all the Alphabet agency’s including the TSARS. Welfare has got to go too with all the other agency’s affiliated to it.
Report Post »rox
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 10:55pmI think the “Welfare to Work” program was successful.
Report Post »quiltgal
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:54pmSo Arne, if the best ideas are not coming from you or Washington, why are we spending $92.858+ billion on the Dept. of Education budget?
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:57pmOr anybody working for this clown ! if this guy has a job monday it’s a scandle !
Report Post »cosette
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:09pmNoe if only the rest of the morons in this poor excuse for an administration would admit they’re, well morons, maybe there would actually be some…. um… hope and er.. er…. change.
Report Post »jjoy
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:53pmFire this clown and abolish the Department of “education”… The states did a much better job of educating out children…
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:32pmThe Obama Admin. loaded with Winners !!!!
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:48pmthen GET THE HELL OUT OF OFFICE damn SOCIALIST president HERES prim example of one of his “FRIENDS IN OFFICE” jerk off here admists HES CLUELESS how to educate. WE need real leaderds real educators real PEOPLE who arent SOCIALISTS but speak thier mind n SAY what they mean be elected to office or BE appointed for thier SKILLS not because they support4ed OBAMMY UGH LOSER
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:48pmHe attended schools where the head cheer leading song was:
Report Post »Give me a D
Give me a U.
Give me a H.
And what do you get? DUH!!!!
psst
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 9:53pmThat was heavy Heavy.
Report Post »Made me laugh my karse off.
Thanks, I needed a good laugh.
GaryInTheMiddle
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:47pmNothing good comes for the NEA. It should be elimiated and turned over to the States were it belongs.
Report Post »jcarp6501
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:13pmGary, While I agree that nothing good comes from the NEA. That is the Teachers’ Union. It is the DOE (Department of Education) that has had its budget balloon in the past 10 years.
Both are worse than worthless. When the DOE was created our school systems were much more highly rated across the world. Then we got the federal government involved, let the unions dictate agendas and our school systems are the laughing stock of the world’s developed nations.
Get rid of the Dept. of Ed. Stop listening to the NEA. Let communities decide what is important for education in their communities. Then we might just about have it right.
Report Post »Donald
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:46pmObama Bin Lyin plays a president…
Report Post »This guys plays a educational sec’t
Both have misguided views….altho I wish nobama would speak every week…good for my portfolio.
progressiveslayer
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:44pmEnd the department of education it’s a money pit and has made education worse.
Report Post »heyjim55
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:43pmThis is another example on how much trouble the country is in , I guess Obama’s philosphy is to not only destroy the country economically but also educationally. When he is finished he will have a entire generation of stupid people totally dependant of Government maybe more.
Report Post »ripley
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:43pmNot only does Arne Duncan need to go…..the entire Dept. of Education needs to be dissolved. Let the states take charge of their own educational systems without interference from Uncle Sam.
Report Post »tbarr4
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:43pmDuncan works for Soros and and is a mouthpiece for Wasserman!
Report Post »Shane the Golden
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:40pm‘…but education has always been and should be at the local level.” Then why have the DoE? Disband this socialist propaganda arm. They have done enough damage already.
Just Saying
Report Post »Steel Awesome
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:37pmCome on, Mr. Duncan. You’re too modest.
Report Post »ICEDRAGONNITE
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:37pmThe NEA has to go away, with teachers unions, and fed busybodies, this all needs to get back to total local control.
Report Post »SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:33pmThat sums up this administration perfectly.
Report Post »kreese
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:32pmMany teachers have known that for years—more so after Carter created the Department of Education.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:32pmSo he slams Texas educational system, then shortly afterward admits he has no clue save that no good ideas will ever come from him or from government? Okay, you cannot have it both ways, this man once again demonstrates what is majorly wrong with Washington DC; at the least he admits to being clueless on what to do, and thus there may be hope — disband the DoE, and soon.
Report Post »Shane the Golden
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:37pmDisband both DoEs, Dept. of Education and Dept of Energy. We could save SOME money there.
Just Saying
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 10:44pm@Shane the Golden: Good point.
Report Post »matinva
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:31pmThe best ideas in ANYTHING do NOT come from government. DUH!
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:30pmAnd he’s leading this boondoggle of a Cabinet level government department.
Can we axe the Department of Education from the federal budget yet?
Report Post »Poogie
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:37pmIf we ever get anyone elected who has the guts to do so! ;)
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:41pmThe sooner the better.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 8:04pm@POOGIE
Report Post »RON PAUL has the Guts to do it !!!!!
Fantastic Four
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 1:51amthat sissy cuckold “waffle house” had his pair removed who knows how long ago? He needs to slow down on the estrogen pills, maybe then he can keep from crying all the darn time
Report Post »momsense
Posted on August 25, 2011 at 7:30pmGee ! Imagine that!
Report Post »