Gabrielle Garcia / Staff Writer
After being the longest serving Deputy Secretary of Education, on Friday October 2, 2015, Deputy Secretary Arne Duncan announced that he would be stepping down from his position this December.
Following this announcement, during a press conference address President Obama stated, “He’s done more to bring our education system – sometimes kicking and screaming – into the 21st century more than anybody else.” Following the announcement and commentary, the president went on to announce that John B. King, Jr. would be replacing Arne Duncan as The Deputy Secretary of Education.
The U.S. Department of Education works to ensure that there is not only equal access to education but also quality education throughout the Nation. As explained by The U.S. Department of Education, The Deputy Secretary of Education is responsible for the overall supervision, direction and the coordination of all activities of the department and serves as the principal advisor to the president on federal policies, programs and activities related to education in the United States. In addition, the Deputy Secretary of Education is also responsible for the development and implementation of policies, programs and activities relating to elementary and secondary education: such as interventions, special education and rehabilitative services.
After having a Deputy Secretary in office since January of 2009, the nation is not only swooned with change, but also provided with new opportunities to enact new possibilities toward education. John B. King, Jr., who was most recently the Commissioner of New York State Public Schools is to take Arne Duncan’s place this December. During his address to the press, Duncan said “Over the years that I have known him and especially in the months we have worked together here, I’ve come to recognize John as one of the most passionate, courageous, clear-headed leaders in our field.”
King, an experienced school teacher, principal and commissioner could be the source of change and reform that the nation’s educational system needs. Although he leaves behind a position where he has participated in many heated debates in regards to charter schools, testing and teacher evaluations, his thick skinned personality and passion for education could very well be a guiding force in the years to come. Although Duncan is lauded for his years of commitment and hard work and is responsible for enacting policy to improve the quality of education in our nation, it will be interesting to incorporate a new dynamic to the Department of Education.
[Image from Flickr, resized]
Arne Duncan was the Secretary of Education, not the Deputy Secretary.