10.02.15

Scott Statement on Secretary Arne Duncan’s Announcement

 

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that he will be stepping down from his post in December:

“Just this morning, I joined Secretary Duncan at an area elementary school to announce a $237 million federal investment in high quality, early learning for three and four-year-olds in 18 states. This work is at the heart of why Arne has made an outstanding public servant and Education Secretary – his focus on evidence-based solutions to our country’s most pressing education challenges.

“As secretary, Arne has prioritized K-12 education, pushed for a renewed ESEA that is worthy of the President’s signature, found new ways to make college more affordable and campuses safer, advocated for more fair and balanced school discipline policies, and has focused on ways to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. I’ve been happy to count him as a partner in this work, as I introduced the Youth P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Act and the Youth Justice Act earlier this year. Arne has been an outspoken advocate for closing the achievement gaps that persist in too many of our schools, and a stalwart champion for the students and families the system often leaves behind. I deeply appreciate his service and friendship, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

 

“The effective leadership that has been the hallmark of Arne’s tenure as Secretary is not leaving the Department. I look forward to continued partnership in the fight to opening doors for all of America’s children with Deputy Secretary John King as he assumes this new role.  Dr. King has spent his career dedicated to expanding educational opportunity for historically underserved students. As a former teacher, a school leader and a leader of school systems, Dr. King knows firsthand the direct impact the programs and policies of the Department have on families.”

 

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