Arne Duncan

Read our coverage of the ninth U.S. Secretary of Education, who served from 2009 to 2016

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Arne Duncan, Ninth U.S. Education Secretary: Biography and Achievements
Background and highlights of Arne Duncan's tenure as the ninth U.S. Secretary of Education.
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Policy & Politics Opinion What Obama's Secretary of Education Thinks About Schooling Today
Arne Duncan reflects on his legacy and the need for leadership in K-12.
Rick Hess, August 27, 2024
8 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Policy & Politics Opinion I Spoke to Arne Duncan About School Reform. Here Are 5 Takeaways
The future of school reform may look quite different from the past of school reform.
Rick Hess, October 11, 2023
6 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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Assessment Opinion Let's Get Back to School, But Differently
To combat the pandemic's impact, districts need smaller classes for the youngest kids, writes former U.S. Ed. Secretary Arne Duncan.
Arne Duncan, November 16, 2020
4 min read
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks at the Department of Education building on July 8, 2020, in Washington.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Federal DeVos Hopeful School Choice Funding Will Be Included in COVID-19 Relief Bill
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos pushes for tax credits for private school scholarships and funding for families to pay tuition or buy educational materials.
Evie Blad, September 17, 2020
3 min read
Then-U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speaks during a 2015 town hall meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.
Then-U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speaks during a 2015 town hall meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.
Charlie Neibergall/AP, File
School Climate & Safety Opinion Arne Duncan: Reopening Schools Is a Local Decision, Not the President's
The Trump administration has completely failed to protect Americans and lead during the COVID-19 crisis, writes former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Arne Duncan, July 9, 2020
3 min read
Federal Arne Duncan: It's Not in 'Trump's Best Interest to Have a Well-Educated Citizenry'
President Donald Trump and his administration get a political boost when Americans aren't taught to think critically, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said.
Alyson Klein, September 20, 2018
4 min read
Federal Arne Duncan: 'If I Had to Do it All Over Again, I Would Push Even Harder'
President Barack Obama's longest-serving education secretary, admits in a new book that he made some communications mistakes; but when it comes to his signature policies, he wishes he'd doubled down.
Alyson Klein, August 6, 2018
4 min read
Federal Arne Duncan: Parents Should Boycott Schools Until Gun Laws Are Fixed
Duncan's comments came in the wake of a school shooting Friday in Sante Fe, Texas, which left 10 dead, mostly students.
Alyson Klein, May 20, 2018
1 min read
Federal Arne Duncan: Part of Federal K-12 Role Is Protecting Kids From 'Bad Things'
The former education secretary's comments come amid worries that the incoming Trump administration won't be as aggressive as the Obama administration in standing up for students' civil rights.
Alyson Klein, January 4, 2017
3 min read
Federal Urban Educators Stress Value of Big-City Schools Group
With the Council of the Great City Schools now in its 60th year, urban school leaders say the depth of its staff's expertise, the organization's effectiveness in advocating on their behalf, and the sense of camaraderie they feel being part of the group are unmatched elsewhere.
Denisa R. Superville, August 29, 2016
5 min read
Federal Former Ed. Secretary Arne Duncan Joins Ed-Tech Company Board of Directors
Duncan told Fast Company that he sees Pluralsight, which is reportedly worth more than $1 billion, as a way to further democratize education.
Andrew Ujifusa, June 9, 2016
1 min read
Standards & Accountability Opinion Raising the Common Core Bar Until Nobody Can Get Over
The Common Core is just another set of standards. We can raise and lower, tweak and replace standards until the cows come home, but until other things are in place (clean, safe classrooms, say--or books, supplies and experienced teachers), it's an exercise in blah-blah over reality. Most important: if we're going to dump everything we've been working on, let's put the rebuilding back in the hands of educators, not politicians.
Nancy Flanagan, May 14, 2016
3 min read
Federal Arne Duncan, Priscilla Chan Discuss Next Steps for K-12 Education
Duncan and Chan talked about what they have learned from their past endeavors and where they see K-12 education going from here at the NewSchools Venture Fund conference.
Alyson Klein, May 12, 2016
4 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Obama White House Reflects on K-12 Legacy
The White House has issued a report that outlines what it sees as its greatest hits in K-12, including new energy around early childhood education and STEM teachers.
Alyson Klein, May 3, 2016
3 min read