Lamar Alexander

Read our coverage of the fifth U.S. Secretary of Education, who served from 1999 to 1993

Explainer

U.S. President George H. Bush glances toward his choices for two Cabinet positions during a White House press briefing, Monday, Dec. 18, 1990 in Washington. At left is former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, the President's pick for education secretary.
Lamar Alexander, Fifth U.S. Education Secretary: Biography and Achievements
Background and highlights of Lamar Alexander's tenure as the fifth U.S. Secretary of Education.
View Explainer
Federal My Enemy's Enemy: Sen. Alexander's NEA Award Caps Recent Political Alliance
The National Education Association and Sen. Lamar Alexander have developed a good working relationship, resulting in several legislative wins, including the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Stephen Sawchuk, July 7, 2016
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2 min read
Teaching Profession The NEA's Best Frenemy: Lamar Alexander
Lamar Alexander, one of the winners of the NEA's Friend of Education award, is the first Republican to garner the prize in more than 30 years.
Stephen Sawchuk, July 7, 2016
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2 min read
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., listens to testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 21, 2015.
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., listens to testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 21, 2015.
Susan Walsh/AP
Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA Architect Q&A: Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
The chairman of the Senate education committee spoke about his role in getting the Every Student Succeeds Act over the congressional finish line.
Alyson Klein, June 13, 2016
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11 min read
Federal Sound Familiar? Lamar Alexander's K-12 Positions When He Ran for President
What did Alexander say about education back in 1996 and 2000, and how does what he said on the campaign trail compare to today?
Andrew Ujifusa, March 10, 2016
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4 min read
Education Under ESSA, Governors Should Guard States' Rights, Sen. Lamar Alexander Says
The head of the senate education committee told governors at their annual convention Sunday that the reauthorized education act gives them wide latitude in shaping education policy.
Daarel Burnette II, February 21, 2016
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3 min read
States Sen. Lamar Alexander Tells Governors to Hold Their Ground on ESSA
At the National Governors Association meeting Sunday, the head of the Senate education committee told governors that ESSA gives them wide latitude to shape their own education policies.
Daarel Burnette II, February 21, 2016
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3 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Alexander: If Obama Nominates an Ed. Sec., We Would Move Swiftly to Confirm
Sen. Lamar Alexander, head of the Senate education committee, pledged to move fast if President Barack Obama nominates an education secretary, rather than continuing to have an acting secretary.
Alyson Klein, January 12, 2016
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1 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Alexander: Federal Role on K-12 Will Be 'Very Different' Under ESSA
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. says at least three major oversight hearings already are being planned on the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Alyson Klein, December 17, 2015
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4 min read
Federal Slim Chances for Early Ed. in NCLB Rewrite, Says Sen. Lamar Alexander
Sen. Lamar Alexander said the federal government already spends about $22 billion annually on various early-education programs, but the money is fragmented and often ineffective.
Lauren Camera, March 24, 2015
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3 min read
School Choice & Charters Four Things Sen. Alexander Says the Feds Can Do to Expand School Choice
Speaking at an event in Washington for the release of the Brookings Institution's 2014 Education Choice and Competition Index, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said to "put the money in the kid's backpack."
Arianna Prothero, February 4, 2015
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1 min read
Federal U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander Dominates in Tennessee's Primary
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., handily beat out tea party challenger, state Rep. Joe Carr, in Thursday's primary.
Lauren Camera, August 7, 2014
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2 min read
School Choice & Charters New Federal School Choice Bills Unveiled by Two U.S. Senators
U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Tim Scott unveiled bills that would redirect federal education funds to follow students to the schools of their choice today.
Katie Ash, January 28, 2014
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1 min read
Federal How Teaming on School Choice Helps Rand Paul and Lamar Alexander
It's clear the Kentucky and Tennessee Republicans have become buddies on school choice, a K-12 issue that unites most in the GOP.
Alyson Klein, July 30, 2013
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3 min read
Federal Spellings, Alexander Debate Future of No Child Left Behind Act
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings were both big NCLB fans back in 2001, but times have changed.
Alyson Klein, July 26, 2012
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3 min read
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