Richard W. Riley
Read our coverage of the sixth U.S. Secretary of Education, who served from 1993 to 2001
Richard W. Riley, Sixth U.S. Education Secretary: Biography and Achievements
Background and highlights of Richard W. Riley's tenure as the sixth U.S. Secretary of Education.
Standards & Accountability
Hello McFly, One More Time: South Carolina's 1998 Standards Push
Back in 1998, South Carolina decided to give its new standards some bite by holding students and schools more accountable through standardized tests.
Education Funding
Opinion
Civic Investment and the 'Skyboxing' of Education
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley writes about the importance of civic investment in schools, particularly in these days of slashed education budgets.
States
Richard Riley on Federal and State Roles in Education
Former Secretary of Education Richard Riley says that recent federal efforts to provide support to states, and support common tests, are good policy.
Federal
Opinion
Before the 'Either-Or' Era
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and his longtime adviser Terry K. Peterson share in the following essay their reflections on those experiences, as seen through the prism of A Nation at Risk, the influential 1983 critique of American education.
Federal
Riley Adds His Voice to NCLB Debate
Yesterday's Washington Post included a special advertising section on education issues sponsored by the National Education Association. (Memo to Mike Antonucci: Can you find out how much that cost?)
Law & Courts
Federal File
Ex-Secretary Riley Gets a New Position: Capital Rainmaker
Former Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley has always acted more like a soft-spoken Southern lawyer than a busy Cabinet officer in the limelight of the nation’s capital.
Education
People in the News
Richard W. Riley and Ted Sanders
Richard W. Riley and Ted Sanders are the new co-chairs of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future.
Education
Former Ed. Secretary Riley Says Law Needs Change of Emphasis
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley says the federal No Child Left Behind Act merits some tinkering to shift its emphasis from "compliance" back to teaching and learning.
Federal
Opinion
Investment Without Invective
Former U. S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley offers his opinions on the new administration's education initiatives, Congressional action on those initiatives, and the present position of the federal education department.
Federal
Riley Grilled on Travel, Department Fraud Allegations
In a recent congressional hearing, Republicans grilled Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley on financial-management practices at the Department of Education and the secretary's travel schedule.
Education
School's Out For Riley
Whoever is tapped to be the next secretary of education will have a tough act to follow. Richard Riley, the former South Carolina governor who's held the position since 1993, is respected by both politicos and regular folks for his integrity and down-home style. In September, Riley met with contributing writer Joetta L. Sack to discuss his legacy—and to make one last pitch to teachers to get involved in policy reform. Secretary hopefuls, listen and learn.
Education
Republicans Question Purpose Of Riley Trips
Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley has always been popular on the speakers' circuit, but his busy travel schedule has recently come under increased scrutiny by Republicans in Congress.
School Climate & Safety
Riley Releases New Class-Size Report
In its first year, President Clinton's highly touted federal class-size-reduction program helped nearly two-thirds of the nation's elementary schools hire an estimated 29,000 new teachers, according to a report released last week by Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley.
School & District Management
Riley Announces National Commission On High School
Future high school seniors planning to contract a case of senioritis may be in for a disappointment if Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley has his way.