July 2011

Working Toward "Wow": A Vision for a New Teaching Profession

Thanks for having me. It's a real honor to be addressing an organization that has done so much to strengthen America's most important profession.

I don't look at newspaper cartoons much, but someone showed me one the other day that got me thinking. It showed a sports fantasy camp with a bunch of athletes standing around waiting to get an autograph from a short, balding guy.

Duncan Testifies Before Senate Committee on ED Budget

Good morning Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Shelby. Thanks very much for having me here today to talk about education, the economy and the need to continue investing in our future—even as Congress and the administration work together to reduce overall spending and manage our deficit.

Iowa's Wake-Up Call

I’m excited to be here this morning--and to participate in the Iowa Education Summit with Governor Branstad and so many distinguished educators, school leaders, district administrators, lawmakers, and parents all committed to giving Iowa’s children a world-class education.

The Unfinished Work of Education Reform

It is a real pleasure to be able to join you today. And it also pleased me to see that this year's convention was being held here in Houston. Now, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but it's not because I'm in love with Houston's hot and humid summers. I've got plenty of that in DC. But it's because Houston has something in common with what's going on in Washington DC.

Partnering for Education Reform

Good evening! It's an absolute pleasure to be here.

Meeting President Obama's 2020 College Completion Goal

Under Secretary Martha Kanter and several senior ED officials discussed college completion and President Obama's 2020 Goal in the main auditorium at the Department of Education on July 21, 2011. Audience members included Department employees as well as a diverse group of external stakeholders. Topics included: