Photo by: Adam Hammerman
Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, spoke to the DU chapter of Organizing for America (OFA) yesterday night at Driscoll North‘s Commerce room. He discussed student loans and education reform proposed and implemented by President Barack Obama.
Duncan, known for his $4 billion “Race to the Top” and its goals of promoting American school improvement through competition, spoke about his responsibilities as the Secretary of Education as well as his goals for the 2012 Obama reelection campaign.
“Other countries care more about education than we do, and with this congress that’s not going to change,” said Duncan.
Seventeen student volunteers attended the event meant to support Obama’s 2012 campaign. Duncan argued that this election, more than any other election before, is about students and their ability to organize.
“You have to go out; you have to show that you have a voice,” said Duncan.
After giving a short speech about his position and the campaign promises Obama has given, he looked to the audience for a question and answer session.
Students asked about schools’ funding, changes to school evaluation methods and student loan debt among other things.
“We have some schools that I would compare to any school in China or South Korea,” said Duncan. “And we have some that are some of the worst schools [in the world.]”
He addressed the need to look at programs in schools that are considered the most effective and to adjust other schools in the country to fit those exemplary models.
He also discussed funding for school programs and the need to expand on and to keep those which are effective within schools.
“If a company cuts 5% from each program, that tells me they don’t know what they are doing,” he said. “You need to look at programs that are effective and important and keep them, even if it means cutting other programs.”
Duncan was accompanied by three members of the secret service who stood by as he spoke to the students. He left directly after the session to catch a flight back to Washington.
