Speeches

Improving Human Capital in a Competitive World -— Education Reform in the U.S.

When the World Bank was founded in 1944, much of Europe, Russia, and Japan lay in ruin.

Today, the world is no longer recovering from a tragic global war. Yet the international community faces a crisis of a different sort, the global economic crunch. And education--then and now--is the beacon lighting the path forward, perhaps more so today than ever before.

Secretary Arne Duncan Testified Before the Senate Budget Committee on ED's FY 2012 Budget

Chairman Conrad, Ranking Member Sessions, and Members of the Committee:

The Gift That Can’t Be Taken Away

(Note: Speaker deviated from prepared remarks.)

Thank you! And thanks to Roybal for hosting us here today. As some of you may know, one of your own, teacher Linda Yaron is here with me today.

Advancing Student Achievement Through Labor-Management Collaboration

Good afternoon. Let me begin by saluting all of you for your commitment in coming here today. I know expectations are high.

And I know it takes courage and conviction to publicly commit to working together with groups that are sometimes portrayed as adversaries, rather than as allies.

Investing in Reform and Results: Secretary Duncan's Remarks at the Ed Stakeholders Meeting

I just returned from Baltimore with President Obama. It is fitting that he released his 2012 budget at a school because he is absolutely committed to education. This is a responsible budget that invests in education reforms that will deliver results.

The New CTE: Secretary Duncan's Remarks on Career and Technical Education

Thank you for shining the spotlight on the critical field of career and technical education.

The Pathways to Prosperity study envisions a new system of career and technical education that constitutes a radical departure from the vocational education of the past.

Education in Indian Country: Prepared Remarks of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at Town Hall/Listening Session with Tribal Officials

(Speaker deviated from prepared remarks)

I'd like to extend a special welcome to the many tribal officials here today who have made the long trip to Washington- – it's an honor to have you here as we get ready for tomorrow's White House Tribal Nations Conference.

Education and the Language Gap: Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at the Foreign Language Summit

It is an honor to be here at the University of Maryland which has worked closely with the Department of Education for more than 20 years to advance the teaching of languages such as Hebrew, Farsi, Chinese, and Russian.

Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at OECD's Release of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009 Results

Since the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) first implemented PISA in 2000, it has mushroomed to 60 countries and five non-national entities, such as Shanghai.

Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at the Release of America’s Promise Alliance Report, “Building A Grad Nation”

Speaker deviated at points from prepared remarks:

The new “Building a Grad Nation” report ought to be required reading for those who believe that the high school dropout problem is too intractable to successfully take on.