Arne Duncan, Al Sharpton, and Newt Gingrich Join Forces
In an effort to push cities to fix failing schools and highlight the Obama administration's programs to reform public education, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and civil rights leader Al Sharpton will join Education Secretary Arne Duncan on a tour of cities later this year.
The trio will visit Philadelphia on September 29, New Orleans on November 3, and Baltimore on November 13. More stops, including a rural site, will be added as the tour progresses. In a conference call with reporters yesterday, Duncan said the cities were chosen both for logistical reasons and for what they can show about school reform.
"These are cities that have real challenges but also tremendous hope and opportunity," he said.
Interviewed on NBC's Today show Friday, Gingrich and Sharpton were asked how they had agreed to work together on education in light of the many differences they've had on other issues.
"I think he has it exactly right, that education has to be the No. 1 civil rights issue of the 21st century, and I've been passionate about reforming education," Gingrich said. "And we can't get it done as a partisan issue."
Said Sharpton, "If there's anything Americans should be mature enough about to have a decent conversation, it's the education of their children."
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Tags: education | Newt Gingrich | Arne Duncan | education reform
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Reader Comments
Education/Bullies
I have already raised 2 boys, and my wife and I are now raising 2 girls that we adopted. I have found time and time again that there are children that just want to control other children. is it because they have a troubled home life? Is it because they are demented? I DO NOT CARE! If my children can not go to an institution that mine and your tax dollars built, and be in a safe environment, then there is a big problem. Now there are those out their that might think the children I raise are weak or wimps. I raise my children to respect others, country and God. They are taught to defend all of the above. If children come to school with no respect for others, then they should be sent home until they do. Since the problem started at home, then the parents should be held criminally responsible.
Duncun, Gingrich and Sharpton
Not quite the same as Abraham, Martin and John but more like Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves!! OMG- want to improve the public shools? Get the fed the hell out! Leave education to the separate school districts and tell parents that they are reponsible. It's about time to hold the students responsible and blame them for failure. While the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Indonesians, Indians, etc. are learning math, reading and writing we are worried about a land based mammal on an ice flow and ignore scientific data in favor of political agendas. My bet is with the latter, not us for success and dynamic economies as we move into the heart of the 21st century. The radical communists/socialist/fascist/nazi's have taken over the country dressed in green. Wake up American fools.
Education/healthcare
Education should not be separated from health care, They should be the same subject believe me I know.
My doctors (or drug pushers) drugged me up so my teachers could not reach me.
A healthy student is a curios student and a curios student can learn better than someone who's been doped up or hungry.
Health does not or should not come from a bottle So I guess many doctors are going to have to go back to school and this time be made to study and not cheat there way through medical school.
physical education should be required and fit the needs of the student by breaking them up in groups that they are compatible with. an enactive student gets bored easy and cannot retain what he/she learned very well.
a worn out student is just to tired to learn
You cannot stop it if it has already happened
this site (http://www.cottagegrove.org/) is an example of what every town, city and state should have
Don D. Brock
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