Who Should Be the Nation's Next Education Chief?

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Dr. Ruth J. Simmons and Derek Bardell both have the vision and ability to completely overhaul and turn America's faltering educational system around. They have impeccable credentials, in-depth knowledge and unsurpassed courage, a winning recipe for this country's educational woes. They represent what America can evolve into over time. Perhaps, the Obama administration should draft them both as a team and hold them accountable to achieve the desired results.

Seasoned Educator of LA 5:06PM December 22, 2011

With education in a state of disrepair, we need Derek Bardell, now! He brings a host of bold new ideas and intellectual prowess that is unmatched. Furthermore, I make this statement three years after this commentary began because we as a country have made very little progress.

Ann of LA 4:22PM December 22, 2011

It is rather interesting for me to read the blog. Thank author for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I definitely want to read more soon. By the way, pretty good design you have here, but what do you think about changing it once in a few months?
Jane Meetington

mature escort agencies of AL 9:36PM July 06, 2010

As I reflect on the state of education in America, I have not noticed any substantive change during the debut year of the new administration. I would love to see more federal assistance given to urban school districts as well as more funding for vocational education programs, higher education and adult education. Maybe, Linda Darling Hammond, Ruth Simmons or Derek Bardell would have been more effective at bringing about such change and transforming the educational landscape of the United States.

V. Wattree of LA 2:17PM December 06, 2009

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION?
MY THOUGHTS IS THAT EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS IN LIVES. EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD RECEIVE A GOOD EDUCATION AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN WITH A GOOD EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. An EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT NO TWO INDIVIDUAL LEARN, GROW OR DEVELOP THE SAME. A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS CHILDREN TO LEARN THROUGH HANDS ON EXPERIENCES, AND THAT PROVIDES CHILDREN/STUDENTS WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADJUST TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND SETTLE WITHIN NEW AND DIFFERENT CLASSROOMS.
AMERICA NEEDS AND OFFERS AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS WHICH HIGHLY EDUCATED TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS ARE WILLING TO WORK IN SCHOOLS EVEN THOUGH THE PAY IS INSUFFICIENT BUT THE NEED TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP OUT WEIGHS THE INCOME. TEACHERS TODAY ARE TEACHING BECAUSE THEY LOVE THEIR JOBS AND THEY FEEL THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN JUST ONE CHILD'S LIFE. AS A TEACHER I FEEL FORTUNATE AND HAPPY TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICALLY AND I KNOW MANY OTHER TEACHERS FEEL THE SAME WAY. WE LOVE TO TEACH. WORKING WITH CHILDREN IS A JOB THAT HAS ITS REWARDS THAT FAR EXCEED THE INCOME.
THE NEXT EDUCATIONAL CHIEF SHOULD BE SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO SUPPORT TEACHERS AND UNDERSTAND HOW TOUGH THEIR JOBS ARE WITHOUT ADDING TO THE UNNECESSARY TEACHING REQUIREMENTS. SOMEONE WHO WILL SUPPORT THE NEED TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO ALL CHILDREN AND WILLING TO ACCOMMODATION CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT WHATEVER STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT THEY ARE WITHIN. SOMEONE WHO WILL FIGHT FOR ADDITION FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE GROWING NEED TO TEACH CHILDREN THAT COME TO THIS COUNTRY FOR OTHER UNDERDEVELOPED EDUCATION SYSTEMS. SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THE ARTS MAGNET SCHOOLS AND IS EAGER TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR VARIES EDUCATIONAL LEVELS AND SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL BE THE NEXT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION BUT I DO HOPE IT IS SOMEONE WHO MEETS ALL THE PROPER NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENTS IN AMERICA.

DONNA WORTHY of MA 10:18PM December 14, 2008

As the new Chairman of the Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness Subcommittee, Hinojosa works to ensure that the education pipeline is strong enough and wide enough to ensure that no community is left behind in the knowledge-driven economy of the 21st Century. I believe that a person that understands the issues will best be in a position to affect change and ensure the needed revisions to "No Child Left Behind" legislation should be at the helm.
The new secretary of Education needs to have a realitic understanding of the issues and be able to deal with them in the same manner.

Noemi of Virginia of VA 7:33PM December 05, 2008

Thank you, Robin Johnson of MO. As a teacher, I couldn't have said it better myself. My husband thought I was reading something I had written. I agree with you totally!

Kelly A. of OH 12:05AM December 04, 2008

I would like to see someone who is already leading our school improvement initiative in this country and the world. Dr. Heidi Hayes-Jacobs is a great choice. She has worked to improve schools all over the world and is making a difference as we speak.

Robert Wren of NY 2:19PM December 03, 2008

I would strongly support the appointment of former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt as Secretary of Education. As Governor of North Carolina, Governor Hunt proved that he understood the need for education reform, and he understood the circumstances that public school teachers had to work under. He established the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching and supported the Principal's Executive Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that provided a rigorous training experience for public school administrators.
I had the pleasure of serving on two council's under Governor Hunt's leadership, and public school education could certainly benefit from his experience and understanding of the issues at hand at this crucial time in our history.

Rita L. Brown of FL 9:15AM December 03, 2008

NCLB should and feel, will be overhauled in the very near future for it serves again, selected educational corporations that feed off the breast of NCLB program and at the expense of children it supposively, supports. I liken NCLB to corporations like blackwater in Iraq ,who support only themselves who are paid by our working tax dollars for what our proud soldiers could do better!

Anthony A Garce of CA 8:48PM December 01, 2008