What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

ok4u — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:40:22 GMT

Just a thought. Is there any Constitutional authority for the federal government to be involved in the education business in the first place? Aside from that minor detail. it seems to me that a very great assumption is in play here. And that is that the government is qualified for such a task. Doesn't it have enough to do, bailing out incompetent banks, wasting money it doesn't even have, buying votes with promises, while looking like it is helping? What on earth does Washington have that any true educator would want? Please don't say funds. IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

hthr.greene — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:00:20 GMT

Education Department was created in 1979 when the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (itself created in 1953) was divided up. There is a point to made that most public school policy happens at the state and local level. Ronald Reagan and most republicans since have campaigned on a promise to dismantle the Education Department and yet not only does it still exist, but George W. Bush's administration increased its budget 69.6% between 2002 and 2004.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

deliabliss — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:16:28 GMT

Educational reform is essential. The effects of the status quo are clear. With little other than structure to commend it, we must let go of the old and allow new thinkers and new energy to drive needed change in the halls of k-12 education

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Dollar Wise — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:15:51 GMT

Who ever he picks, there should be no association with Former Govenor Jim Hunt of North Carolina. Hunt is all talk/politics and no action. This is true of his cronies as well.

When Hunt was in charge in North Carolina he talked up education all the time. The fact of the matter was that North Carolina Public Education System remained ranked 49 out of the 50 states during his entire tenure.

Jim Hunt left behind an idiot factory.

What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:58:58 GMT

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re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

hopewhistle — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:49:25 GMT

Although the teacher unions may support Linda Darling-Hammond, it should also be noted that she has a long history of success in reforming schools and districts. I'm afraid that the blog positions her as a keeper of the status quo, which she is anything but. In my opinion, she brings the best of both worlds- a reform agenda and the support of the unions. It is important to remember that true reform happens within the four walls of the classroom, not simply through legislation and policy.

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Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:14:00 GMT

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Powering Up : What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:29:04 GMT

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?? Newsweek: Who will be Obama’s education secretary?

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:24:55 GMT

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re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Joyce Saly — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:20:06 GMT

Joel Klein has produced no significant gains in student achievement and his dishonesty is not only confined to spinning test results. Please review the evidence from the National Center for Educational Statistics, The Nation’s Report Card. Go to http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/dst2007/2008455.pdf

The evidence is clear. There has been “no significant change in scores” during the entire Bloomberg/Klein tenure. To put it simply, Klein is a master at using data incorrectly to show gains. Also, based on an analysis of both the New York State data and the data on national tests (NAEP), the achievement gap separating black and Hispanic students from their white and Asian peers is either unchanged or widening on both tests over the Bloomberg/Klein administration.

With almost 40 years of service to the NYC school system (teacher, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Principal and Principal), I can truly say that Klein has been the most ineffective chancellor in my memory.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Joyce Saly — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:21:51 GMT

Joyce Saly

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

an obama girl — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:10:18 GMT

powell please!

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

mlbuie — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:12:48 GMT

President Bush ... do something that will make many of us look favorably on you as you exit office:

Pardon Ronald Isley; let him out of prison!

People get less time for violent offenses. He messed up and didn't pay his taxes. Let him out with time served.

Thanks,

Michael Buie

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

curryjm — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:59:30 GMT

Hey, how about George W. Bush for Obama's Secretary of Education? Afterall, W was the "education president" who helped give us "No Child Left Behind".

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

MomOfTwoShelties — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:08:05 GMT

George w. Bush as Secretary of Education? Great - someone who's functionally illiterate in charge of education. It's pronounced NUCLEAR - not NUCULAR.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

bobhues — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:08:41 GMT

For Education Secretary how about Peter Groff, the President of the Colorado State Senate? He has been at the forefront of education reform and improvement in Colorado.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

LATeacher — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:30:41 GMT

How about putting someone who has been int he classroom recently in charge of ed policy. Most of the people listed have little or no relevant classroom experience. I consider relevant to be within the last five years. During this time the academic level expected of students has drastically been reduced so that all students can meet some form of standard set by bureaucrats. We need to realize that equal access to education does not mean that all students must have college prep coursework. The continued push to send everyone to college is a reaction to the racial and economic discrimination of the past, but it has gotten to the point of idiocy. We need drastic change that realizes that college is not for everyone.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

windblown — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:38:13 GMT

Who cares? Barack's kids will be going to an exclusive private school so I suspect he really doesn't care much.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Pattyace18 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:14:31 GMT

What about Fred Carrigg? He's an urban reformer from NJ. Clinton-Gore touted his education\technology marriage in urban districts and he went on to be Director of Urban Literacy in NJ.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

bear8675 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:50:23 GMT

What about Wellington Webb, the former Mayor of Denver? He went so far as to create a position of Education Czar. He has done a vast amount of good work on the Denver Public School system, and especially in before and after school programs. The ones that keep kids safe, fed, warm, and reading during the crucial 3-6 time. Not to digress, but it occurs to me that soalr panels on the schools would save the system tons of $, and allow for year-round schooling, which keeps kids from back sliding all summer in academic skills and behavior.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

charles flynn — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:10:39 GMT

I'm a very strong Obama supporter and an educator.. As his administration reviews programs for efficacy, how about also reviewing the extent to which the federal government should be involved in education policy. Please abolish the DOE. Please reverse the federalization of education k-16.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

771979 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:28:06 GMT

Besides his youthful charm,President elect Barack Obama impressed the American electorate with his intellectual minerva: he was born with it.

I believe that his team will be always be standing on their toes when in his presence. I should hope that American educational standards will improve in his presidency.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

kkhan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:43:35 GMT

I CANNOT TOLERATE THIS LUNATIC, INSANE , FANATICAL & HYSTERICAL SUPPORT FOR THIS ROOKIE SENATOR ( OBAMA ) AS PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.A. IT DISGUST ME WITH EXTREME ANGER & PITY FOR ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AT THIS POINT & TIME OF OBAMA'S POLITICAL PURSUITS & AMBITIONS. I DEEM THIS A FATAL ERROR IN JUDGMENT & PREDICT DEEP REGRETS AROUND THE WORLD - SO HELP ME GOD.

Kabil Azad Khan.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

nmach — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:16:28 GMT

Kabil Azad Khan:

God has already helped you...and us. President Obama's election was 'allowed to happen' by 8 million votes, perhaps to the dismay of those who prefer the status quo. God bless democracy and global education.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:45:43 GMT

Kkhan, this "Rookie" Senator is PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES! He WON the election by 365 electoral votes to 173 with 53% of the popular vote. We have this unique institution in this country called DEMOCRACTIC ELECTIONS. I realize that you are probably used to people assuming power by blowing things up, but in OUR country we ELECT OUR leaders!!! The will of the majority rules. We won. You lost. Get over it. Also, Windblown, the fact that PRESIDENT-ELECT Obama is sending his kids to private school is a total non-sequiter to his choosing of an education secretary. He was elected President of the UNITED STATES not President of his family. I suppose Bush didn't care about his education secretary since his kids weren't in public school at the time he was in office. What a bunch of SORE LOSERS!!! OBAMA IS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!! THANK GOD AND THANK THE 53% OF AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT PUT HIM THERE!!!!!! I have never been more proud to be an American as I was on election night, and I will be even more proud at noon eastern on January 20, 2009!!!

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

kkhan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:40:23 GMT

RT9000 & nmach - Please know that your response to my comment was taken in good faith. It is crucial for you to understand that I have no personal aversion to Obama, He has great oratory skills indeed & I never looked at him as a black man ( not that it means anything or importamt in anyway ). Actually he reminds me of a coconut - brown outside & white inside, this too is not important. He was privileged to run under the constitution, he did & he won - point taken - 365 electorial votes - 53% popular votes. You know, it is a fact there was a time when the whole world ( 100% ) believed that the EARTH WAS FLAT, but it NEVER a fact that the earth was flat. The above numbers of electorial & popular votes mean nothing to me & has no bearing on what is contained in my comment below - the true meaning of its context cannot be easily understood by ordinary minds, the depths of the philosophy that inspired me to write it in such simple terms, is much more complicated & intricate.

I cannot easily resist the temptation to touch on one particular insertion of your response( RT9000 ) . As stated by you '' I realize that you are probably used to people assuming power by blowing things up.'' You made me laugh. Just reflect my dear friend & maybe you will recall when your nation flew over Iraq at high altitudes with their sophisticated military paraphernalia & took tens of thousands of innocent lives. This was justified as the will of the great american super power to promote DEMOCRACY. Obama, somewhere in his campaign rhetoric, stated to the world that he would send american troops into Pakistan, even with out permission to find terrorist militants. Ian Smith, former P.M. in Rhodesia said, that when you put power into the hands of those who do not understand the meaning of power, they will not only destroy things around them but they will also destroy themselves. I hope that Obama doesn't fall in the category of those who have a tendency to abuse power. I wish him well anyways.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Dr. James — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:04:14 GMT

Education will be Pres. Obamas greatest investment. America needs to look carefully into urban education. The world has changed so much. Our culture is taking a turn into the dark ages at the lower levels.

Job training and and technology have to work hand and hand. Teachers are under payed. We could put more money into art and music. These programs are dying. We need new books and smarter computers. Teacher planing programs and training programs need more money. Everything will get better.

Colin Powell will be a good pick. He has the mindset to do what makes sense. People will respect what so many teachers have endured all these years. It is sad what America has done to teachers. We need a new age of enlightenment.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:08:08 GMT

KKKhan, I realize that to many the concept of DEMOCRACY is foreign and strange and. There are those, like yourself, that seek to impose their wills upon the rest of the world, willing or not. You flat earth analogy was ridiculous and irrelevant(not to mention that it is a myth that most people used to believe that, but that's another debate). Here in the West, we value self determination and individual liberty. By what authority do youu seek to impose your beliefs on everyone else? If we do not elect our leaders DEMOCRATICALLY as we did Barack Obama then how to we select them? Heriditary monarchy? Religious theocracy? Military dictatorship? Our guiding principle is "The government derives its just powers from THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED." We who are governed CHOOSE those who will govern us, and we CHOSE Barack Obama.

In regards to the Pakastan question. After we were bombed by Japan on December 7, 1941 we had a right to attack Japan out of self defense. If Pakastan is not going to control the radical factions within its borders and prevent them from attacking us, then we have a right to defend ourselves and take preemptive strikes. I AM DEFINITELY NOT a fan of GWB, but I do agree with his statement after 9/11 that we will make no distinction between terrorists and those who harbor them. It is A KNOW FACT THAT PAKISTAN HARBORS TERRORISTS in its tribal regions. Just look at what is going on in India as we speak. Pakistani terrorists are attacking and destroying portions of Mumbai, India's most prosperous city. What Barack Obama said was that if there was a credible terrorist threat against the U.S., its interests, or its allies, from within Pakistan, and Pakistan was either unwilling or unable to deal with that threat then we had the right to defend ourselves by going in and eliminating that threat. Tell the Pakistani government to crack down on the Islamic fundamentalists within its borders and this discussion becomes moot.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

kkhan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:15:00 GMT

RT9000: To me democracy is misunderstood or not understood or improperly applied - 53% of the people does not represent 'the people''. The system is wrong. That's an electoral system called ''first past the post''. What about the other 47% of the people? There is another system called proportional representation where there is a colation between the 53% & the 47% forming the government - that's a far better application of democracy, for with this system 100% of the people has governmental representation. So far for your so called democracy.

There is something called territorial integrity, tell your president elect to respect that if he desires to restore world peace & order - the golden rule states that ''violence breeds violence''. I guess the policy of pre-emptive strike is a privilege of the mighty - but that also is a guarantee for the continuity of militant reaction & violence. I by no means admire or support terrorist activities - I wonder what is more terrifying than having drones & stealths flying sliently over your country & in the wee hours of the night devastating bombs descend from the heavens, that kill innocent women & children while asleep.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

690191 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:08:18 GMT

I want to take a minute to reply to kkhan...You simply remind me of the German Jews during WW11, that thought that simply because they were German citizens, no harm could possibly come to them until it was to late. Wake up my man and get your naive head out of the sand. Your high ideals of democracy sounds great but it is not the real world.

There are people out there that wish us (America) complete/total harm, and all of your wishful thinking and mind-set of good will is not going to make these people decent. There is so much more I would like to say to you and others like you, but I know as you do, it would be a complete waste of time. Be thankful that you live in a country that you can promote your naive thoughts due to those who have fought and died for your right to say these stupid things.

Thanks for letting me have my say....

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:09:53 GMT

There is a rule called 50% +1= a majority. You obviously don't understand the system of government of the United States. What about the 47%? They lost. 53 is greater than 47. And as far as forming a coalition government. You obviously don't understand that system either. In a parliamentary system, the only time a coalition government is formed is if no side has 50%. But that's not the issue here. We have a Presidential system of government and whoever wins 270 or more electoral votes wins the White House. Whichever party wins more seats in the House or Senate gains control of that Chamber. What you want is government by the MINORITY. The system of governmnet dictates that the will of the MAJORITY prevails. 53% is a majority. We won. You lost. Get over it! In four years we'll have another election. If the other side can convince 50% + 1 to elect their candidate, then they will win fair and square, and you'll not hear me crying for a reelection or forming a coalition government, or being a sore loser. Whoever wins, gets to govern.

As far as territorial integrity, tell your terrorist that plenty of innocent women and children died when they destroyed the twin towers on 9/11 and that was UNPROVOKED violence. Whatever violence U.S. forces may inflict in Afghanistan or Pakistan was PROVOKED on September 11, 2001, when evil agents of an evil religion decided to fly airplanes into OUR buildings. What about OUR territorial integrity that day? AND if Pakistan would police its territory and root out these Wahabists and shut down the Madrasas, then its territorial integrity would not be in jeopardy, now would it? Islam, specifically Wahabi Islam is the most violent religion on the face of the earth and these people want to kill all who don't march lock step in line with THEIR radical, warped interpretation of reality and submit to some ridiculous,perverted document that advocates oppression of women, infidels, and everyone else who doesn't wear a turban (I'm speaking of the Quran). BTW, I don't have much patients with the fundamentalist elements of ANY religion, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddahism, but right now Islam is the main, if not only, religion blowing up innocent people in the name of their "God." There is also something called "Self-Defense." Any people has the right to defend itself against those who would seek to hurt or destroy it. Right now radical Islam is seeking to destroy the West, (and anyone else who isn't Radical Islam) therefore the West has a right to defend itself. If you don't believe these people are STILL hell-bent on destruction and killing innocent civilians, then explain to me what is going on in India RIGHT NOW at the hands of Pakistani Wahabist!

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

690191 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:14:51 GMT

Thanks for letting me have my say....

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

690191 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:15:31 GMT

Thanks for letting me have my say....

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

kkhan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:32:24 GMT

To 690191: You are welcome by all means, it's your privilege to have your say - no hard feelings.

My head is not in the sand or will it ever be dear friend. I am fully aware of the possibility of being a victim of terrorist attacks. When that time comes, I can & will deal with it accordingly, I was not afraid then & will never be afraid of tomorrow - never.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:47:55 GMT

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

kkhan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:54:00 GMT

To RT9000: You were raised to believe that 50% + 1 represents the will of ''the people'', but in actual fact it does not. I fully understand your system of government & so many others. The real value & purpose of democracy has been distorted because it is so obvious that it is all based on the concept of ''winning'', when it should be on the issue of total representation. It's a global electoral fatality,

The right to defend yourself is within us all - like I said, I do not support acts of unjustified violence of any kind against innocent people nor would I be an advocate of preemtive strike. Look back in the distant corners of history & probably then you will begin to understand the origin of PROVOCATION.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:35:14 GMT

KKKhan There was no PROVOCATION for 9/11. It was an act of terror by cowards following an evil religion. In the United States whoever wins the majority wins the election. THAT IS DEMOCRACY. It is the will of THE MAJORITY that governs. The MINORITY had its chance and lost. You can NOT represents all points off view, because so many of them are contradictory, so you represent the point of view that the MAJORITY aka 50% +1. That is the system of the United States and of all Westen democracies. It is the best system of any in the world or in history. If you don't like this system, then you have another great right of liberal Western democracies: The right to leave. It is illogical and unintelligent to say that the will of EVERY SINGLE PERSON must be represented. The will of the Wahabists and other followers of radical Islam is to kill those who disagree with them and to oppress women. You cannot reconcile that with liberal Western democracies such as the United States, Canada, and Europe, where we believe every individual has the right to an opinion, but the will of the majority prevails. Ask yourself: How many fundamentalist Islamic countries are democracies? How many afford women the right to vote or participate in public life? Then ask how many are absolute monarchies? How many are religious theocracies were only the teachings of the Quran are allowed into the market place of ideas? How many are out and out dictatorships where only the views of the perons in power are allowed in public discourse. Every person in our nation is entitled to his/her own opinion, but the will of 50%+1 is what ultimately governs this nation.

I also maintain that you wouldn't have to worry about territorial integrity of Pakistan, or any other nation, if these nations policed their own territory, but they do not. Territorial integrity does not just mean having other nations respect your territory; it also means that the government IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT GOES ON IN ITS TERRITORY! Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and others turn a blind eye, at best,and offer support and encouragement at worst, to those who would hurt and destroy others' ways of life. Case in point, look at what the Pakistani militant Musllims are doing in India EVEN AS WE SPEAK! Look at 9/11. Look at the bombings in Bali, and London, and Madrid. Look at the U.S.S. Cole. As Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Your right to throw a punch ends at the tip of my nose." If these militant Muslims are going to attack us, we have a right to defend ourselves, BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY. If they want to stay in their own countries and practice their perverted, bizarre, backward idiotic religion and form of government, then more power to them, but when they start affecting those in Mumbai, New York, Washington, Bali, Israel, London, Madrid, etc., then no, we have the right to stop them even if we have to destroy them in the process. You are obviously not very well educated and not terribly intelligent if you say that the view point of every single person should be respresented in any government and that we as nations should let militant religious zealots following an obscene and perverted religion come into our nations and kill our citizens UNPROVOKED in the name of "Territorial Integrity." You ignorance proves itself in your remarks.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

emtyn1 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:51:58 GMT

Billy Cannady of Virginia would be someone good to consider.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

revnana — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:53:56 GMT

I'm not sure why there are diatribes about 9/11 in a section on Education! Did I miss something here?

The choice of Education Secretary could determine the course of education for much longer than Obama's presidency could last. I hope he gives it as much thought as he has his other picks. The future of our country depends on how (or if) someone gets really serious about good reform practices, and that includes funding it adequately!

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

naitiao — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:27:05 GMT

Everyone needs a secretary of ed committed to 21st century learning...

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:27:57 GMT

KKhan doesn't believe Barack Obama is legitimately the President of the United States because (1) only 53% voted for him, thus the 47% who did not vote for him are not represented. He feels the government should represent the views of every single person in the United States, not just the majority who voted for them, and (2) He said that he would take military action within the borders of Pakistan if the Pakistani refused to take action against terrorists with in its borders plotting against the U.S. Therefore, in KKhan's eyes since he is not the legitimate President of the United States why should we be concerned who his pick for Education Secretary is. It's quite a bizzarre argument; I invite you to go back and read his posts. Quite entertaining. Anyway, I felt compelled to point out the absurdity of what he was saying and in the process we were drawn considerably off track.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

kkhan — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:38:29 GMT

RT9000:Do not try to distort what I said. I am no fool, we all know that he won the election & he will occupy the oval office as president. What I was balking about is the political hypocracy that got him there. That's what politics is about anyway.

If it is ok for Obama to take military action within the borders of Pakistan, then I trust that he would also send in his bombers into Mexico to destroy the drug plantations & other facilities that manufacture them. Would he? Why not? It's the best way to prevent drugs from entering the U.S.A. & destroying the nation.

I must concede that the nature of these comments is irrelevant to the posted topic ''What kind of education secretary will O bama pick''. I apologise for this diversion. Happy thanksgiving to you & all.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

naturalcsi — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:17:25 GMT

The one name missing from the article on Education Secretary that is a serious contender is Caroline Kennedy. She has expressed no interest in politics but never discussed a political appointment.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

tired and old — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:40:22 GMT

SINCE: OBAMA WANTS CLINTON SUPPORTERS, I WOULD GUESS MONICA LEWINSKI.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

callingbrian — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:32:07 GMT

To RT9000 and kkhan: Please, get a room!

I find it so amusing, strike that, educational, that the Not-Ready-For-Primetime repuglicans are so offended by a man who soundly won the election. There was no questioning the win. It required no recount. It required no crony-court to assign a victory. It relied, instead, on the democratic process, and, in so doing, validated it for the first time in this century. Our country is about to be led by a man who actually won an election. Yes, I realize this is a concept that will take a while for the republicans to wrap themselves around, considering their disdain of the people who pay their bills.

To all you republicans who are so upset that for the next eight years when you see Mr. Obama's face you will be reminded that, no matter how hard you worked to destroy what makes our country special, in the end, you failed.

But don't feel too bad. As we restore our country to the good place it was before you got your greedy little talons on it, and it once again prospers for the vast majority of us in the middle class, there will surely be something left over for you, too. It'll eventually kinda trickle down to you. I'm sure you understand what I'm saying, don't you?

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

free067 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:42:32 GMT

To callingbrian: I believe you will live to regret these words. Obama is assigning same-old, same-old "Clinton" people into his cabinet and some are from George W. Bush's. Where is the "change" Obama was preaching to us? I don't believe it for one minute and not that it is any of your business, No, I did not vote for McCain; I voted for Chuck Baldwin. You see, as long as you continue to vote for a democrat or a republican, nothing will ever change for the better. Just keep bouncing back and forth and eventually, we will have the Amero, One World Government (wonder who the leader country will be), One World Banking system and whatever else they can come up with.

Don't tell me, you haven't a clue who Chuck Baldwin is do you? Same reaction I got from friends and family members as that is the way main stream media wanted it; no one was running except Obama and McCain.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:56:50 GMT

Where did I ever say I was a Repug or that I didn't support Obama? I was and still am a VERY enthusiastic supporter of Obama. I did volunteer work for his campaign and contributed to it financially. The central point of my repsonces was to defend him from KKahn's attacks regarding Obama's policy on Pakistan. Freeo67 I believe we will regret electing Obama about as much as we regret electing JKF, FDR, or Abraham Lincoln. He is going to restore the greatness the Bush/Cheney/Rove politics of the past 8 years destroyed. As far as Obama appointing Clinton Era people, why is that a problem? The Clinton Administration had budget SURPLUSES, enjoyed prestige in international relations, and had an economy that led to near full employment. Bush nearly doubled our national debt, has made our country a laughing stock in the world community with most of the world leaders resenting us, fought an idiotic and pointless war that cost almost 5000 lives, has overseen a record number of mortgage forclosure, an unemployment rat at 6.1% and rising and brought us to the brink of another Great Depression. Give me the Clinton Administration any day.

As far as Chuck Baldwin goes, I heard the name but no little else about him. He is obviously an irrelevent 3rd party candidate who had nothing meaningful to offer the election. And as far as a One World Government, Amero, One World Banking system, etc. goes, I think it might be time to put the Da Vinci Code and the rest of your nut job conspiracy novels down and begin living in the real world. Seriously. Next you will tell us the Illuminati was behind Obama's election and the Free Mason's will be running his cabinet along with the Priori of Zion in order to resurrect the Knights Templar, who secretly already control the banks like the Illuminati control the media. Yea, it might be time for a reality check.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

RT9000 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:59:09 GMT

Tired and Old,

If the only thing you can find to say negative about Clinton is Monica Lewinsky, then he must have been a really good president (he was). Quite frankly, that was the most ridiculous excuse for a scandal that the repugs and the right could possibly invent!

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

Education Voter — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:54:19 GMT

I hope Pres. elect Obama picks fmr. Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. Cajoled the Mississippi legislature to pass the largest teacher pay raise in history, instituted teacher accountability and made Mississippi the first state in the nation to put a computer in every classroom. When was the last time you saw Mississippi first in education? Currently an adjunct professor at Univ. of Mississippi. He undestands the challenges schools in high poverty districts face. Musgrove is the person Obama needs to fix NCLB.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

singlays — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:28:31 GMT

No matter the orientation of the next Education Secretary, it is hoped that the dialogue follow this line of understanding:

This is the first of three posts I will be making over the next few weeks concerning one of the most prevalent problems in teaching today.

Our educational system is a mass of contradiction. It is peopled by smart, dedicated professionals at every level. It has access to jaw-dropping technology and is supported by massive amounts of money from local, state and federal agencies. It has every reason to be the best educational system in the world. Yet the plain truth is, nationally the system is failing. Too high a percentage of our students are failing because, in spite of all of this, we are failing our students.

There’s no point in citing the statistics; we’ve all heard plenty about falling test scores, dropout rates and teen illiteracy. When we hear such things, it hurts. And it hurts more because we have the money, the knowledge and the people we need to succeed. So although there are high-achieving schools and school districts, compared to what we should be achieving nationally, the system is failing.

Nearly all educational professionals are clear on the results they’d like to see: students interested and involved in learning, higher academic achievement, lower absenteeism, and improved discipline. But, statistically, we can all see that things are getting worse—not better.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

OldTeacher — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:50:48 GMT

Richard Elmore of Harvard. Katie Haycock of Ed Trust. Someone who cares more about kids than adults.

re: What Kind of Education Secretary Will Obama Pick?

martialguy — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:29:50 GMT

Education is an uphill battle

Parents are stripped bare of power to effectively discipline their children when they get too spoiled rotten. Juvies, and pens substituted parents' whips.

Science and math became... geeky subjects. TV, sports, music and videogames became educators. Chidren are predominantly taught to believe the world was created almost...overnight