21 January 2009
The Cabinet
Education
Secretary Arne Duncan
Confirmed, January 20
Arne Duncan was selected by President-elect Barack Obama on December 16, 2008, to be the next secretary of education. Duncan was the head of the Chicago public school system — the third largest in the country. He previously ran an educational institute in Chicago. Prior to that, Duncan played professional basketball in Australia. (See “Road to the White House.”)
Duncan’s confirmation hearing took place January 13. The text of Duncan's prepared testimony (PDF, 5 pages) is available on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Web site.
The Department of Education, established 1980
Mission: To promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
Staff: 4,200 employees
Duties: The department sets national education priorities, collects and distributes research on education, distributes federal financial aid for education and works to ensure equal access to education. In the United States, state and local governments have primary control of education, and the department supports their efforts.
History: The original federal agency for education was created in 1867 to collect information on schools and teaching and to assist states in establishing effective school systems. The Department of Education was established as a Cabinet-level entity in 1980 by combining various agencies from other departments.
International engagement: The department’s International Education Programs within the Office of Postsecondary Education administers grants for American students to study foreign languages and international relations abroad.
Fun fact: The department provides more than $91 billion each year in aid to college students.
More Information: http://www.ed.gov
