Ed Secretary Arne Duncan to step down
Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Friday that he is departing the Obama administration after seven years.
Duncan announced his decision in letter sent to Department of Education staff, and delivered formal remarks at the White House.
{mosads}Duncan’s departure is notable as it leaves Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as the President Obama’s sole remaining original cabinet member.
Obama is tapping Education official John King, Jr. as Duncan’s replacement, AP added. He is not nominating King as Duncan’s permanent replacement, however.
As secretary of education, he instituted the Race to the Top competition that asked states to vie for federal grants by proposing reforms to the educational systems, including through expanding charter schools.
Duncan also worked with the administration on a plan announced in 2013 to begin rating colleges based on their performance and costs. That initiative came with the backdrop of rising higher education costs for many families.
He’s had a tempestuous relationship with teachers unions. The National Education Association passed a resolution of “no confidence” in him in 2014, and asked him to resign. The American Federation of Teachers passed a similar resolution that year, saying Duncan should resign if he did not improve.
Duncan is also known for being, like Obama, a hoops junkie. He played professionally in Australia, and while serving as secretary of Education appeared in several NBA All-Star Weekend celebrity games.
King currently serves as delegated deputy secretary at Education. He overseas preschool through high school education and manages department operations there.
King is also responsible for coordinating the Department of Education’s efforts with President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper task force.
Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) praised Duncan’s contributions in a statement released Friday afternoon.
“Arne Duncan was one of the president’s best appointments,” Alexander said. “He has a big heart, cares about children and I have enjoyed working with him.”
“When we disagree, it is usually because he believes the path to effective teaching, higher standards and real accountability is through Washington, D.C., and I believe it should be in the hands of states, communities, parents and classroom teachers.”
Amie Parnes contributed.
This story was last updated at 4:16 p.m.
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