Obama’s choices for Education Secretary

November 24, 10:24 PMEducation Headlines ExaminerAndrea Hermitt

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Rumors abound about who President Elect Obama whill select as the new Education Secretary.

CNN’s Short list  suggests

Linda Darling-Hammond was education advisor to Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign and is also the Charles E. Ducommon Professor of Education at Stanford University.  Her focus is on school restructuring, teacher education, and educational equity.

Joel Klein is the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, which is the largest public school system in the US.  With the help of Bill Gates he has created 43 small high schooled in New York City and improved graduation rages from 53% at the old schools to 73% at the new schools. 

Thomas Kean is the former governor of New Jersey, an d was also President of drew University where he upgraded the University’s campus and academic programs.

Arne Duncan is the current Chief Education Officer of the Chicago Public Schools.  He has worked to enhance education opportunities on Chicago’s South Size before becoming Deputy Chief for Staff.

According to Associated Press, his choices are: 

Former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes is known for focusing on smaller teacher-pupil ration and accountability by raising academic standards. 

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was named one of the five best governors in America and is praised for eliminating debt and supporting public education. 

Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago public schools (mentioned above)

Linda Darling-Hammond, education professor at Stanford University (mentioned above)

Colin Powell, former secretary of state, former chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In 1991, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans which “which "honors the achievements of outstanding individuals in U.S. society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education." (Wikipedia)

The New American Foundation  guesses at:

Wade Horn is an American psychologist who is given credit for revising the Federal Head Start program.  He was president of the national Fatherhood Initiative and is a strong advocate for “abstinence education”.

Joan Lombardi is one of the nations leading experts on childhood education.  As director of the Children’s Project she is an advisor to organizations that support children and families. 

Olivia Golden is a welfare reform, and child and family policy and is also on Obama’s transition team.

George Askew is a pediatrician who founded Docs for Tots, a group that advocates investments and early education for young children. 

Rob Dugger founded the partnership for America’s Economic Success.  He serves on Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s Strong start Pre-Kindergarten Counsel. 

Personally  I would bet on the people mentioned in two of the three articles, Arne Duncan, or Linda Darling-Hammond.