Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Speaks at the National Press Club

The luncheon was organized by Debra Silimeo, Senior Vice President at Hager Sharp and a member of The National Press Club’s Speakers Committee.  Silimeo, who oversees the education team at Hager Sharp, invited the Secretary to the Press Club to share his ideas on reforming our nation’s education system to the greater education community.  Sitting at the head table alongside the Secretary were journalists, the head of a teachers’ association, a principal and the 2010 Teacher of the Year, Sarah Brown.  

The Secretary focused his talk on the “quiet revolution” that he sees building in our nation’s schools. Duncan said there are many initiatives to improve education taking root at the local level, involving caring parents, teachers, and community members, and highlighted the work of several states and those involved in creating Common Core Standards.

Secretary Duncan also used the luncheon as a platform to announce the 19 finalists for the 2nd round of the “Race to the Top” competition.